10.3 Foreign Powers

1. 10.3 Foreign Powers • Let’s see, who is the problem yet again?

2. Jefferson’s Foreign Policy • Jefferson wanted to keep the U.S. separate from other countries but this was impossible even back in those days because: • American merchants were busy shipping and trading around the world. • (and they had been for a very long time)

3. The Louisiana Purchase brought Americans into contact with colonization from other countries. • The U.S. had little control over actions of other countries.

4. Problems with France and England • The U.S. benefitted from conflicts in Europe (Louisiana Purchase) • And shippers took over European trade interrupted by wars there. • In 1805 the British had enough of this and decided to blockade shipping from America.

5. (some things never change) • That, in turn, made France mad and they set up their own new rules for shipping. • This put the U.S. merchants in a bad position having to choose once again between France and Britain.

6. Britain also kidnapped (impressed) U.S. sailors, many of them civilians, and forced them to work on British ships (6000 Americans). • Naturally, Americans didn’t look kindly on this.

7. Trade As a Weapon • Instead of declaring war Jefferson asked Congress to pass legislation to stop all foreign trade (not very realistic). • Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807 which kept American ships out of foreign ports and kept British (just British?) ships out of U.S. ports.

8. (trade not so useful as a weapon) • The Embargo Act was more harmful to the U.S. than to the British and French (who could have seen that coming?). • The Embargo Act became a huge issue in the election of 1808. • Madison won the election and the Embargo Act was repealed before he took office.

9. Tecumseh and Native American Unity • Americans were furious with the British for the following reasons: • Interference with shipping • Impressments of sailors • Believed they were still stirring up trouble with Native Americans in the Northwest Territory (who knew?!).

10. Thousands of white settlers streamed into the Ohio River Valley and there were confrontations with Native Americans who lived there. • Tecumseh thought if he could unite the Indian tribes he could drive the whites out.

11. While Tecumseh was gone recruiting for his alliance, the Shawnee were defeated. • William Henry Harrison beat them at the Battle of Tippecanoe (important, remember this) which was a huge setback for Tecumseh.

12. War Hawks • After the Battle of Tippecanoe, Tecumseh and his allies found a home with the British in Canada. • They became British allies which made the Americans even angrier.

13. Henry Clay of Kentucky (he was Speaker of the House at the time)called for war with Britain. • Westerners like Clay were called War Hawks. • War Hawks wanted British aid to the Native Americans stopped and wanted the British out of Canada. • (more land for the U.S. and less problems with the Indians all in one quick fix  ).

14. War with England…again… • Other Americans wanted war because of problems with trade and impressments. • This had interfered drastically with trade and shipping. (Don’t keep us from making money.) • Congress declared war on Britain on June 18, 1812.