The War of 1812

1. The War of 1812

2. What are some major events leading to the War of 1812? • U.S. shipping was being harassed, cargo was seized. • Britain required licenses for ships bound for Europe • France confiscated cargo from licensed ships • Impressment of American sailors • British Navy kidnapped sailors off American ships and had them join the British Navy

3. What are some major events leading to the War of 1812? • Economic Diplomacy Fails • Embargo Act of 1807 halted all trade with Europe • Embargo was unpopular in port cities, especially in the North

4. Farewell JeffersonEnter James Madison • Jefferson did not want to run for 3rdterm • Madison was Jefferson’s Secretary of State • Madison was an author of 30 of the 81 the Federalist Papers • Considered the most important contributor to the Constitution • Shortest President Why was it odd that Jefferson chose Madison as his Secretary of State?

5. Madison’s role leading up to the War of 1812? • Non-Intercourse Act • Forbade trade with France and Britain; • President could reopen trade Do you think this would be successful? • War Hawks • Southern Congressmen favored war with Britain, even though it hurt the North Why do you think the War Hawks want war?

6. Benefits of war with Britain? • Reopening of trade • National Pride • Stop the impressment of sailors • CANADA

7. Drawbacks to going to war? • Not everyone wanted to go to war • Military was small • Army made up mostly of state militias; did not like to fight outside of their state • Navy was small - only 22 ships • Britain was a great military superpower and, on paper, could crush us like a bug • Could lose territory

8. Native Populations Before the War • Natives could either become farmers and join White society or move west of the Mississippi • One Native American leader, Tecumseh, taught his followers to reject White culture and allied with the British • 1811: The Battle of Tippecanoe - U.S. forces attacked Tecumseh’s settlements, burning them to the ground.

9. Declaration of War • June, 1812: Madison asked Congress for declaration of war • Vote was split along regional lines • War started with invasion of Canada

10. War Begins! • August 1812: USS Constitution sank the British Guerriere • The naval war moved into the Great Lakes and the US wins the Battle of Lake Erie • Americans made several unsuccessful attempts at invading Canada • Tennessee militia leader Andrew Jackson led a force against the Creeks (Native tribe) at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend • Women, children, and warriors were massacred

11. The Roof is on Fire… • August 1814: British forces sailed into Chesapeake Bay, captured Washington D.C. • Burn the White House and the Capitol • Madison and Congress barely escape • Dolly Madison famously saves the portrait of George Washington

12. Oh Say Can You See… • Unlike D.C., Baltimore was ready for the British • City militia inflicted heavy casualties on the British • After bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814, British abandon the attack • Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment and penned a poem which becomes the National Anthem.

13. Treaty of Ghent • Treaty was negotiated in Europe • Signed on Dec. 24, 1814 ending the war of 1812 • The War ended in a stalemate, no one gained or lost any territory • The issue of impressment was not addressed, but faded on its own

14. Battle of New Orleans • Fought after the treaty was signed (but not ratified) • Pirates and frontiersman fought alongside U.S. troops • Made Andrew Jackson a national hero and household name • Ensured treaty ratification

15. If the War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important? • Gave the United States a national identity • Able to hold their own against the British • Started thinking about continuing westward expansion • Ended bad feelings toward the British • Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the western frontiersmen