The American Journey Ch. 7: Foreign Affairs in the Early Republic

1. Section 1: A Time of Conflict The American JourneyCh. 7:Foreign Affairs in the Early Republic

2. Pirates!!! • That’s right! Piracy was a huge problem in the early 1800’s, especially along North Africa (“The Coast of High Barbary”) and…you guessed it…the Caribbean.

3. America/Tripoli conflict • The largest conflict was with Tripoli, who demanded tribute, protection money, to allow European ships to pass safely. • In 1804, pirates captured the American U.S.S. Philadelphia and towed it to Tripoli Harbor. • U.S. Navy captain Stephen Decatur and a small crew broke into Tripoli Harbor and burned the ship so it couldn’t be used. • Eventually Tripoli agreed to stop demanding tribute, but the U.S. paid $60,000 for the release of the American prisoners.

4. Impressment and Embargo • During the early 1800’s Britain was at war with France. • They stopped American ships from trading with France and searched the ships. • This was called impressment. • President Jefferson responded with the 1807 Embargo Act, which stopped all foreign trade. • It was a disaster and only hurt the U.S.

5. Another Dilemma… • James Madison became president in 1808. • He inherited tensions with Britain and France. • In addition, Ohio had become a state in 1803, and white settlers were moving onto lands that had been guaranteed to Natives. • Shawnee chief Tecumseh banded several tribes together with British and Canadian backing.

6. Battles with the Natives • Tecumseh and his brother, Tenskwatawa (“The Prophet”) sent word to Ohio governor, William Henry Harrison, that they would look to the British for support. • Harrison responded by attacking their home, Prophetstown, and destroying it. • This was called The Battle of Tippecanoe, and it was hailed as a great American victory. • Was it?

7. War Hawks • The Natives fled to Canada, which seemed to show that Britain was aiding them. • Many Americans, especially the War Hawks, a young group of Republicans, insisted it was time to declare war on Britain. • They were known for nationalism, strong loyalty to one’s country. • War Hawks in the West wanted to kick the British out of Canada and take it.

8. War Hawks • War Hawks in the South wanted to seize Spanish Florida. • Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun were the most famous War Hawks, and under their advice, the U.S. army quadrupled in size and spending. • President Madison declared war in 1812. • However, by that time, Britain had stopped impressment. • But news traveled slowly, and war was already in motion…

9. Section 2: The War of 1812 The American JourneyCh. 7:Foreign Affairs in the Early Republic

10. The War of 1812 • In the beginning of the war, Americans suffered many losses, for they underestimated the British and Natives. • By 1813, however, Americans seized Lake Erie. In October, Tecumseh was killed. • The American Navy scored many important victories, especially due to the use of frigates, warships made of metal. • U.S.S. Constitution – “Old Ironsides”

11. The War of 1812 • Another important figure was Andrew Jackson. • His forces slaughtered more than 550 Creek Indians and forced them to surrender their lands. • He was later elected president. What do you think about this?

12. British Offensive of 1814 • By 1814, British forces had concluded their war with France and were able to focus on America. • In August 1814, British forces sailed to Washington, D.C. and set fire to the city, including the capitol building. • Thankfully a thunderstorm came along! • The British then marched on Baltimore, bombing Fort McHenry, but were driven back. • “The Star-Spangled Banner” (pg. 356)

13. The War of 1812 Ends • After defeats in Baltimore, Md. and Lake Champlain, N.Y., the British decided the war was too expensive. • However, while the peace treaty was being signed, one final battle, The Battle of New Orleans, was waged in 1815. • Andrew Jackson’s decisive victory helped assure his status as a hero, and his presidency in 1828.

14. The Federalists Weaken • The Federalists had always opposed the War of 1812. • However, when Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans and brokered peace, it made the Federalists look “unpatriotic.” • This weakened their party in Americans’ eyes. • Republicans enjoyed a huge surge in popularity and patriotism • The War Hawks help build a belief in western expansion, trade, and strong military.

15. Section 3: Foreign Relations The American JourneyCh. 7:Foreign Affairs in the Early Republic

16. The Era of Good Feelings • After the War of 1812, Americans felt very proud. • Americans felt superior to Europeans for the first time. • However, Americans needed European allies. • President Monroe signed a deal of disarmament, reduction in forces, with Britain in 1817. • America and Britain also set the northern border of the U.S. at the 49th parallel and created a demilitarized border along Canada—without military forces. • British and American diplomats also settled Oregon Country and worked out a deal along the 49th parallel.

17. Conflicts With Spain • In addition to Oregon, Americans wanted Florida, which Spain owned. • General Jackson invaded East Florida in 1818, which he was not ordered to do. • However, Secretary of State John Quincy Adams did not stop him. • Spain did not want war, and so they gave up Florida in the face of America’s military power. • This was the Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819.

18. Transcontinental Power & Mexico • With land from Florida to Oregon, the United States was now a transcontinental power. • Eventually Spain lost most of the Southwest to Mexico. • Mexico welcomed American settlers as a boost to Mexican economy. • But eventually they regretted this. • Americans began to want all Southwestern lands above Mexico.

19. War With Mexico • By 1845, Texas had broken from Mexico and become a state. • American settlers rose up against Mexican forces, and the Mexican-American War began. • You may have heard of the Alamo. • American forces defeated Mexico, and by 1848 America gained all Southwest lands (Ca., Az., N.M., etc.)

20. The Monroe Doctrine • In 1822, President Monroe worried about foreign powers’ trying to retake or settle in American territories. • The United States was supporting many Latin American revolutions (Venezuela, Colombia, Panama, Bolivia, Ecuador). • His Monroe Doctrine stated that any foreign expedition or interference, at home or abroad, within the Americas would be considered a threat.