120 likes | 269 Views
The War of 1812. The Condition of the US for War. American military ill-prepared Only 7,000 men in the regular forces Commanding senior officers were old, incompetent or lacked experience. Congress reluctant to spend necessary funds on equipment and supplies.
E N D
The Condition of the US for War • American military ill-prepared • Only 7,000 men in the regular forces • Commanding senior officers were old, incompetent or lacked experience. • Congress reluctant to spend necessary funds on equipment and supplies. • Volunteer soldiers were badly fed and clothed. • People in the New England states openly disapproved of the war
The Naval Fight • Lacked a strong navy, relied on privateers • The USS Constitution won a few notable duels with British warships • Old ironside • Britain still able to blockade the US coast
US Invasion of Canada • Although US thought taking over Canada would be easy, proved disastrous in first year • Lost Detroit • Lost Battle on Lake Champlain • Lost Battles at Canadian Border • A year later began to improve • Commander Perry defeated British fleet on Lake Erie • US soldiers retook Detroit • Tecumseh was killed at Battle of Thames = death of Native Confederacy
British Raids • British force refreshed from Europe in 1814 after Napoleon’s downfall • Began campaign up Chesapeake Bay burning and raiding town to town on Atlantic Coast • Easily defeated unorganized American troops outside DC • August 24, 1814 burned the Capitol, White House, and other public buildings • Fires wiped out by huge storm, hurt British too • Dolly Madison
Battle of Baltimore • British continued their advance to Baltimore • Unable to crack US defenses, • US sunk ships in harbor, Britain couldn’t advance • So Britain abandoned operation
Who do you think had the edge in the war? Do you think you could determine a winner of the war from what we have seen so far with Canada? DC? Naval Battles? Baltimore?
Negotiating a Treaty • Began in August 1814 in Ghent, Belgium • British hoped for some gains, but ultimately had no advantage over US • No control over Great Lakes • Raid on Washington had no significance • US won important naval battles
Treaty of Ghent • Signed Dec. 24, 1814 • Restored the Status Quo Ante Bellum (state of things before the war) • Agreed to determine US/Canadian border at a future date • No addressing of Impressment, although not really an issue with Napoleon gone
Battle of New Orleans • News of Treaty had not yet reached America • British troops under Gen. Pakenham attacked New Orleans Jan. 8, 1815 • ~4,000 US troops to ~8,000 British • American troops led by Andrew Jackson inflict 2,000 casualties (including killing Pakenham) • US lost 13.
Hartford Convention • N.E. Federalists fed up with Reps. • Disliked Louisiana Purchase • Disliked War preparations • GB blockade crippled their economy • Disliked 3/5s compromise • Met at Hartford Dec-Jan. to discuss cessation, passed a series of grievances • No trade embargo over 60 days • Require 2/3 Congressional majority for declaration of offensive war, admission of a new state, or interdiction of foreign commerce • Remove 3/5 slave representation advantage of South • Limit future Presidents to 1 term • Require each President to be from a different state than his predecessor. (Aimed directly at Virginia Dynasty.) The Hartford Convention, or 'Leap no leap', February 1815, by William Charles.
Results of War • News of treaty/success in New Orleans took any chance of Federalists regaining national popularity • Monroe, Madison's successor won election of 1816, Federalist party was finished • US gained more respect in foreign affairs, secured independence