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By the time Abraham Lincoln and Charles Darwin were dead—the American murdered by a pro-slavery terrorist in 1865, the Englishman after a long illness in 1882—the shape of history had changed, and the lives they had led and the things they had said had done a lot to change it. Two small splashes had helped to change the tide of time. Very different beliefs, ones that we now treat as natural and recognize as just part of the background hum of our time, were in place. People were beginning to understand that the world was very, very old, and that the animals and plants in it had changed dramatically over the eons—and though just how they had changed was still debated, the best guesses, then as now, involved slow alteration through a competition for resources over a very long time. People were convinced, on the whole, that democratic government, arrived at by reform or revolution, was a plausible and strong way to organize a modern nation. (A giant statue, one of the largest since antiquity, of a goddess of Liberty was under construction in once-again Republican France to be sent to a vindicated Republican America, to commemorate this belief.) Slavery in the Western world was finished. (Although racism wasn't.)
O, say can you see…An Introduction to the causes of The War of 1812 “America’s second war for independence”
Key Terms EMBARGO – a ban on exports BLOCKADE – to seal up an enemy country’s ports in prevention of shipping (and receiving) IMPRESSMENT – the practice of seizing Americans at sea and drafting them into the British Navy WAR HAWKS – members of Congress who aggressively pushed the US toward war
War Hawks • What the war hawks wanted: • Territorial Expansion(Canada, FL) • Defending independence • Enforcing Indian removal
Well-Known War Hawks Hawks were young, radical and vocal in the Democratic-Republican Congress. Mostly from southern and western (frontier) states John C. Calhoun (SC) Henry Clay (KY) Speaker of the house and recognized figurehead of the warhawks during the war of 1812.
What was going on in America leading up to the War of 1812? • Thomas Jefferson (VA) • reelected in 1804 • James Madison (VA) • elected in 1808 • Shipping was a major industry • GB and FR were at war • lead to blockades • American shipping suffers • approximately 1500 American ships seized by both FR and GB, cargoes confiscated
Other Causes • Although France was also at fault, the US focused their aggression toward Great Britain. • Why was this???? • In part, because of the British policy of impressment • Also because of the “Chesapeake Incident”
Other Causes The U.S.S. Chesapeake Incident • June 1807, American frigate out of Norfolk VA • British commander killed 3, wounded 18 Americans when refused permission to board in search of British deserters • Americans (especially war hawks!) were outraged • President Jefferson further driven to action The USS Chesapeake and HMS Leopard
Other Causes • THE EMBARGO ACT OF 1807 • The US responds • December 22, 1807, President Thomas Jefferson retaliates with economic sanctions, embargo • His hope was for “peaceful coercion” • The result?...
Other Causes • Embargo Act of 1807 • results in devastation among New England merchants • restricts shipments • designed to economically disable GB and France • instead spells disaster for the American Economy • Repealed in 1809 with the Non-Intercourse Act • WITH THE EXCEPTION OF GREAT BRITAIN AND FRANCE, shipping could resume
Check your understanding… • In your own words, what was president Jefferson’s reason for the Embargo Act of 1807? • Did it have the intended effect? What was its result, instead?
Do-Later France and Great Britain have been involved in Napoleonic wars for some time, and the neutral United States has slowly been drawn into the conflict between the nations. • Write a proposal to Congress persuading them to declare war (on GB, FR, or both?) OR • Write a proposal to Congress persuading them to remain neutral. Why? Be SPECIFIC in your reasons. You may use your notes & book!
Francis Scott Key • Held captive 8 miles away as Fort McHenry (near Baltimore) was attacked by the British • Attorney • Penned the poem that became “The Star Spangled Banner”
The Burning of the White House James Madison Dolley Madison
The Burning of the White House • A national treasure, salvaged in the final moments
Something to think about… • Some historians refer to the War of 1812 as America’s second war for independence… • What parallels or similarities exist between the War of 1812 and the Revolutionary War?
The Battle of Tippecanoe The Prophet William H. Harrison
U.S.S. Constitution “Old Ironsides”
Battle of Lake Erie Oliver Hazard Perry “We have met the enemy, and they are ours!”
