THE WAR OF 1812 The Second War of

THE WAR OF 1812 “The Second War of Independence”

Background • New President- James Madison • Nonintercourse Act of 1809 • Trade with all nations except Britain and France • 1810 -Macon’s Bill No. 2 • Trade resumed with Britain and France • If Britain or France interfered, President could impose an embargo • Britain continued to seize cargo and impress soldiers • France also seized cargo • Madison resumed embargo on Britain

War Hawks • Young congressmen who wanted country to declare war on Britain • War hawks vs. war doves • What was their platform? • National honor • Annexation of Canada • Conquest of Florida • Free Trade • Free the US from European countries not respecting our independence

Opposition to the War • New England Merchants • Large profits from Napoleon’s war in Europe • Impressment was a small inconvenience • Federalist politicians • Believed Democratic-Republicans wanted the war to conquer Canada and Florida • “Quids” or “Old” Democratic-Republicans • Violated their belief in a small federal government • Violated the policy of neutrality

The War of 1812 • In June 1812, Madison asks for a declaration of war • Country divided • Early fighting was in Canada • U. S. easily defeated by the British • Britain invaded US in 1814 • Seized Washington D. C. and burns White House • Famous Dolly Madison (no not the ice cream!) story about saving the portraits of prior presidents

• 1814 -The defense of Fort Mc. Henry • http: //militaryhistory. ab out. com/od/warof 1812/ p/ftmchenry. htm • “Star Spangled Banner”-American forces push back a British invasion at Fort Mc. Henry in Baltimore

Naval Battles • Late 1812 • USS Constitution • “Old Ironsides” • Defeated numerous British merchant ships and 5 British warships off the coast of Nova Scotia • 1813 -Lake Erie • Captain Oliver Hazard Perry- “We have met the enemy and they are ours. ”

• 1813 • William Henry Harrison • Battle of Thames River • 1814 • U. S. defeat a British fleet on Lake Champlain • British abandon their plan to invade New York and New England

Conflict with Native Americans • Tecumseh was a Shawnee Indian • Favored complete separation from white settlers and a revival of Indian culture • Many Indian tribes tried to assimilate with whites • In 1810, Tecumseh called for attacks on American frontier settlements • In November 1811, William Henry Harrison destroyed Prophetstown (Indiana) at the Battle of Tippecanoe- “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too”

Andrew Jackson “Old Hickory” • Very patriotic • Fought in American Revolution • How did he get his nickname? • Jackson fends off attack with left hand • Suffered wounds on hand face

The Battle of Horseshoe Bend • March 1814 • Present day Alabama • General Jackson defeated the Creek Nation • Opened up large amounts of territory for white settlement

The Battle of New Orleans • Battle of New Orleans (January 1815) • Word that the Treaty of Ghent had been signed had not reached New Orleans • Jackson become a national hero

Treaty of Ghent • Treaty ended the War of 1812 • Halted fighting • Recognized the prewar boundary between Canada and the United States • Why did the treaty not address? • Problems that led to war • Britain made no agreement to stop impressment or seizing of cargo • **Tremendous sense of nationalism** • Starts the “Era of Good Feelings” (1815 -1824)

The Hartford Convention • In December 1814, New England Federalists gathered in Hartford to discuss problems or grievances with their party • Domination of the government by Virginia Presidents- “Virginia Dynasty” • New England’s declining influence in the Union due to westward expansion • Wanted to amend The Constitution: eliminate 3/5 Compromise and require a 2/3 majority of Congress for admission of new states, declaration of war, and laws restricting trade

• HC finished just as Andrew Jackson won the Battle of New Orleans • HC made Federalists look unpatriotic • Other reasons why the Federalist party died: • Their urban economy represented a small minority • Elitism and distrust of popular self-government make them unpopular