Causes of War of 1812 Napoleonic Wars 1803

Causes of War of 1812 • Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1815) – France and Britain engage in economic warfare – Berlin and Milan Decrees (France): restrict trade with England – Orders of Council (Great Britain): restrict trade with France • Impressment of American sailors – British capture American ships (6, 000 sailors seized by 1807) – Violation of “Freedom of the Seas” • Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807) – British kill 3 Americans, injure 17 – Public wants retaliation • U. S. attempts economic warfare – Embargo Act (1807): prohibits all international trade to and from American ports – Non-Intercourse Act (1809): allowed trade with all nations except Britain and France – Macon’s Bill #2 (1810): authorized reopening of trade with Britain or France depending on who treated the U. S. properly

• President James Madison – Wins Election of 1808 and 1812 • “War Hawks” in Congress – SW, elected in 1810 demand WAR against Britain and Spain – Led by John Calhoun (SC) and Henry Clay (KY) • Tecumseh and Battle of Tippecanoe – Shawnee chief unite Ohio tribes against American settlers – Americans believe British in Canada were encouraging Indian raids – Governor William Henry Harrison defeats Indians (Nov. 1811) • Madison attempts diplomatic measures – Sends war message to Congress on June 1, 1812 – Republicans help push war declaration through – Federalists strongly oppose war • WAR – June 18, 1812 – “Free Trade and Sailors’ Rights”