The War of 1812 USVA History Unit 4

The War of 1812 USVA History Unit 4: The Early Republic SOL: VUS. 6

Background � Great Britain and France at war in 1803 � America proclaimed neutrality � The British and French both announce that they will confiscate any goods aboard ships coming to trade with their enemy. � What should the United States do?

British Navy: Not Very Impressive � The British Navy began stopping American trade ships and forcing the men to enlist. � This is known as impressment. � Tensions escalated further when a British ship opened fire on an American vessel killing 3 Americans for refusing to allow them to search their ship.

Embargo 1807 President Jefferson did not want to go to war. � Instead, he asked Congress to place an embargo which was a government ban on trading with European nations. � The embargo was repealed in 1809 after it began to hurt the economy in both the north (trade/manuf. ) and the south (agriculture). �

1808: A New President Our fourth President is elected: James Madison, also a Democratic. Republican � Madison wants to avoid war at all costs as well. � He passes the Non. Intercourse Act which banned trade with both Britain and France and would reopen trade with whichever country dropped its trade restrictions against the United States first. �

A Different Route: Macon’s Bill No. 2 In 1810, Congress replaces the Non. Intercourse Act with Macon’s Bill No. 2 which opened trade with both Britain and France and promised both that if they dropped their trade restrictions that we would stop trading with the other. � French leader, Napoleon, agrees and the United States stopped trading with Britain. �

Too Little, Too Late � The British economy was hurt by the Americans refusal to trade. � By 1812 the British attempted to drop trade restrictions but it was too late. � The United States had declared war on Great Britain.

Americans Declaring War � � � Influences… Impressment of sailors “War Hawks” • Congressmen from the South and Western regions pushing for war. • Southern planters hurt tremendously by the British stealing their cash crops sent to Europe. � Clashes with Native Americans in the west were blamed on the British for giving them guns and encouraging them to attack the Americans.

Americans Ill-prepared for War Heavy division among people either supporting the war or against it. � Army only had 7, 000 troops who were poorly equipped. � The national bank charter had run out and Dem. Republicans wouldn’t recharter it so the government couldn’t take out loans. � • Most banks were in the NE and they didn’t support the war.

Invading Canada The United States invades Canada unsuccessfully on three different occasions. � With the focus on Canada and the defeat of Napoleon’s French military the British focused on Washington, D. C. � They invaded D. C. and burned it to the ground and headed for Baltimore. �

The Star-Spangled Banner is Born The Americans were ready for the British when they arrived at Fort Mc. Henry in Baltimore. � The Americans successfully defended the fort and pushed back the British. � Francis Scott Key, an American prisoner aboard a British ship watching the battle wrote a poem which would later become our national anthem. �

A New Hero Emerges in New Orleans � The British were also defeated in New Orleans at the mouth of the Mississippi by General Andrew Jackson. � The war drew to a close with both sides agreeing to an armistice (ceasefire). � Neither side surrendered nor claimed victory.

The Treaty of Ghent � The war was ended with the Treaty of Ghent signed on December 24 th, 1814. � Prewar boundary lines were restored between the United States and British Canada. � They both did agree to claim the Oregon territory in the Northwest jointly.

Impacts of the War of 1812 � Increased prestige and respect for the United States military throughout the world � Renewed spirit of patriotism and nationalism in the country. � The Federalists party greatly weakened by their lack of support for the war.