War of 1812 Sometimes called the Second American

War of 1812 Sometimes called the Second American Revolution

Causes of the War: Economics Jefferson’s Embargo Act of 1807 + Madison’s Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 = Lost revenues and high unemployment + an economic recession that led to a deep depression

Causes of the War: Neutral Rights • British and French naval ships stopped and boarded our vessels • Both countries confiscated our cargos • British navy continued to impress our sailors • Interfered with our “Freedom of the Seas”

Causes of the War: Indian Troubles • Americans were certain the British were supplying guns to the Native Americans in the Northwest Territory

Causes of the War: Land Incentives • Americans wanted land for expansion (resources, trade, $, power, etc. ) • Canada (owned by the British) • Florida (owned by the Spanish)

American Preparedness and Willingness to Fight • Small army and small navy • No national bank to organize bonds, loans, payments, etc. • “Warhawks” from southern western states wanted with Britain…(led by Clay from Kentucky)… “War Fever” & war Henry they had

American Preparedness and Willingness to Fight • Federalists from New England did not want war and organized the Hartford Convention • wanted to nullify acts of Congress • considered seceding from the US… • merchants from New England continued to sell goods to Britain

Military Events of War of 1812 • Northern Theatre: Canada (1812 -1814) • Central Theatre: Washington DC (Summer, 1814) • Southern Theatre: New Orleans, LA (January 1815) • War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean (1812 -1814)

Northern Theatre: Canada (1812 -14) • US attacked Canada crossing the Great Lakes • Britain attacked US crossing the Great Lakes • Fought to a stalemate on Lake Erie • Canadian Parliament building was burned by by

Central Theatre: Washington DC (Summer, 1814) • British captured and burned Washington, DC • British tried and failed to capture Baltimore • Francis Scott Key wrote Star-Spangled Banner (the poem was set to an old English tavern song)

Southern Theatre: New Orleans, LA (Jan 1815) • US Army General A. Jackson, with help from Jean Laffite and his pirates, beat the British • Battle of New Orleans occurred after Treaty of Ghent was signed (Dec 1814)

War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean (1812 -14) • US Navy had 6 “frigates” – 36 to 44 guns (cannons) • USA authorized 500+ “privateers” • British Navy had: 200 “battle ships” (17 near USA) – 64 to 74 guns 250 “frigates” (30 near USA) - plus lots of smaller support ships

War at Sea: Atlantic Ocean (1812 -14) • US Navy defeated three British frigates in 1812 • US Navy used “guerilla” tactics (hit and run) • US captured over 1500 British ships (military + merchant vessels) • British blockaded most US ports during war • British cut US imports and exports by 80%

Results of the War of 1812 • Land – no change in geographic boundaries • Impressment – the British stopped taking our men for their navy • Foreign Respect – Americans defended themselves against Great Britain, a military super-power…again

Results of the War of 1812 • Isolationism – Americans did not want to get involved in European problems and Europeans should not get involved in ours • Nationalism – increased pride and patriotism in America

Results of the War of 1812 • Westward Expansion – Native Americans were nearly gone from east of the Mississippi River…meant more land for white settlers • Growth of Manufacturing – increased economic and business activity to provide materials for war…stimulated the economy

Results of the War of 1812 • Collapse of Federalist Party – Federalists were considered traitors…lost all political power • Andrew Jackson – new national hero – was elected president in 1828

Results of the War of 1812 • National Anthem - Francis Scott Key wrote poem Star Spangled Banner…became the US national anthem in 1931

War of 1812 An important little war