The War of 1812

What are some major events leading to The War of 1812?
US shipping was being harassed, and cargo was seized.
Britain required licenses for ships bound for Europe
France confiscated cargo from licensed ships
Impressment of American sailors
Many British sailors became naturalized US citizens and deserted British vessels and joined American crews.
British Navy kidnapped these sailors off American ships and had them rejoin the British Navy

What are some major events leading to The War of 1812?
Economic Diplomacy Fails
Embargo Act of 1807 halted all trade with Europe
Embargo is a government ban on trade with other countries
Embargo was unpopular in port cities, especially in the North

Jefferson FarewellEnter James Madison
Jefferson did not want to run for a 3rd term
Madison was Jefferson’s Secretary of State
Madison was an author of 30 of the 81 the Federalist Papers (including No. 10 and No. 51)
Considered the most important contributor to the Constitution
Also the shortest President

What was Madison’s role leading up to The War of 1812?
Non-Intercourse Act
Forbade trade with France and Britain; however President could reopen trade when either France or Britain lifted restrictions
Was this successful? Why or Why not
War Hawks
Southern congressmen favored war, even though it hurt the east
Why did the War Hawks want war?

What were some of the benefits of going to war with Britain?
To allow reopening of trade
National Pride
To stop the impressment of sailors
CANADA!!!

What were some drawbacks to going to war?
Not everyone in the US wanted to go to war
Military was small
Standing Army was small
Militia comprised most of our forces, and they did not like to fight outside of their state borders
Navy was quite small only 22 ships
Britain was a great Superpower and could crush us like a bug and we could lose territory that was gained in the Treaty of Paris or the Louisiana Purchase

Declaration of War
June of 1812 Madison asked Congress for declaration of war
Vote was split along regional lines
War started with Invasion of Canada

Key Battles
US Burns York (now Toronto)
US figured the Canadians would welcome the Americans and quickly join the US to expel Britain from North America…this did not happen
Perry Defeated the British on Lake Erie
This gave the US control of Lake Erie
Britain Blockades the Eastern Seaboard
This prevented shipping from leaving, and made the war more unpopular in the Northeast

The Roof is on Fire…
In August 1814, British Forces Sailed into Chesapeake Bay and capture Washington D.C.
They burn the White House and the Capitol
Madison and Congress Barely escape

Oh Say Can You See…
Unlike D.C., Baltimore was Ready for the British
The City militia inflicted heavy casualties on the British
After bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814 The British abandon the attack
Francis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment and penned a poem which becomes the National Anthem.

Treaty of Ghent
Treaty was Negotiated in Europe and was signed on Dec. 24, 1814 ending the war of 1812
The War ended in a stalemate, where no party gained or lost any territory.
The issue of impressment was not addressed, but faded on its own.

Battle of New Orleans
Fought after the treaty was signed (but not ratified)
Why was New Orleans important?
Pirates and Frontiersman fought alongside US troops
Made Andrew Jackson a National hero and household name
Ensured treaty ratification

If The War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important?
Gave the United States a National Identity
We were able to hold our own against the British
Started us thinking about continuing westward expansion
Ended bad feelings toward the British
Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the Western Frontiersmen