Embedded Files
REMEMBER…France and Britain are fighting the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.
CAUSES OF THE WAR OF 1812
America wants to remain neutral
Britain was impressing American sailors into the Royal Navy
Britain created a blockade of American ports
*The British interference with American trade hurt the U.S. economy *British and Native Americans clashed with American settlers over land in the west.
THE UNITED STATES' RESPONSE (Economy / Impressment)
THE UNITED STATES' RESPONSE (Economy / Impressment)
1807: The Embargo Act is passed, banning trade with ALL foreign countries to punish Britain and France
The Embargo Act failed because it caused American merchants to lose money and had little effect on Britain and France.
1808: James Madison becomes the 4th President of the United States
Jefferson did not want to run for a 3rd term
Madison was Jefferson’s Secretary of State
Considered the father of the Constitution
Fun Fact: Madison is the shortest President at 5’4”
1809: Congress replaced unpopular Embargo Act with Non-Intercourse Act
Banned trade only with Britain, France, and their colonies
U.S. trade would resume with first side to stop violating American neutrality
Law was no more successful than Embargo Act
War Hawks: Southern congressmen who favored war against Britain
Led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun
Wanted to take Canada which was held by the British
Said we would lose our independence if we didn’t fight!
New Englanders (Northerners)
Merchants & businessmen opposed war
WHY? Relied on trade with Britain
BENEFITS OF GOING TO WAR WITH BRITIAIN?
No more embargo: reopening trade = $$$
Patriotism - National Pride
Stop the impressment of American sailors
Gain Canada (more land / resources)
DRAWBACKS OF GOING TO WAR WITH BRITAIN?
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
War Declared
Republican James Madison was re-elected president in 1812.
Congress declared war for the first time in the nation’s history.
Native Americans and the War of 1812
Native Americans and the War of 1812
Tecumseh
Tecumseh Resists U.S. Settlers
Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, emerged as leader.
Hoped to unite Native Americans of northwestern frontier, the South, and the eastern Mississippi Valley.
Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh founded a village near Tippecanoe and Wabash rivers in Indiana Territory.
Tecumseh was a brilliant speaker and leader.
He wanted to unite the Native Americans to resist settlers.
Governor William Henry Harrison warned Tecumseh not to resist power of the United States.
William Henry Harrison led army in attack on village in 1811.
Was worried that with British backing, Tecumseh could be a serious threat to U.S. power in the West.
U.S. forces won Battle of Tippecanoe, and Tecumseh fled to Canada.
3. What were the key events, turning points, and outcome of the War of 1812?
3. What were the key events, turning points, and outcome of the War of 1812?
Battle of Lake Erie- (1813)
Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British on Lake Erie. This gave the US control of Lake Erie
Battle of Thames- (1813)
Gen. William Henry Harrison marches into Canada and defeats the British & Native Americans
British Attacks in East
British attacked Washington, D.C., in 1814.
Set fire to White House, Capitol, and other buildings.
Americans refused to surrender, and British retreated.
Battle of Baltimore
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 called “the star-spangled banner” which became our National Anthem.
4. Why was the Battle of New Orleans significant to Louisiana and the United States?
4. Why was the Battle of New Orleans significant to Louisiana and the United States?
Battle of New Orleans
British moved against New Orleans.
Hoped to capture city and control Mississippi River.
Jean Lafitte
British military officials sought Lafitte's help in their campaign to attack the U.S. from the Gulf of Mexico.
Lafitte decided to warn American authorities and offered to help defend New Orleans in exchange for a pardon for his men.
Andrew “Ole Hickory” Jackson commanded U.S. forces at New Orleans
Troops included regular soldiers, free African Americans, Choctaws, state militia, and pirates.
Battle began on January 8, 1815, with 5,300; British troops against about 4,500 Americans.
British caught in open field; more than 2,000 casualties.
American victory at Battle of New Orleans made Jackson a hero and was last major conflict of the war.
Ending the War
A group of New England Federalists were going to Hartford Convention to oppose war, but the war ended before the convention.
Treaty of Ghent: ended the war on December 24, 1814 ( before negotiators knew of New Orleans).
Effects of the War
Increased sense of national pride (Patriotism)
American manufacturing boosted
Native American resistance weakened
Page updated
Report abuse