Debating the WarDebating the War• Read the handout and Analyze arguments

for and against war. – Who makes a better case? Why?– Should the US become involved?– What were Madison’s reasons?

• Answer the following questions.– Why is this called America’s 2nd war of

independence?– Which causes were most important for

beginning the War of 1812?– Who was more responsible for the war,

Jefferson or Madison?– Which effects were most significant from the

war?– What were some examples of America’s new

nationalism?

What were the causes, main events and consequences of the War of 1812?

“Mr. Madison’s War”

Honor and the second war of independence

• “The other war hawks spoke of the struggle with Britain as a second war of independence; [Andrew] Jackson, who still bore scars from the first war of independence held that view with special conviction. The approaching conflict was about violations of American rights, but was it also about vindication of American identity". H.W. Brands 2006

1. Napoleonic Wars1. Napoleonic Wars1. Napoleonic Wars1. Napoleonic Wars

1806 1806 Berlin Decrees [“Continental Berlin Decrees [“Continental System”] System”]

1806 1806 Britain issued the “Orders in Britain issued the “Orders in Council.” Council.”

1807 1807 Milan Decrees – no trade with Milan Decrees – no trade with GBGB

1808-1811 1808-1811 Britain impressed over Britain impressed over 6,000 American 6,000 American sailors. sailors.

2. Chesapeake-Leopard 2. Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair”“Affair”

2. Chesapeake-Leopard 2. Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair”“Affair”-June 21, 1807.-June 21, 1807.

-Brit. Captain fired on -Brit. Captain fired on the USS Chesapeake.the USS Chesapeake.

-3 dead, 18 wounded.-3 dead, 18 wounded.

-Brit.Foreign Office -Brit.Foreign Office said it was a mistake.said it was a mistake.

-Jefferson’s Response:-Jefferson’s Response:

Forbade British ships to dock in Forbade British ships to dock in American ports.American ports.

Ordered state governors to call up Ordered state governors to call up as much as 100,000 militiamen.as much as 100,000 militiamen.

3. The Embargo Act 3. The Embargo Act (1807)(1807)

The “OGRABME” TurtleThe “OGRABME” Turtle

3. The Embargo Act 3. The Embargo Act (1807)(1807)

The “OGRABME” TurtleThe “OGRABME” Turtle

Embargo - 1807• Imposed in response to violations of neutrality• Americans saw the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair as a particularly

egregious example of a British violation of American neutrality• Was meant to provide economic hardships on GB and France • Backfired – hurt US more• The embargo undermined national unity in the U.S., provoking bitter

protests, especially in New England commercial centers • Jefferson also undermined the DR commitment to a limited

government• Sectional interests and individual liberties were violated by his

authorization of heavy-handed enforcement by federal authorities.• The embargo had the pernicious effect of simultaneously

undermining American citizens' faith that their government could execute its own laws fairly; and strengthened the conviction among America's enemies that her republican form of government was inept and

• Revoked in final days of Jefferson’s presidency in 1809

Presidential Election of Presidential Election of 18081808

Presidential Election of Presidential Election of 18081808

4. The Non-Intercourse 4. The Non-Intercourse Act Act (1809)(1809)

4. The Non-Intercourse 4. The Non-Intercourse Act Act (1809)(1809)

-Replaced the Embargo Act.-Replaced the Embargo Act.

-Remained U. S. policy until 1812.-Remained U. S. policy until 1812.

-Unexpected Consequences-Unexpected Consequences::

N. Eng. was forced to become self-N. Eng. was forced to become self-sufficient again [old factories sufficient again [old factories reopened].reopened].

Laid the groundwork for US Laid the groundwork for US industrial power.industrial power.

Jefferson, a critic of an industrial Jefferson, a critic of an industrial America, ironically contributed to America, ironically contributed to Hamilton’s view of the US!!!Hamilton’s view of the US!!!

Macon's Bill no. 2• responded to the ineffectiveness of the Non-Intercourse Act (1809)

and the Embargo Act before it • became law in the United States on May 14, 1810• intended to motivate Britain and France to stop seizing American

vessels during the Napoleonic Wars• The law lifted all embargoes with Britain and France (for three

months). If either one of the two countries ceased attacks upon American shipping, the United States would end trade with the other, unless that other country agreed to recognize the rights of the neutral American ships as well.

• general consensus among historians is that this bill was effectively useless, as it was quickly seen that the European economies played upon the weaknesses this bill created.

• As a result, the bill's parameters were never enforced• Ironically, Rep Nathanial Macon (NC) did not vote in favor of the

finished draft of the bill

5. Br. Instigation of 5. Br. Instigation of IndiansIndians

5. Br. Instigation of 5. Br. Instigation of IndiansIndians

British General Brock Meets with British General Brock Meets with TecumsehTecumseh

British General Brock Meets with British General Brock Meets with TecumsehTecumseh

“The white race is a wicked race. Since the days when the white race first came into contact with the red men, there has been a continual series of aggressions. The hunting grounds are fast disappearing, and they are driving the red man farther and farther to the west. Such has been the fate of the Shawnees, and surely will be the fate of all tribes if the power of the whites is not forever crushed.”

- Tecumseh

-General William Henry-General William HenryHarrison Harrison governor of governor ofthe Indiana Territory.the Indiana Territory.

-Invited Native Indian-Invited Native Indianchiefs to Ft. Wayne, INchiefs to Ft. Wayne, INto sign away 3 mil. acres to sign away 3 mil. acres of land to the US of land to the US government.government.

-Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian -Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelands.tribes to fight for their homelands.

-Tecumseh’s brother (the Prophet) fought -Tecumseh’s brother (the Prophet) fought against Harrison and was defeated at against Harrison and was defeated at Tippecanoe.Tippecanoe.

-This made Harrison a national hero!-This made Harrison a national hero![1840 election [1840 election Tippecanoe & Tyler, Tippecanoe & Tyler, too!too!]]

Battle of Tippecanoe, Battle of Tippecanoe, 18111811

Battle of Tippecanoe, Battle of Tippecanoe, 18111811

Tecumseh and the Prophet

• Although the war is often considered to have climaxed with William Henry Harrison's victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, Tecumseh's War essentially continued into the War of 1812 and is frequently considered a part of that larger struggle.

• Tecumseh was killed by Americans at the Battle of the Thames in Canada in 1813 and his confederacy disintegrated

• The tribes remaining in the newly-expanded U.S. signed treaties and were forced to sell their lands and moved west by the 1830s.

• In long-term context, historians place Tecumseh's War as the final conflict of the Sixty Years' War resulting in the European conquest of the Great Lakes region.

Pre-Cursors

to

War of 1812

““War Hawks”War Hawks”““War Hawks”War Hawks”

Henry Clay Henry Clay [KY][KY]

Henry Clay Henry Clay [KY][KY]

John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun [SC][SC]

John C. Calhoun John C. Calhoun [SC][SC]

Henry Letters

• The Henry Letters were created by a fraudster named John Henry. The letters reflected that the British government operating in Canada had employed him to try to persuade the New England states to leave the United States and join Canada. A bundle of letters was sold to President James Madison for $50,000. The letters were fraudulent, but both the President of the United States and the United States Congress were deceived, increasing tensions with the United Kingdom before the War of 1812

American ProblemsAmerican ProblemsAmerican ProblemsAmerican Problems-The US was unprepared militarily:-The US was unprepared militarily:

Had a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’sHad a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’s800 ships.800 ships.

Americans disliked a draft Americans disliked a draft preferred to enlist in the preferred to enlist in the disorganized state militias.disorganized state militias.

-Financially unprepared:-Financially unprepared:

Flood of paper $.Flood of paper $.

Revenue from import tariffs Revenue from import tariffs declined.declined.

-Regional disagreements.-Regional disagreements.

War of 1812

In the North

3 U. S. Invasions of 3 U. S. Invasions of 18121812

3 U. S. Invasions of 3 U. S. Invasions of 18121812

What groups might have made up the Fusion party?

What would De W Clinton later build?

Battle of Fort Battle of Fort McHenry,McHenry,

18141814

Battle of Fort Battle of Fort McHenry,McHenry,

18141814

Oh Say Can You SeeOh Say Can You SeeBy the Dawn’s Early Light…By the Dawn’s Early Light… -- -- Francis Scott KeyFrancis Scott Key

What is unusual about this flag?

What is going on in this cartoon?

War of 1812

In the

South

Treaty of GhentTreaty of GhentDecember 24, 1814December 24, 1814

Treaty of GhentTreaty of GhentDecember 24, 1814December 24, 1814

Treaty of Ghent

24 Dec 1814

BATTLE OF NEW ORLEANSNew Orleans, 1815

Herbert Morton Stoops

The Battle of New The Battle of New Orleans, 1815Orleans, 1815

The Battle of New The Battle of New Orleans, 1815Orleans, 1815

Jackson’s Florida Jackson’s Florida CampaignsCampaigns

Jackson’s Florida Jackson’s Florida CampaignsCampaigns

Outcome of the War of 1812

1. The “Second War for American Independence”

•Diplomatically, new respect for US

•Sectionalism, associated with New Eng, weakened

•Economically, manufacturing had been strengthened

•Internationally --

•Continued suspicions between US & Britain

•Rush-Bagot agreement, 1817

The US increasingly looked west

2. A new spirit of nationalism in America

3. New Leaders emerge

The Great Triumvirate

• HENRY CLAY of Kentucky, JOHN C. CALHOUN of South Carolina, and DANIEL WEBSTER of Massachusetts dominated national politics from the end of the War of 1812 until their deaths in the early 1850s. Although none would ever be President, the collective impact they created in Congress was far greater than any President of the era, with the exception of Andrew Jackson. There was one issue that loomed over the nation throughout their time in power — slavery. They were continuously successful in keeping peace in America by forging a series of compromises. The next generation's leaders were not.