The War of 1812

America's Second War for Independence?

Causes of the War?

Napoleonic Wars Warfare existed between France and England. Both nations attempted to blockade the other. By 1807, 1,500 US ships had been seized and their cargo confiscated. England began to impress US sailors into the British navy.

Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair” June 21, 1807 British ships on duty in Chesapeake Bay guarding against the French British sailors deserted and were given sanctuary by the Americans Some of the British deserters joined the crew of the USS Chesapeake The captain of the British ship Leopard was ordered to board and search US ships for British deserters

Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair” The crew of Leopard pursued, attacked, and boarded the American frigate British Captain fired on the USS Chesapeake USS Chesapeake was caught unaware and could not fight back Three died, and 18 were wounded

EMBARGO ACT Dec. 1807 Embargo Act forbade trade with other nations. This devastated New England trade and shipping.

Presidential Election of 1808

James Madison Becomes President

The Non-Intercourse Act (1809) Replaced the Embargo Act. Lifted ban on trade with all nations except Britain and France. Unexpected Consequences: N. Eng. was forced to become self-sufficient again [old factories reopened]. Laid the groundwork for US industrial power.

British Instigation of Indians

Battle of Tippecanoe, 1811 General William Henry Harrison  governor of the Indiana Territory. Invited Native Indian chiefs to Ft. Wayne, IN to sign away 3 mil. acres of land to the US government. Tecumseh organized a confederacy of Indian tribes to fight for their homelands. Tecumseh’s brother fought against Harrison and was defeated at Tippecanoe. This made Harrison a national hero! [1840 election  Tippecanoe & Tyler, too!]

“War Hawks” John C. Calhoun [SC] Henry Clay [KY]

American Problems The US was unprepared militarily: Had a 12-ship navy vs. Britain’s 800 ships. Americans disliked a draft  preferred to enlist in the disorganized state militias. Financially unprepared: Revenue from import tariffs declined. Regional disagreements.

War Starts Congress declared war in 1812 Not fully supported New England states feared a negative impact on trade

1812-1814 US met with failure Britain tightened its blockade US trade was ruined Britain planned a three prong attack NY along Lake Champlain and the Hudson New Orleans to block the Mississippi Chesapeake Bay as a diversion

1814 US was weakened as New England discussed leaving the Union at the Hartford Convention of 1814 White House burnt by the British

Battle of Fort McHenry, 1814 Oh Say Can You See By the Dawn’s Early Light… -- Francis Scott Key

Battle at Lake Champlain

Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814

The Battle of New Orleans, 1815

Results of the War Nationalism increases. US enters a period of growth and prosperity. The Democratic Republican Party dominated the government as the Federalists faded out of existence. The Second Bank of America was created in 1816. The Bank, as well as federal land laws, encouraged Americans to move west. Commerce continued at a steady rate with Europe.

Negatives In 1819, the US experienced its first depression, known as the Panic of 1819. The crisis started when banks in London demanded that the banks in the US pay back the money they had borrowed. This in turn made it necessary for US banks to call in their loans from the American public. Americans who had borrowed too much were ruined.