James Madison (1808 – 1816) Focus : Why did the US go to war with Britain, and what was the outcome of that war?

What can be said about the Democratic-Republicans based on Madison’s elections?

Jefferson’s hand-picked successor, James Madison, won the presidency in 1808 & 1812 Madison was well-qualified: He was the architect of the Constitution, served in Congress, & served as Jefferson’s Secretary of State As president, Madison continued the dominance of the Republican Party and tried to continue Jefferson’s policies of limited national government

The War of 1812 But, the war between England and France continued to cause America problems: a. The British navy continued to “impress” American sailors b. Many Congressmen, called “war hawks” demanded war with Britain to defend American shipping Impressment: taking American sailors from their ships and Forcing them to serve In the British Navy

The War of 1812 Another issue that inflamed the war hawks was the presence of Native Americans in the Indiana Territory In 1809 General William Henry Harrison convinced several chiefs to sign over 3 million acres to the US Government Shawnee Chief Tecumseh began organizing resistance.

tecumseh

His brother attacked, and was defeated by, US forces led by Harrison at the Battle of Tippecanoe War Hawks wanted war even more when they learned the British had been supplying guns to the Native Americans

War Hawks wanted war even more when they learned Britain had been supplying guns to the Native Americans In 1812, Madison, believing Britain was trying to cripple the American economy and stifle trade, asked Congress for a declaration of war against England

Patriotism surged as Americans claimed the War of 1812 was a “Second American Revolution”

Causes of the War of 1812 Impressment: taking American sailors from their ships and forcing them to serve in the British navy War Hawks: American congressmen who want British out of North America once and for all; want to restore national pride.

The War Goes Poorly The war went badly in the early years The U.S. had a small navy and poorly trained army when the war began 11

The British attacked and burned the national capital Washington, D.C.

British Burn White House

When the British laid siege to Fort McHenry, American Francis Scott Key wrote the poem “The Star Spangled Banner” 14

Star Spangled Banner

Though Britain was winning, they were also fighting France and wanted to quickly end the War of 1812 In 1814, Britain and the United States signed the Treaty of Ghent ending the war 17

General Andrew Jackson emerged as a war hero The War of 1812 (1812—1815) Before news arrived, the Americans beat the British at the Battle of New Orleans General Andrew Jackson emerged as a war hero The victory at New Orleans led many Americans to feel as though they won the war 18

Treaty of Ghent ended the war, but it did not address trade rights or other causes of the war

Battle of New Orleans

The US was not favored to win…. How does this show that the US lacked a regular standing army?

The War of 1812 had important effects on America Americans were united in a sense of nationalism, believing that they had beaten the British America entered an “Era of Good Feelings” with a popular president and booming national economy

Nationalism – Strong feeling of national pride!!! Effects of the War of 1812 Nationalism – Strong feeling of national pride!!! Revival of American nationalism- leads to the “Era of Good Feelings” Shows the need for a strong army End of the Federalist party Weakens Native American resistance – new states (IL, AL, IN, MS) Paved way for American take- over of Florida