A Time of Conflict Pages

Know ways to develop and support a point of view based on a historical event Know how to impose temporal structure on historical narratives Know ways the social, political, and economical divisions of the United States changed over time Between 1800 and 1815 the United States experienced rapid expansion as well as the challenged of war.

Tributeprotection for money Neutral Rightshaving the right to sail the seas and not take sides Impressmentsforcing people to serve in the navy Embargoprohibits trade with another country Nationalismloyalty to one’s country

1804 Barbary pirates seize the U.S. warship Philadelphia 1807 British navy attacks the American Vessel Chesapeake /Congress passes the Embargo Act Harrison defeats the Prophet at Tippecanoe 1812 Madison asks Congress to declare war on Britain 1800’s Americans begin trading with other countries. Over 1,000 merchant ships trading around the world

The livelihoods of many Americans depended on trade with foreign nations during the 1800’s. During this time period the Americans (New York) began trading good with China tea, silk, fur and other goods. The goods were sold for a great profit here in America. In years to follow American merchant ships sailed far & wide, sailing to South America, Africa, and lands along the Mediterranean Sea.

War between the French and British in the mid- 1790’s gave an additional boost to American shipping since both French and British did not want to risk their ships being captured. By 1800 the United States had almost 1,000 merchant ships trading around the world

Sailing in foreign seas was dangerous. In the Mediterranean, ships had to be on constant guard for pirates from Tripoli and the other Barbary Coast states of North Africa. For many years these Barbary pirates had been terrorizing the Mediterranean and had been demanding tribute from European governments to let their ships pass safely.

The United States had too, paid tribute so that they could have safe passage, but they did not pay enough. In 1801 the ruler of Tripoli asked for more $ from the U.S. But President Jefferson refused. Well, the ruler of Tripoli made a declaration of war against the Americans. American fleets were not powerful enough to defeat the Barbary pirates.

In 1804 the Pirates seized the U.S. warship Philadelphia, took it back to Tripoli, and threw the captain in jail Stephen Decatur, a navy captain, raided the harbor and burned the captured ship

Jefferson had 4 successful years as president and was reelected in His 2 nd term began at peace. Across the sea, it was a different story. Great Britain was at war with France and this war threatened to interfere with American trade Neutral rights. For 2 years shipping continued but in 1805 Britain blockaded the French coast and threatened to search all ships trading with France. Later France did the same Pg. 290

British sailors- poorly paid, fed, and treated horribly. On June 1807 off the coast of Virginia, the Leopard intercepted the American vessel Chesapeake and demanded to search the ship for British deserters. When the Ches.captain refused, the British opened fire, crippling the American ship. Sec. of State James Madison demanded war…

Jefferson did not want to go to war, but he didn’t want to let the attack go unanswered, so Congress passed the Embargo Act. This act prohibited trade with another country. In this case all countries. Jefferson and Madison hoped to hurt the British trade but it was a disaster! It wiped out all American commerce with other nations. Worse, it was ineffective against Britain

The British simply began to trade with Latin America. Congress repealed the act since it was not working in1809. In its place Congress enacted the NONINTERCOURSE ACT. This act prohibited trade with only France and Great Britain. However this act did not work very well either.

Jefferson made it clear that he would not serve another term so the Republicans choose James Madison for their candidate and the Federalist choose Charles Pinckney and hoped that answer over the embargo would help the Federalist Party But it didn’t … Madison won

In 1810, Congress passed a law permitting direct trade with either France or Britain, depending on which country first lifted its trade restrictions against America. Unfortunately for Madison, Napoleon had tricked the American administration and kept on capturing our ships. Americans were divided. They were not sure if the enemy was France or Britain!

While Madison was deciding to go to war or not, the settlers in the west was pressing for more land in the Ohio Valley. Native Americans had given up many millions of acres. Now the settlers were moving into the land that was promised to the Natives. Some natives when back renewing their contacts with British and Canadian agents. A powerful Shawnee chief did something else…

Tecumseh built a confederacy among Native American nations in the Northwest. He believed that a strong alliance with the help of British / Canadians could put a halt to the white movement onto Native lands. A commanding speaker, Tecumseh had great political skills. “The Great Spirit gave this great island to his red children”

In 1811 while Tecumseh was in the South trying to expand his confederacy, Harrison decided to attack Prophetstown on the Tippecanoe River. After two hours of fighting, the Prophet’s forces beat the natives. Harrison acquired the name Tippecanoe ad used it as a patriotic rallying cry when he ran for president in 1840

President Madison faced demands for a more aggressive policy toward the British for attacking their ships. The most insistent voices came from a group of Republicans known as the War Hawks. They pressured the president to declare war against Britain. Leaders of the War Hawks were Henry Clay and John Calhoun. Westerners wanted to move north into Canada. In the Spring of 1812, President Madison concluded that war with Britain was inevitable. In a message to Congress on June 1, he asked for a declaration of war. In the meantime the British had decided to end their policy of search and seizure of American ships. Unfortunately, it was to late.