3 The Coming of War Warm-Up: SECTION If You were there... You are a tea merchant in Boston in 1807, but right now your business is at a standstill. A new law forbids trading with European nations. Now, Boston Harbor is full of empty ships. It seems to you that the law is hurting American merchants more than European ones. You know that some merchants are breaking the law and smuggling goods, just to stay in business. Directions: Answer the following question in 4 short sentences. Would you obey the law or turn to smuggling? Explain Why or Why Not.

BUILDING BACKGROUND The United States tried to stay neutral in the conflicts between France and Great Britain, but it was impossible to avoid getting involved. French and British ships interfered with American trade across the Atlantic. The British also caused trouble along the western frontier. Many Americans began to urge war with Great Britain. During the late 1700s and early 1800s American merchant ships traveled long distances risking their lives to make a profit. These men risked being killed by violent storms, captured by pirates, or have their cargoes stolen.

Barbary pirates, pirates from States of North Africa, caused many problems. Attacks continued until the United States sent out the USS Constitution, a large warship, to end them. Science and Technology In 1797 Congress decided to create a navy to protect American merchant ships. The powerful warship USS Constitution was a key part of the new navy and was undefeated in battle. It is the oldest commissioned warship in the world. Most of the ship’s cannons were located on the gun deck. Boys called “powder monkeys” carried gunpowder from the lowest deck up to the gunners. The main mast is 220 feet high. People on the spar, or top, deck were exposed to enemy fire. The crew slept and ate on the berth deck

ANALYZING ANALYSIS SKILL 1. Why do you think gunpowder was stored on the bottom deck? 2. What was the purpose of the copper on the front of the boat?

BUILDING BACKGROUND In 1803 Great Britain and France wanted to stop the United States from supplying goods. Each country passed laws preventing American merchants from trading. Also, British and French navies captured many American merchant ships searching for war supplies. Impressment: Sometimes U.S. citizens were captured and forced to serve in the army or navy.

Yard Main Mast Main Sail Fore Mast Fore Sail Quarter Deck Rudder Rudder Main Deck Keel

Yard Main Mast Main Sail Fore Mast Fore Sail Quarter Deck Rudder Main Deck Keel

After the Embargo was put into effect it ended up doing more harm then good. American Merchants lost enormous amounts of money.

Jefferson Farewell Enter James Madison Jefferson did not want to run for a 3rd term. Madison was Jefferson’s Secretary of State. What was James Madison’s role leading up to The War of 1812? Non-Intercourse Act: Banned trade only with Britain, France, and their colonies. It stated that United States would start trading with the other side just to honor U.S neutrality.

British troops decided to arm Indian tribes in order to help them defend themselves from American settlers . Britain wanted to slow down the growth of the United States. Tecumseh Video

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- William Henry Harrison - Tecumseh Primary Source POINTS OF VIEW Views of War Tecumseh urged Native Americans to unite to oppose what he called the “evil” of white settlement. “The only way to stop this evil is for all the red men to unite in claiming a common and equal right to the land, as it was at first, and should be yet. Before, the land never was divided, but belonged to all, for the use of each person. No group had a right to sell, not even to each other, much less to strangers who want all and will not do with less.” “By my own exertions in securing the friendship of the chiefs… by admitting them at all time to my house and table, my propositions for the purchase of their land were successful beyond my… hopes… In the course of seven years the Indian title was extinguished to the amount of 50 millions of acres.” - William Henry Harrison - Tecumseh