1. The Second War for American Independence
The War Of 1812

2. Causes of the War
France and Britain were at War
Both France and Britain “impressed” American sailors
Impressment - seizing Americans at sea and drafting them into their navy
“War Hawks” pressured US Congress
Westerners thought British were supplying weapons to Indians
France and Great Britain are fighting and the US gets trapped between their opposing legislation -- British refuses to allow trade with France and vice-versa
Impressment -- American Soldiers are stolen by British -- especially (Leopard and Chesapeake Incident)
War Hawks -- John C. Calhoun & Henry Clay
From the Western States -- never see war before
See “Henry Clay Endorses War” (1811)

3. Jefferson’s Response
Embargo Act of 1807 – prohibited all American trade with foreign ports
Greatly hurt American shipping and the US economy
New Englanders hated Jefferson (“Mad Tom”)

4. Madison’s Response James Madison elected in 1808
Realized that Embargo Act hurt US much more than France or Britain
Passed the “Non-Intercourse Act”
Re-opened American trade with all nations except France and Britain
Would trade with France and Britain if they would respect US neutral rights

5. The “War Hawks” Call for War
War Hawks-- New, young Republicans came to Congress from “frontier” states
War was the only way to
defend American honor
gain Canada
destroy Native American Resistance
War Hawks call for war
New, young Republicans come to Congress from Frontier states
.Leaders: Henry Clay of Kentucky & John C. Calhoun of South Carolina
.Never seen a war and eager to start one with Britain
.Reasons to go to War
.Depression in Ohio Valley
.Desire for Canadian land
)Future fur-trading
)Region needed for expansion of settlers
)Pawn to trade with England to force end of attacks on shipping
.Indian warfare with confederation organized by Tecumseh. Battle of Tippecanoe convinced war hawks of British assistance to Indians.
.Impressment
3. War is the only way to
a. defend American honor
b. gain Canada
c. destroy Native American Resistance

6. Problems With Native Americans
Settlers pushing the Indians further westward, creating more conflicts, thought British were supplying arms
Shawnee decided to fight back
Leaders: Tecumseh & Prophet
attempted to unite all tribes east of the Mississippi
Battle of Tippecanoe: General William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh
Native American Issues
Shawnee in west are tired of being pushed further west by settlers
Shawnee Confederation led by Tecumseh and the Prophet tried to unify all the Tribes east of the Mississippi
Battle of Tippecanoe (1811) – General William Henry Harrison defeats the Shawnee but becomes convinced that the British were supplying them

8. War Is Declared
June 18, Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war
War was declared, before Britain’s offer to stop was received
Critics referred to “Mr. Madison’s War”

9. Major Events of
US invaded Canada in three places but failed to take over
Burned the Canadian City of York (Toronto)
British Fleet destroyed on Lake Erie
American privateers damaged British shipping
British navy blockaded US Coast
See the map of the war
Americans burn the Canadian city of York (now Toronto)
Defeat of the British Navy -- “We have met the enemy and they are ours”
1813 – US victories on Lake Erie and Lake Champlain prevented British counterattack.
American privateers damaged British shipping in early months
USS Constitution very successful
British navy overwhelmed US ships and blockaded coast from New England to Georgia

10. Major Events of 1814 Chesapeake Campaign
British burned Washington, DC
First Lady Dolley Madison rescued valuables from the White House
Battle of Fort McHenry -- British bombard Baltimore, MD
Francis Scott Key -- wrote The Star Spangled Banner after the Battle of Fort McHenry
Chesapeake Campaign
Attack on Washington British troops burn White House, other buildings in retaliation for the burning of York -- Dolley Madison’s letter
Then move onto to Baltimore and bombarded Fort McHenry but the Americans hold firm (thus the Star-Spangled Banner)
Southern Campaign
March 1814 – Battle of Horseshoe Bend – Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Indians
Napoleon abdicates in April 1814, leaving America alone to fight the British.
At Treaty of Ghent, American and British negotiators agree to end fighting on December 24, 1814
Andrew Jackson and combined force of whites and African-Americans defeat the British at New Orleans (“it was 1814, we took a little trip”) but the Treaty had already been signed
British invade New Orleans, only to be defeated by American troops under Andrew Jackson's command in January 1815

11. More Events of
Hartford Convention -- Group of New England Federalists were going to Hartford Convention to oppose war, but the war ended before the convention.
Treaty of Ghent signed -- December 24, 1814
Battle of New Orleans
Jackson and the Americans defeated the British, Jackson became a hero
militarily insignificant because the war is already over

13. Results of the War Britain and US call it a draw -- no one wins
December Treaty of Ghent is signed
Hostilities cease
all borders go back to pre-war status
all land returned to original owners
US Independence is won for good
Britain and the United States become friends