1. Problems:
Foreign & Domestic

2. African Pirates
American merchant ships attacked off the coast of North Africa
Jefferson passed a law requiring all ships to be escorted through the Mediterranean Sea by the American Navy
Americans advised to keep friendships with nations but avoid their entanglements foreign nations
Who first had this idea?
Difficult for Americans to stay out of foreign affairs when involved so heavily with overseas trade

4. Fighting with Britain & France
Britain & France still at war in 1804
American ships had neutral rights & traded with both countries
France seized & searched ships trading with Britain
Britain blocked French coasts
Britain impressed American sailors to work on British ships
British attacked an American ship, Chesapeake, in 1807
Many demanded war
( War Hawks)
HMS Leopard, attacked the Chesapeake

5. Impacting Trade Jefferson did not push for war
“Peaceable coercion” was his terminology
Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807
American ships not allowed to trade to European nations
The act was a disaster
American farmers & merchants lost markets for their products
Lost income
Many violated the embargo
Congress eventually repealed it

7. War Fever President Madison saw Britain as the greater threat
Interfered with shipping, impressed sailors, and resisted in the west
: white settlers attacked American Indian lands in the west
Natives renewed trading relationships with British in Canada
1811 – General William Henry Harrison attacked American Indians @ Prophetstown & proclaim a victory in the Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh (Indian leader) joined forces with the British

9. Declaration of War
War Hawks pushed the president to ask for a declaration of war with Britain
Led by Henry Clay of Kentucky & John C. Calhoun of S. Carolina
Their nationalism led to a new patriotism not seen since the Revolution
Many wanted British aid to Natives to be stopped
Others wanted war because of what happened at sea
June 1, 1812 – President James Madison asked Congress for declaration of war
Congress agreed
First time U.S. declared war on a foreign nation

10. Important Dates Year Export Value 1794 $ 33 million 1801 $ 94 million
British-French Wars
British-French Truce
Napoleonic War
Embargo Act
War of 1812
Year
Export Value
1794
$ 33 million
1801
$ 94 million
1803
$ 54 million
1807
$ 108 million
1809
$ 22 million
1812
$ 61 million
1814
$ 7 million
Naval Forces of the War of 1812
Vessel Type
# of Guns
American Navy
British Navy
Ship of the Line
64-120
124
Frigate
26-50 8
116
Smaller Vessels
< 24
> 360