1. The War of 1812 CAUSES

2. Conflict in Europe  Britain and France began another conflict – Napoleonic Wars  1806 – France excluded British goods from Europe  Great Britain decided to retaliate by blockading Europe’s coasts

3. Aggression Extends towards US  By 1807 Britain had seized more than 1,000 American ships, confiscated their cargoes  France had seized about ½ that number of US ships SO WHO DO WE VIEW AS THE BIGGER THREAT?

4. Impressment  Most of American anger focused on British  British would seize US citizens from ships and force them into the British “Navy” known as impressment.

5. Chesapeake Incident  June 1807 – commander of a British Warship demanded the right to board and search the US naval frigate for British deserters  When US captain refused, British opened fire  Killed 3, wounded 18 Americans

6. Jefferson’s Reaction  Convinced Congress to pass Embargo of 1807  hurt Britain and other European powers to convince them to honor American neutrality  Hurt US economy, so Congress lifted embargo in 1809.

7. Madison’s Non-Intercourse Act  Re-opened trade with all nations, except GB and France  1810, expired Non-Intercourse and passed Macon’s Bill No. 2 – reopened trade, but President had power to prohibit commerce if continued to be belligerent  Napoleon stopped, so only put Embargo on Britain

8. Conflict with Natives over Westward Expansion  Shawnee chief Tecumseh began organizing fights against expanding white settlers  In 1811, Tecumseh’s brother was defeated at the Battle of Tippecanoe by Governor of Illinois, William Henry Harrison  Found out Native Americans were fighting with arms from British Canada  War Hawks called for declaration of War

9. War Hawks  Southern and Western young congressman who pushed for war  What could they gain?  MORE LAND Henry Clay of Kentucky John C. Calhoun of South Carolina

10. James Madison Declares War  Elected in 1808, Republican from VA  By 1812, decided to go to war  Felt Britain was trying to strangle American trade and cripple US economy  Congress approved war early June 1812