1. Causes of War of 1812 Napoleonic Wars (1803 – 1815)
France and Britain engage in economic warfare
Berlin and Milan Decrees (France): restrict trade with England
Orders of Council (Great Britain): restrict trade with France
Impressment of American sailors
British capture American ships (6,000 sailors seized by 1807)
Violation of “Freedom of the Seas”
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807)
British kill 3 Americans, injure 17
Public wants retaliation
U.S. attempts economic warfare
Embargo Act (1807): prohibits all international trade to and from American ports
Non-Intercourse Act (1809): allowed trade with all nations except Britain and France
Macon’s Bill #2 (1810): authorized reopening of trade with Britain or France depending on who treated the U.S. properly

2. President James Madison
Wins Election of 1808 and 1812
“War Hawks” in Congress
SW, elected in 1810 demand WAR against Britain and Spain
Led by John Calhoun (SC) and Henry Clay (KY)
Tecumseh and Battle of Tippecanoe
Shawnee chief unite Ohio tribes against American settlers
Americans believe British in Canada were encouraging Indian raids
Governor William Henry Harrison defeats Indians (Nov. 1811)
Madison attempts diplomatic measures
Sends war message to Congress on June 1, 1812
Republicans help push war declaration through
Federalists strongly oppose war
WAR – June 18, 1812
“Free Trade and Sailors’ Rights”