Presidential Election of 1812
madwar President James Madison Born in Virginia, 1751 Enlisted in Continental Army but too small Attended Princeton University and became a lawyer. Father of the Constitution and Bill of Rights. Secretary of State during Jefferson s Presidency President, 1809 to 1817 Had to deal with Jefferson s policies after he left office
Tecumseh Tecumseh (Shawnee warrior) & the Prophet (his brother) formed a union of tribes east of Mississippi to fight white intrusion Supplied by the British led Indian cultural renewal 1809: General William H. Harrison appointed as governor of Indiana Territory by President Jefferson. President Jefferson at the time instructed Harrison to convince Tecumseh to stop attacking American settlements. This continued under Madison s presidency
Tecumseh vs Harrison Sell a country! Why not sell the air, the clouds and the great sea, as well as the earth? Did not the Great Spirit make them for the use of his children? Tecumseh
Tecumseh Tecumseh reflected bitterly on the white man s treatment of his people. We gave them forest-clad mountains and valleys full of game and in return what did they give our warriors and our women? Rum, trinkets (jewelry) and death
impressment France and Great Britain are at war England continued to close ports under French control to foreign shipping (including the US) England continued to seize US ships & impressed Americans.
Non-Intercourse Act 1809 - Replaced the Embargo of 1807. Unlike the Embargo, which forbade American trade with all foreign nations, this act only forbade trade with France and Britain. It did not succeed in changing British or French policy towards neutral ships, so it was replaced by Macon s Bill No. 2. Macon s Bill No. 2 1810 - Forbade trade with Britain and France, but offered to resume trade with whichever nation lifted its neutral trading restrictions first. France quickly changed its policies against neutral vessels, so the U.S. resumed trade with France, but not Britain.
madwar War Hawks John C. Calhoun South Carolina Henry Clay Kentucky New members of Congress, John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay want war why Great Britain.Why? U.S. must defend its neutrality Stop impressment (destroying US Economy) British forts still on US soil Tecumseh (arming of Native Americans) Desire for Canada Considered British as disrespectful
New England states (many were Federalists) did not want the war The War Hawks successfully convinced Congress to fight British Congress was not aware that London repealed impressment policy two days prior to declaration of war
United States vs. Britain
Map war1812 US unprepared for war but fought valiantly Failed invasion into Canada. British blockade hurt US economy
highlights Washington, D.C. burned by British, 25th of August 1814 Dolly Madison escaped from White House and took many pieces of art, furniture from the White House before the British destroyed it.
The Battle of Thames River, Oct. 5, 1813 US military victory led by General William H. Harrison Tecumseh was killed during this battle
The Battle of Lake Erie was probably the most important naval battle of the war US Naval tradition develops during the War of 1812
highlights U.S. Flag which flew over Fort McHenry to inspire Francis Scott Key to write the Star Spangled Banner. September 13 th, 1814
Battle of Fort McHenry, 1814 Oh Say Can You See By the Dawn s Early Light -- Francis Scott Key
New orleans 10,000 British troops reached the mouth of the Mississippi River and were threatening the Louisiana Purchase. 4,500 U.S. troops led by Andrew Jackson, the British were defeated on January 8, 1815
New orleans Considered greatest U.S. victory to that time Defeated British s best without help from any country US gains respect after this battle. Kept Louisiana Purchase under the control of the U.S.
The Treaty of Ghent War of 1812 is considered a stalemate Dec. 1814 Results: A halt to the fighting The return of all conquered territory to the prewar borders Recognition of the prewar boundary between Canada and the United States
Radical New England Federalists met to discuss their grievances & find solutions to their problems: U.S. Govt. fighting an unnecessary war against the wrong enemy New Englanders continued to trade with the British during the war Talked of secession When people found out what the Federalists were planning, they became extremely unpopular
The War s Legacy U.S. gained the respect of other nations U.S. came to accept Canada as a neighbor and a part of the British Empire The Federalist party came to an end as a national force Talk of nullification and secession in New England set a precedent that would later be used by the South Gained US neutrality and became isolated from Europe Native Americans in the West were forced to surrender large areas of land and move west. More U.S. factories were built War heroes such as Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison would eventually become Presidents. Growth of American nationalism
The War of 1812 won new respect for America among many British. Michael Scott, a young lieutenant in the British navy wrote, I don t like Americans; I never did, and never shall like them..i have no wish to eat with them, drink with them, deal with, or consort with them in any way; but let me tell the whole truth, nor fight with them, were it not for the laurels to be acquired, by overcoming an enemy so brave, determined and alert, and in every way so worthy on one s steel, as they have always proved. Respect from the Europeans