The Road to the War of 1812

• When someone is referred to as a “Hawk”, what does that mean?

• When someone is referred to as a “Dove”, what does that mean?

The Road to War

• Hawk: Is a person who favors War.

• For ex.,• Adolf Hitler (WW II)• Osama bin Laden• Henry Clay (War of

1812).

• Dove: Is a person who favors Peace.

• For ex.,• Ghandi• Dr. Martin Luther King

Jr.• Hippies

Causes of the War of 1812

• Great Britain ignores American neutrality as they:• Take American ships and their cargos, and take U.S.

sailors and force them into their navy (impressment).• Arm Native Americans on the frontier• Encourage the Indians to attack American settlers• Blockade some American ports• Battle an American naval ship.

Causes Continued

• American ‘War Hawks’ like Henry Clay wanted to declare war on G. Britain to stop them from causing trouble in America.

• They also want an excuse to conquer Canada and take Florida from Spain (Britain’s ally).

• They convince President Madison to seek a declaration of war against Great Britain, and Congress declares war in June 1812.