Unit IX: The War of 1812 Unit IX: The War of 1812 and the Era of Good and the Era of Good

FeelingsFeelings

In the 1808 election Jefferson’s hand picked In the 1808 election Jefferson’s hand picked successor, James Madison, defeated the successor, James Madison, defeated the Federalist candidate Charles Pinckney. Federalist candidate Charles Pinckney.

When Madison entered office he When Madison entered office he was left to deal with the trade was left to deal with the trade restrictions on Britain and France restrictions on Britain and France left by Jefferson. In 1810 he left by Jefferson. In 1810 he passed Macon's Bill giving the passed Macon's Bill giving the British three months to reopen British three months to reopen trade in the Atlantic, which had trade in the Atlantic, which had been damaged by the British been damaged by the British Orders in Council. Orders in Council.

The Orders in Council forbade The Orders in Council forbade neutral vessels to trade at any port neutral vessels to trade at any port which was closed to the British which was closed to the British unless they had first landed at a unless they had first landed at a British harbor and paid taxes. The British harbor and paid taxes. The British refused and Madison placed British refused and Madison placed an embargo on the British but not an embargo on the British but not the French. This meant America the French. This meant America would no longer be a neutral party in would no longer be a neutral party in the Napoleonic Wars. the Napoleonic Wars.

In the congressional elections of In the congressional elections of 1810 many of the old established 1810 many of the old established Congressmen were defeated by Congressmen were defeated by several young, brash several young, brash representatives from southern representatives from southern and western states, known as the and western states, known as the War Hawks. War Hawks.

They were eager for war with Britain They were eager for war with Britain because they had missed the because they had missed the Revolution. They also wanted to end Revolution. They also wanted to end the Indian threat on western lands. the Indian threat on western lands. Two brothers of the Shawnee tribe, Two brothers of the Shawnee tribe, Tecumseh and the Prophet began to Tecumseh and the Prophet began to unite the tribes of the Ohio and unite the tribes of the Ohio and Tennessee valleys in order to end Tennessee valleys in order to end the rush of settlers onto their lands. the rush of settlers onto their lands. The movement began with the call The movement began with the call for spiritual and cultural unity.for spiritual and cultural unity.

Congress believed the Indians were Congress believed the Indians were receiving support from the British receiving support from the British and in 1811 ordered William Henry and in 1811 ordered William Henry Harrison to take an army and find Harrison to take an army and find the Indian camp. Harrison's army the Indian camp. Harrison's army discovered the camp along the discovered the camp along the Tippecanoe River. Tecumseh was Tippecanoe River. Tecumseh was not in the camp, he was recruiting not in the camp, he was recruiting tribes in the south but his brother tribes in the south but his brother attacked Harrison who responded attacked Harrison who responded by defeating the Indians and by defeating the Indians and burning the settlement. burning the settlement.

In 1812 the War Hawks began In 1812 the War Hawks began calling for war with Britain. They calling for war with Britain. They felt the Indians were receiving felt the Indians were receiving support from the British in support from the British in Canada. They further wanted to Canada. They further wanted to invade Canada and end British invade Canada and end British control as well as gain fertile control as well as gain fertile farming land.farming land.

Southerners wanted to invade Southerners wanted to invade Florida and crush the Indians Florida and crush the Indians there who were under Spanish there who were under Spanish control. Madison wanted to control. Madison wanted to defend American shipping rights defend American shipping rights and restore confidence in the and restore confidence in the national government. On June 1, national government. On June 1, 1812 Madison asked Congress for 1812 Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war based on a declaration of war based on four points.four points.

The first two were the continuous The first two were the continuous issue of impressment and the issue of impressment and the Orders in Council, which harassed Orders in Council, which harassed all American trade. The fourth was all American trade. The fourth was the supplying of Indians along the the supplying of Indians along the Great Lakes and the promotion of Great Lakes and the promotion of war. The votes were very close war. The votes were very close though revealing a division between though revealing a division between the New England states, which the New England states, which relied on trade with Britain and the relied on trade with Britain and the southern and western states. southern and western states.

The wealthy families of New The wealthy families of New England supported the British England supported the British against Napoleon and actually against Napoleon and actually lent money and supplies to the lent money and supplies to the British in Canada allowing them British in Canada allowing them to invade the U.S. The odds were to invade the U.S. The odds were stacked against an American stacked against an American military was completely military was completely unprepared for war. The navy unprepared for war. The navy had a total of seventeen ships. had a total of seventeen ships.

Very few people joined the Very few people joined the national army; most enlisted in national army; most enlisted in their state militias but even this their state militias but even this stopped once the War stopped once the War Department was no longer able Department was no longer able to pay troops. There were severe to pay troops. There were severe financial problems because of the financial problems because of the embargo and militias from New embargo and militias from New England refused to fight outside England refused to fight outside of their state. of their state.

Despite being poorly equipped Despite being poorly equipped and outmanned the Americans and outmanned the Americans decided on an offensive decided on an offensive strategy.The hostility centered strategy.The hostility centered on three areas: 1) Naval battle on on three areas: 1) Naval battle on Great Lakes Great Lakes

2) Invasion of Canada 2) Invasion of Canada

3) Opportunity to gain part of 3) Opportunity to gain part of Spanish Florida.Spanish Florida.

Their confidence on the seas was greatly Their confidence on the seas was greatly boosted when the British naval ship the boosted when the British naval ship the Guerriere Guerriere attacked the attacked the U.S.S ConstitutionU.S.S Constitution and was sunk in August of 1812. The and was sunk in August of 1812. The army then invaded Canada in a three army then invaded Canada in a three pronged attack. The armies attacked pronged attack. The armies attacked form Detroit, Niagara, and Lake form Detroit, Niagara, and Lake Champlain but all were defeated shortly Champlain but all were defeated shortly after crossing the Canadian border. after crossing the Canadian border.

In 1813 the British and Americans began In 1813 the British and Americans began to fight over the control of the Great to fight over the control of the Great Lakes.Lakes.

In September of 1814 the British In September of 1814 the British attempted to invade New York, but attempted to invade New York, but without adequate roads the British without adequate roads the British were forced to move supplied over were forced to move supplied over water. The American navy engaged water. The American navy engaged the British ships on Lake Champlain the British ships on Lake Champlain and defeated them. and defeated them.

A second British force invaded the A second British force invaded the Chesapeake Bay marching towards Chesapeake Bay marching towards Washington in August of 1814. The Washington in August of 1814. The British burned the Capitol and the British burned the Capitol and the White House. White House.

The British navy attacked Fort The British navy attacked Fort Henry in Baltimore but could not Henry in Baltimore but could not force the surrender of the city. In force the surrender of the city. In the south the British army, which the south the British army, which had just defeated Napoleon, had just defeated Napoleon, began moving to take New began moving to take New Orleans.Orleans.

Andrew Jackson was sent to Andrew Jackson was sent to New Orleans to defend the city. New Orleans to defend the city. He had just defeated the Creek He had just defeated the Creek Indians at the Battle of Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in March of Horseshoe Bend in March of 1814. He then moved 1814. He then moved southward where his troops dug southward where his troops dug in around New Orleans. The in around New Orleans. The British attacked on January 8, British attacked on January 8, 1815 and were devastated. 1815 and were devastated.

The victory at New Orleans though The victory at New Orleans though legitimized the Treaty of Ghent for legitimized the Treaty of Ghent for America , which was signed on America , which was signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent December 24, 1814 in Ghent Belgium before the battle took place. Belgium before the battle took place.

The Treaty of Ghent ended the war The Treaty of Ghent ended the war but did nothing to resolve the issues but did nothing to resolve the issues that had actually started the war. that had actually started the war. The treaty was basically an The treaty was basically an armistice. The war itself actually did armistice. The war itself actually did several things though. several things though.

It reaffirmed American It reaffirmed American independence and convinced independence and convinced American leaders to stay out of American leaders to stay out of European affairs.European affairs.

It destroyed Indian resistance in It destroyed Indian resistance in the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys the Ohio and Mississippi Valleys allowing for further expansion.allowing for further expansion.

It exposed our military weaknesses It exposed our military weaknesses and the need for better and the need for better transportation routes. Both would be transportation routes. Both would be made priorities in 1815.made priorities in 1815.

It ended the Federalist Party, which It ended the Federalist Party, which had made gains in 1812 but when had made gains in 1812 but when some extremists met in Hartford, some extremists met in Hartford, Connecticut and proposed the Connecticut and proposed the succession of New England they lost succession of New England they lost all of their support.all of their support.

American industry began to American industry began to flourish as domestic flourish as domestic manufacturing increased and manufacturing increased and Congress passed the first Congress passed the first protective tariff of 20 to 25 protective tariff of 20 to 25 percent on imports. The tariff percent on imports. The tariff was designed to keep American was designed to keep American goods competitive with cheap goods competitive with cheap foreign goods that flooded the foreign goods that flooded the market after the war.market after the war.

The increases in American The increases in American manufacturing was in part caused by manufacturing was in part caused by Samuel Slater who had memorized Samuel Slater who had memorized British factory plans and immigrated British factory plans and immigrated with them to America. with them to America.

The factory plans allowed for the The factory plans allowed for the mass production of textiles, which mass production of textiles, which replaced the domestic system, which replaced the domestic system, which had been practiced since colonial had been practiced since colonial times. times.

In the domestic system materials In the domestic system materials were sent out to private homes were sent out to private homes to be woven into textiles. The to be woven into textiles. The system was inefficient though as system was inefficient though as production centered around the production centered around the family duties and the harvest. family duties and the harvest.

In 1813 the Boston Manufacturing In 1813 the Boston Manufacturing Company was chartered and the first Company was chartered and the first American power loom was American power loom was constructed in Waltham, Mass. The constructed in Waltham, Mass. The power loom wove yarn which was power loom wove yarn which was produced in mass by the spinning produced in mass by the spinning jenny. The company profited off of jenny. The company profited off of the use of the steam engine, which the use of the steam engine, which allowed the company to run the loom allowed the company to run the loom and build factories anywhere along and build factories anywhere along rivers.rivers.

Women began purchasing the Women began purchasing the textiles rather than making their textiles rather than making their own. The Lowell system was own. The Lowell system was developed in order to lure New developed in order to lure New England farm girls to the mills. England farm girls to the mills. The Lowell system centered on The Lowell system centered on six day weeks with 12-13 hour six day weeks with 12-13 hour days. Girls were paid $.55 a days. Girls were paid $.55 a week and could make more week and could make more based on production. based on production.

The Lowell system was very The Lowell system was very paternalistic in an attempt to paternalistic in an attempt to keep high moral standards keep high moral standards amongst the girls. Girls were also amongst the girls. Girls were also required to attend lectures on required to attend lectures on morals and values as well as morals and values as well as church and school. The Lowell church and school. The Lowell system fell out of favor though in system fell out of favor though in the 1830s as well Irish men were the 1830s as well Irish men were hired at lower wages. hired at lower wages.

Two other significant inventions Two other significant inventions that led to increases in production that led to increases in production were developed by Eli Whitney. The were developed by Eli Whitney. The invention of his cotton gin in 1793 invention of his cotton gin in 1793 allowed slaves to remove the seeds allowed slaves to remove the seeds from cotton quickly. from cotton quickly.

The second invention was the The second invention was the creation of standardized rifles that creation of standardized rifles that used interchangeable parts. This used interchangeable parts. This allowed for the quick replacement allowed for the quick replacement of broken parts. of broken parts.

As the economy continued to As the economy continued to improve Henry Clay, a War Hawk improve Henry Clay, a War Hawk from Kentucky, developed the from Kentucky, developed the American System. He wanted to American System. He wanted to see a strong banking system see a strong banking system created that provided easy created that provided easy credit, the creation of a credit, the creation of a protective tariff, and the creation protective tariff, and the creation of a network of roads and canals of a network of roads and canals built in the Ohio Valley.built in the Ohio Valley.

Madison passed the protective Madison passed the protective tariff in 1816 and rechartered the tariff in 1816 and rechartered the Bank of the United States in an Bank of the United States in an attempt to solve economic attempt to solve economic problems but vetoed the road problems but vetoed the road construction bill because he felt construction bill because he felt it was unconstitutional. This left it was unconstitutional. This left the states to deal with internal the states to deal with internal improvement on their own.improvement on their own.

The construction of canals began The construction of canals began linking waterways, which linking waterways, which steamboats could move goods steamboats could move goods from the east into the Ohio from the east into the Ohio Valley. The largest of these Valley. The largest of these canals was the Erie Canal canals was the Erie Canal completed in 1825, it connected completed in 1825, it connected New York City with the Great New York City with the Great Lakes. Lakes.

The National Road was also The National Road was also constructed and connected constructed and connected Maryland with Ohio by 1833. In Maryland with Ohio by 1833. In 1830's the construction of 1830's the construction of railways in the east began. These railways in the east began. These railways were built moving east railways were built moving east to west to move goods into the to west to move goods into the interior. interior.

Many of these improvements Many of these improvements were looked down upon by the were looked down upon by the New England states that felt they New England states that felt they would lose their power in the would lose their power in the national government as more national government as more people moved west. people moved west.

In the election of 1816 James Monroe won In the election of 1816 James Monroe won the election defeating the last Federalist the election defeating the last Federalist candidate, Rufus King. The time period candidate, Rufus King. The time period came to be called the "era of good came to be called the "era of good feelings" because of economic prosperity feelings" because of economic prosperity and only one political party. The and only one political party. The Federalists though still held the power in Federalists though still held the power in the Supreme Court. Led Chief Justice the Supreme Court. Led Chief Justice Marshall the court consistently ruled in Marshall the court consistently ruled in favor of a strong central government. The favor of a strong central government. The Marshall court ruled on several major Marshall court ruled on several major cases during the time period.cases during the time period.

Fletcher vs. Peck (Fletcher vs. Peck (1810) - The 1810) - The Supreme Court ruled that a Supreme Court ruled that a Georgia legislative contract Georgia legislative contract giving millions of acres of land giving millions of acres of land to private speculators could not to private speculators could not overturned even though it was overturned even though it was acquired fraudulently. The case acquired fraudulently. The case was noteworthy for the was noteworthy for the protection of property rights.protection of property rights.

McCulloch vs. Maryland McCulloch vs. Maryland (1819) - This (1819) - This case involved the state of Maryland, case involved the state of Maryland, which had tried to tax the notes of a which had tried to tax the notes of a branch of the Bank of the United branch of the Bank of the United States. Marshall ruled that the law States. Marshall ruled that the law passed by Maryland to tax the bank passed by Maryland to tax the bank was unconstitutional and asserted was unconstitutional and asserted the power of the federal government the power of the federal government over the states. He also affirmed the over the states. He also affirmed the right of the federal government to right of the federal government to charter the bank. charter the bank.

Dartmouth College vs. Woodward Dartmouth College vs. Woodward (1819) - Dartmouth College had (1819) - Dartmouth College had been granted a charter by King been granted a charter by King George III in 1769, The New George III in 1769, The New Hampshire legislature passed a law Hampshire legislature passed a law changing the charter making the changing the charter making the school a public institution. The school a public institution. The school appealed the case and school appealed the case and Marshall ruled that the charter is a Marshall ruled that the charter is a contract and cannot be changed. contract and cannot be changed. This had an effect on the charters of This had an effect on the charters of businesses. businesses.

Gibbons vs. Ogden Gibbons vs. Ogden (1824) - This (1824) - This case was based on New York's case was based on New York's attempt to create a monopoly on attempt to create a monopoly on waterway trade between New waterway trade between New York and New Jersey. Marshall York and New Jersey. Marshall ruled that only the federal ruled that only the federal government could control government could control interstate commerce. interstate commerce.

Agriculture still remained the Agriculture still remained the backbone of the economy but it backbone of the economy but it changed from subsistence farming to changed from subsistence farming to profit oriented farming. Each area of profit oriented farming. Each area of the country began to develop its own the country began to develop its own distinct economy. distinct economy.

In the New England area families In the New England area families began to focus on dairy farming, began to focus on dairy farming, manufacturing and land sales as manufacturing and land sales as many people began moving out many people began moving out west.west.

In the Western Territories In the Western Territories commercial crop farming commercial crop farming developed across the large flat developed across the large flat plains. Mechanization of plains. Mechanization of agriculture allowed for the agriculture allowed for the development of these large development of these large farms. farms.

In 1831 Cyrus McCormick developed In 1831 Cyrus McCormick developed the reaper, allowing for the cutting of the reaper, allowing for the cutting of wheat. And in 1837 John Deere wheat. And in 1837 John Deere invented the steel plow. In the South invented the steel plow. In the South the shift was to a cotton based the shift was to a cotton based economy. The southern plantation economy. The southern plantation owners made their wealth selling owners made their wealth selling cotton on the international market. cotton on the international market.

The majority of the population The majority of the population remained rural subsistence farmers remained rural subsistence farmers and in which land represented and in which land represented wealth. wealth.

Because of the improvements in Because of the improvements in transportation and the development transportation and the development of industries farmers began to profit of industries farmers began to profit as well. They could grow large as well. They could grow large amounts of crops and sell them in amounts of crops and sell them in markets across the country. Growth markets across the country. Growth was uneven though, as there were was uneven though, as there were times of prosperity as well as times of prosperity as well as recessions. In 1819 the economy recessions. In 1819 the economy crashed because of:crashed because of:

1.1. Speculation on western lands: Speculation on western lands: People would buy large amounts of People would buy large amounts of land and then sell it in sections land and then sell it in sections making a profit, the land was high making a profit, the land was high in demand because of the growing in demand because of the growing demand for cotton. Land could be demand for cotton. Land could be bought at $.2 an acre with only 20% bought at $.2 an acre with only 20% down. As the price of cotton began down. As the price of cotton began to fall in 1818 the land dropped in to fall in 1818 the land dropped in value and these investors lost value and these investors lost money. money.

2.2. Massive immigration: Mainly Massive immigration: Mainly from Northern Europe especially from Northern Europe especially the Irish.the Irish.

3.3. Banking problems: The five year Banking problems: The five year period between 1811-1816 saw period between 1811-1816 saw a large number of state banks a large number of state banks established. These banks then established. These banks then issued their own currencies issued their own currencies causing severe inflation.causing severe inflation.

4.4. Debt: The speculation of land and Debt: The speculation of land and subsequent drop in value caused a subsequent drop in value caused a $22 million debt to accumulate. The $22 million debt to accumulate. The rechartering of the Bank of the U.S rechartering of the Bank of the U.S 1816 did not help matters as the 1816 did not help matters as the bank’s President William James bank’s President William James deflates the currency causing a deflates the currency causing a large number of banks to go under, large number of banks to go under, this ruins the farmers and this ruins the farmers and merchants. merchants.

As slavery became increasingly As slavery became increasingly important due to the growth of important due to the growth of cotton as the primary southern cash cotton as the primary southern cash crop it further divided the industrial crop it further divided the industrial north and agricultural south. north and agricultural south.

The creation of The creation of sectionalism sectionalism in the in the economy would lead to sectionalism economy would lead to sectionalism in politics as the national in politics as the national government attempted to keep the government attempted to keep the balance of slave and free states balance of slave and free states equal.equal.

Slavery was an issue that was Slavery was an issue that was purposely avoided in debates purposely avoided in debates among Congressmen. In 1819 among Congressmen. In 1819 the issue became unavoidable the issue became unavoidable though as Missouri applied for though as Missouri applied for admission to the union as a slave admission to the union as a slave state. The House stopped the state. The House stopped the admission briefly though as they admission briefly though as they passed the Tallmadge Act. The passed the Tallmadge Act. The act stipulated the gradual act stipulated the gradual emancipation of children born to emancipation of children born to slaves in Missouri. slaves in Missouri.

Also no more slaves would be Also no more slaves would be allowed into the state. allowed into the state. Southerners were outraged and Southerners were outraged and felt it was a threat to their way of felt it was a threat to their way of life because it would stop the life because it would stop the expansion of slavery. The bill was expansion of slavery. The bill was rejected by the Senate. rejected by the Senate.

In 1820 Henry Clay proposed the In 1820 Henry Clay proposed the Missouri Compromise. Missouri would Missouri Compromise. Missouri would be admitted as a slave state and be admitted as a slave state and Maine would enter as a free state Maine would enter as a free state preserving the balance at twelve preserving the balance at twelve each. The compromise also created a each. The compromise also created a line at 36, 30’, which slavery could line at 36, 30’, which slavery could not cross. This pleased both the not cross. This pleased both the northern and southern states; the northern and southern states; the south did not feel the prairie lands south did not feel the prairie lands were suitable for slavery anyway.were suitable for slavery anyway.

Foreign policy during the "era of Foreign policy during the "era of good feelings" was delegated to good feelings" was delegated to John Q. Adams, Sec. of State. John Q. Adams, Sec. of State. Adams wanted to expand the Adams wanted to expand the boundaries of the country and boundaries of the country and isolate the U.S from Europe. In isolate the U.S from Europe. In 1817 the Rush-Bagot Treaty was 1817 the Rush-Bagot Treaty was signed limiting the American and signed limiting the American and British naval forces in the Great British naval forces in the Great Lakes and eventually led to Lakes and eventually led to demilitarization of the border. demilitarization of the border.

At the Convention of 1818 the At the Convention of 1818 the border between Canada and border between Canada and America was fixed at the forty-America was fixed at the forty-ninth parallel. It also provided for ninth parallel. It also provided for a ten-year joint occupation of the a ten-year joint occupation of the Oregon territory. Oregon territory.

Americans also looked southward Americans also looked southward towards Florida still in Spanish towards Florida still in Spanish control. Revolutions began to break control. Revolutions began to break out in South America pulling many of out in South America pulling many of the Spanish troops out of Florida. the Spanish troops out of Florida. Andrew Jackson used this Andrew Jackson used this opportunity to get permission from opportunity to get permission from the government to invade Florida the government to invade Florida and attack the Seminole Indians he and attack the Seminole Indians he claimed were hostile to the U.S. claimed were hostile to the U.S.

He was to avoid all Spanish posts He was to avoid all Spanish posts but took over the two most but took over the two most important posts violating his important posts violating his orders. Adams quickly used this orders. Adams quickly used this to sign the Adams-Onis Treaty to sign the Adams-Onis Treaty with Spain. Spain ceded Florida with Spain. Spain ceded Florida for five million and the U.S for five million and the U.S agreed to give up claims to agreed to give up claims to Texas. The Spanish also gave up Texas. The Spanish also gave up claims to Oregon. claims to Oregon.

As many Latin-American As many Latin-American countries began declaring their countries began declaring their independence from Spanish rule independence from Spanish rule the U.S quickly recognized their the U.S quickly recognized their independence. Several European independence. Several European countries had agreed to join countries had agreed to join forces and return the countries to forces and return the countries to Spanish rule. The British Spanish rule. The British attempted to get the Americans attempted to get the Americans to issue a joint resolution to issue a joint resolution warning countries to stay away warning countries to stay away from Latin America.from Latin America.

Adams declined believing that Adams declined believing that the British would not allow the British would not allow European countries to shut down European countries to shut down their trade in the Caribbean so their trade in the Caribbean so there was no reason for there was no reason for American help. Adams convinced American help. Adams convinced Monroe that America could issue Monroe that America could issue its own resolution without having its own resolution without having to back up its claims. to back up its claims.

In December of 1823 the Monroe In December of 1823 the Monroe Doctrine was issued. The President Doctrine was issued. The President warned European powers of further warned European powers of further colonization of the Western colonization of the Western Hemisphere and the intervention of Hemisphere and the intervention of European countries in further European countries in further independence. The doctrine was independence. The doctrine was directed at Russia in particular, directed at Russia in particular, which had begun colonizing the which had begun colonizing the Northwest. The doctrine did not have Northwest. The doctrine did not have a significant effect until much later. a significant effect until much later.