War of 1812

A second war of independence or American arrogance?

Fixing the Economy

• Macon’s Bill No. 2 replaced the Non-Intercourse Act: Americans may sell at English and French ports, but English and French warships may not dock in American ports– worked for the economy– Trade with England and their holdings in the Western Hemisphere

skyrocketed– French still suffered because of English naval blockade

• Napoleon repeals Continental System (Berlin and Milan Decrees)• Madison reapplies Non-Intercourse Act to the British (he

believed Napoleon would hold true to his word)• Napoleon retracts his repeal of the Continental System• Madison retains restrictions on trade with England

For War with England• Western frontiersman pushing further west and tricking or forcing Indian

tribes off their land• Tecumseh and the Prophet (brothers) form an alliance of Indian tribes

east of the Mississippi river to send the white back from whence they came– Tecumseh a brilliant organizer, strategist, leader– Prophet led followers to believe he possessed magical powers and could see into

the future• Americans believed that the English put the Indians up to forming this

grand alliance (untrue, Indians were upset on their own)• Westerners also believed that they could easily conquer Canada and add

it to the area controlled by the United States• Canada was the greatest source of lumber for Royal Navy because of the

Continental System

Opposed to War

• England was a source of stability whereas Napoleon was hungry for power and territory

• English Navy well formed; American Navy practically non-existent - it would take years to build it up to a position where it could have a chance against the English fleet

• English economy was suffering from the loss of markets in the US - English citizens were also clamoring for a change in their governments policies

Intransigence?

• On June 18, 1812 - Madison asked for a declaration of war against England and got it.

• On June 23, 1812 - England suspended the Orders in Council.

Course of the War of 1812• A lot of casualties between June 1812 and May 1814 - however

poor strategy and execution effected both sides• Tecumseh and the Prophet killed• May 1814 - Napoleon defeated in Europe• England free to focus on America• Most successful battle launched against Chesapeake Bay region -

Washington DC burned to the ground - but British stopped at Baltimore

• Star Spangled Banner composed by Francis Scott Key, while on board a British vessel, attempting to negotiate the return of an American doctor during the battle for Fort Henry

• Americans rally after Washington burned - many enlist to fight

Battle of New Orleans

• Andrew Jackson - hero of the Battle• Stunning victory against the British– Reconnaissance discovered surprise attack from

opposite direction anticipated– Jackson sets up a wall of fire - stops British in their

tracks

After the War: Settling with England

• Treaty of Ghent (Belgium)– Status quo: ante bellum

• England lowered duties on trade with the British Isles• Great Lakes and the Canadian border

– 1st both try to re-establish their military on the border– both countries realize the cost and strain not worth the effort

• Rush-Bagot Agreement - 1817: limited military presence of America and British on the Great Lakes

• Convention of 1818 - border between Canada and the United States settled at the 49th parallel – Other issues regarding fishing rights settled in the convention, as

well

America and Spain: After the War

• Andrew Jackson had pursued raiding Indian tribes into Florida without significant objections by the Spanish military

• Transcontinental Treaty of 1819– America pays $5 million to Americans to whom

Spain owes money– Florida becomes American territory– Western border of Louisiana agreed to - farther

west than Spain had wanted

Map Treaty of 1819

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

• “The American continents by the free and independent condition which they have assumed and maintain, are henceforth not to be considered as subjects for colonization by any European powers.”