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.”