Chapter 9 Outline
War of 1812
Section 1
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James Madison:
o A Democratic-Republican from Virginia
o Became the fourth president of the United States in 1809
o Known as a quiet, intelligent individual
o Took office just after the repeal of the Embargo Act
o Main challenge of his tenure was to create a policy for peace
 Continued the policy Jefferson set of neutrality
 Created a new foreign policy in 1810
 Purpose was to bring back trade lost under the Embargo Act
 Took a first come, first serve policy with Britain and France
o Who ever chose to stop impressments first would get to
trade with America
 Napoleon Bonaparte of France took advantage of Madison’s
offer in August 1810
o Goal was to use America against Britain
o Knew the British revenue would be hurt without
American trade
 President was unaware that Britain had also offered to reopen
trade
Changes brought America closer to war
o Began in 1811 with the 12th Congress
 New, young, and aggressive individuals were elected to Congress called
“War Hawks”
 Wanted changes in policies
 Didn’t like the war Britain was treating America>
o Newly elected War Hawks included:
 Henry Clay of Kentucky
 Chosen as Speaker of the House of Representative
 John C. Calhoun of South Carolina
 Felix Grundy of Tennessee
o War Hawks wanted to put an end to the Indian conflict in the frontier and
assurance of freedom at sea
 Wanted war if countries denied American that freedom
 Britain had seized more than 1,000 ships and crews
 France had seized more than 500 ships and crews