AP United States History
Question: Analyze the political objectives and the economic goals of the United States
and Great Britain heading into and during the War of 1812.
The 8-9 Essay
- Contains a well-developed thesis that properly examines the political objectives
and economic goals of the United States and Great Britain pertaining to the War
of 1812
- Presents an effective analysis of the political and economic conditions of the
United States and Great Britain before and during the war
- Effectively uses a substantial number of documents
- Supports thesis with substantial and relevant outside information
- May contain minor errors
- Is clearly organized and well written
The 5-7 Essay
- Contains a thesis that properly examines the political objectives and economic
goals of the United States and Great Britain pertaining to the War of 1812
- Has some limited analysis on the political and economic conditions of the United
States and Great Britain before and during the war
- Effectively uses some documents
- Supports thesis with some relevant outside information
- May have errors that do not seriously detract from the quality of the essay
- Shows acceptable organization and writing; language errors do not interfere with
the comprehension of the essay
The 2-4 Essay
- Contains a limited or undeveloped thesis
- Deals with the question in a general manner; simplistic treatment of the political
objectives and economic goals of the United States and Great Britain before and
during the war
- May address only one category
- Merely refers to, quotes or briefly cites documents
- Contains little outside information; contains information that is inaccurate or
irrelevant
- May have major errors
- May be poorly organized and/or written
The 0-1 Essay
- Contains no thesis or a thesis that does not address the question
- Exhibits inadequate or incorrect understanding of the question
- Has little or no understanding of the documents, or ignores them completely
- Has numerous errors
- Written so poorly that it inhibits understanding
-- black or completely off task
AP United States History
Directions: The following question requires you to construct a coherent essay that
integrates your interpretation of Document A-H and your knowledge of the period
referred to in the question. High scores will be earned only by essays that both cite key
pieces of evidence form the documents and draw on outside knowledge of the period.
-
Analyze the political objectives and economic goals of the United States and
Great Britain heading into and during the War of 1812.
Document A
Source: James Madison, War Message to Congress, June 1, 1812
Whether the United States shall continue passive under these progressive usurpations
and these accumulating wrongs, or, opposing force to force in defense of their national
rights, shall commit a just cause into the hands of the Almighty Disposer of Events,
avoiding all connections which might entangle it in the contest or views of other
powers, and preserving a constant readiness to concur in an honorable reestablishment of peace and friendship, is a solemn question which the Constitution
wisely confides to the legislative department of the Government. In recommending it
to their early deliberations I am happy in the assurance that the decision will be
worthy the enlightened and patriotic councils of a virtuous, a free, and a powerful
nation.
Document B
Source: Treaty of Fort Jackson, August 9, 1814
The United States demand, that the Creek nation abandon all communication, and
cease to hold any intercourse with any British or Spanish post, garrison, or town; and
that they shall not admit among them, any agent or trader, who shall not derive
authority to hold commercial, or other intercourse with them, by license from the
President or authorized agent of the United States.
AP United States History
Document C
Document D
Source: Macon’s Bill No. 2
Sec. 4. And be it further enacted, That in case either Great Britain or France shall…
so revoke or modify her edicts as that they shall cease to violate the neutral
commerce of the United States …"An act to interdict the commercial intercourse
between the United States and Great Britain and France and their dependencies, and
for other purposes," shall, from and after the expiration of three months from the
date of the proclamation aforesaid, be revived and have full force and effect…
AP United States History
Document E
Document F
Source: Declaration of His Royal Highness the Prince Regent Relative to the
Causes and Origin of the War with America, House of Lords, February 3, 1813
Such are the causes of war which have been put forward by the government of the
United States. But the real origin of the present contest will be found in that spirit,
which has long unhappily actuated the councils of the United States: their marked
partiality in palliating and assisting the aggressive tyranny of France; their
systematic endeavours to inflame their people against the defensive measures of
Great Britain; their ungenerous conduct towards Spain… and their unworthy
desertion of the cause of other neutral nations. It is through the prevalence of such
councils, that America has been associated in policy with France, and committed
in war against Great Britain.
AP United States History
Document G
Document H
Source: Address Respecting the War with America, House of Commons, February 18,
1813
…the government of the United States made no distinction between American citizens
born, and citizens there made by letters of naturalization and certificates of
citizenship… Upon the right of impressment depended our maritime greatness and
superiority, and still more when we were at war with other states. This, our undoubted
right, the American government now disputed, and offered to us nothing but an
unconditional surrender of that right, or war. War with them, therefore, we must
have…Let us show that we were not base enough to sacrifice to trade the honour and
the interests of the country. Let us show that we were not improvident enough to
sacrifice to commerce that maritime superiority which could alone enable us to carry
on commerce with advantage.
AP United States History
Document Analysis
Document A: President Madison’s Address to Congress
- Document Information
o James Madison’s address to Congress regarding his views on war with Great
Britain
o America’s rights being violated
o Poses the question of neutrality
o The Constitution places war decisions on Congress
o Whatever the decision, it will reflect the opinions and virtues of America
- Document Inferences
o Wrongdoings of other nations had lead to the brink of war.
o The nation was indecisive over declaring war of Great Britain
o The US wished for other nations to respect neutrality; wanted to be treated
like a powerful and independent nation
Document B: Treaty of Fort Jackson
- Document Information
o America forced the Creek Indians to cut ties with Great Britain and Spain
o No more commercial activity with nations other than the US for the tribe
- Document Inferences
o European nations, especially Great Britain, would often join with Native
Americans in an effort against the United States
o Tensions between US and Great Britain growing
o Western settlement was increasingly difficult for Americans
Document C: The Northern Frontier Map
- Document Information
o Great Britain held forts in northern US until 1796
o Forts were near British Canada
o US / Native American conflicts were common
o Battles include Tippecanoe, Fallen Timbers, St. Clair’s defeat, and Harmar’s
defeat
- Document Inferences
o Native Americans prevented some westward expansion by Americans
o British occupation on US soil bothered Americans
o Joint British-Native efforts hindered the US economically; also a constant fear
for western settlers
AP United States History
Document D: Macon’s Bill No. 2
- Document Information
o Bill brought to Congress
o Declares that Great Britain and France is advised to stop violating the US
right of neutral trade with both countries
o The US will take action if these decrees are dishonored
o Force will be used if necessary
- Document Inferences
o Warning given to European nations that the US was considering war is
peaceful means did not end the problems
o Great Britain and France were in a European power struggle
o The US attempted to remain neutral as long as possible, but neutrality was in
jeopardy
o Continued trading means Embargo is lifted
Document E: Embargo Political Cartoon
- Document Information
o The turtle is successfully preventing the man from delivering his goods
o The man is commenting on the pain caused
o There is a British ship and smugglers in the background
o The turtle (Ograbme) represents the Embargo
- Document Inferences
o The Embargo was somewhat effective in preventing exports and imports
o British continued to trade, breaking American policy; angered the US
o Hurt American economy in certain areas
Document F: Decree of Prince Regent
- Document Information
o Discussion in House of Commons of British Parliament
o Prince Regent accuses the US for declaring war on Great Britain based on the
following issues:
 American partiality towards France
 Raising war spirits in the US against Great Britain
 American ungenerous conduct towards Spain
 American failure to respect other neutral nations
- Document Inferences
o The British felt that the US had a close association with France
o Great Britain did not want to start a war with the US; however, the British had
their reasons to dislike the Americans
AP United States History
Document G: British Debt Chart
- Document Information
o British debt more than tripled between 1786-1816
- Document Inferences
o Great Britain was fighting a two front war; they wanted to quickly end the war
with America because of the severe financial toll
o Lack of money motivated the British to seize American ships
Document H: Address Respecting the War with America
- Document Information
o The American government does not make a distinction between born citizens
and naturalized citizens
o Great Britain is practicing impressments on American sailors
o Great Britain is willing for war to protect its honor
- Document Inferences
o The British Empire wished to maintain its dominance in the international
trading market by subduing the US
o The British believed that they had the right to impress sailors that were
naturalized US citizens
AP United States History
Outside Information List
- Embargo Act of 1807
- Thomas Jefferson
- War hawks
- Henry Clay
- Proclamation of 1763
- Tecumseh
- Shawnee
- Creek Red Sticks
- Battle of Tippecanoe
- William Henry Harrison
- Impressments
- Jay’s Treaty
- Monroe Pinkney Treaty
- Orders in Council
- Treaty of Ghent
- Burning of Washington
- Northwest Territory
-
Sire Isaac Brock
Francis Scott Key
Henry Papers
Macon Act
King George III
Revolutionary War
Era of Good Feelings
Battle of New Orleans
Andrew Jackson
The Chesapeake Affair
Napoleonic Wars
2nd war of independence
Non-Intercourse Act
Little Belt Affair
Westward expansion
William Eustis
AP United States History
Bibliography
Madison, James. "War Message, 1812." In Hunt, Gaillard, ed. The Writings of James
Madison, Vol. VIII, p. 192-200. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E08760&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
Various. "Treaty of Fort Jackson." American History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E08490&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
"Northern Frontier 1783-1812." Map. United States Army Center of Military History.
1989. University of Texas Libraries. University of Texas, n.d. Web. 29 Apr.
2010. <http://www.lib.utexas.edu/maps/histus.html>.
U.S. Congress. "Macon's Bill No. 2." United States Statutes at Large, 11th Cong., Sess.
II, Chp. 39, 1810, p. 605-606. American History Online. Facts On File, Inc.
http://www.fofweb.com/activelink2.asp?
ItemID=WE52&iPin=E08480&SingleRecord=True (accessed April 29, 2010).
"Political Cartoon Against the Embargo Act of 1807." Cartoon. History Channel. N.p.,
2010. Web. 29 Apr. 2010. <http://www.history.com/photos/thomasjefferson/photo7>.
Prince Regent. "Declaration of his Royal Highness the Prince Regent Relative to Causes
and Origin of the War with America." Paper presented at House of Commons of
the United Kingdom. Hansard. Web. 29 Apr. 2010.
<http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/commons/1813/feb/03/declaration-of-hisroyal-highness-the>.
Davies, Roy. "Warfare and Financial History." University of Exeter. N.p., 25 May 2005.
Web. 29 Apr. 2010. <http://projects.exeter.ac.uk/RDavies/arian/war.html>.
Earl Bathurst. "Address Respecting the War with America." Paper presented at House of
Commons of the United Kingdom. Hansard. Web. 29 Apr. 2010.
<http://hansard.millbanksystems.com/lords/1813/feb/18/address-respecting-thewar-with-america>.