“A democracy is nothing more than
mob rule, where fifty-one percent of
the people may take away the rights
of the other forty-nine.”
The Jeffersonian Republic
and the Second War for
Independence
• Why did
geography make it
possible to follow
Washington’s
policy of
nonentanglement?
• Why did right to
trade with Europe
become a source
of conflict?
• How could naval
interference
generate
international
conflict?
Importance of
Geography to
Early America
Policy of Neutrality
• George Washington
defines early policy;
– Proclamation of Neutrality;
1793
– Washington’s Farewell
Address: “It is our true policy
to steer clear of permanent
alliances with any portion
of the foreign world…”
…September 17, 1796
• Jay’s Treaty;
– agreement to resolve
conflicts with Great Britain
and keep the United States
from going to war
Federalist Party Policy
• John Adams as a
Federalist becomes the
second U.S. President
(1796-1800)
• France interrupts U.S.
maritime trade
– Adams ends the 1778
alliance with France
– U.S. assures its
independence from
European powers
Election of 1800
• The fourth presidential
election was the first time
candidates campaigned.
• The tickets in the election
were Federalists John
Adams and Charles C.
Pinckney, and the
Democratic-Republicans
Thomas Jefferson and
Aaron Burr.
• The conflicted result of
the 1800 election
revealed a serious flaw in
the US Constitution.
A Tie in the Electoral College
•
The original wording of the
Constitution didn't distinguish
between electoral votes for president
and vice president.
•
In the event of a tie in the electoral
college, the Constitution dictated that
the election would be decided by the
House of Representatives. The
Federalists threw their votes to Burr
in an effort to defeat Jefferson.
•
Alexander Hamilton, who detested
Burr and considered Jefferson a
safer choice to be president, wrote
letters and used all his influence with
the Federalists to thwart Burr.
Many Ballots in the House of
Representatives
• Capitol in 1800
• The election in the House of
Representatives began on
February 17, 1801, in the
new Capitol building in
Washington.
• The voting went on for
several days, and after 36
ballots the tie was finally
broken.
• Thomas Jefferson was
declared the winner. Aaron
Burr was declared vice
president.
Legacy of the Election of 1800
•
The outcome of the 1800 election led
to the passage and ratification of the
Twelfth Amendment, which changed
the way the electoral college
functioned.
•
Burr and Hamilton continued their epic
feud, which finally culminated in their
famous duel in Weehawken, New
Jersey on July 11, 1804. Burr shot
Hamilton, who died the next day.
•
Thomas Jefferson served two terms as
president.
Adams and Jefferson both died on a
noteworthy day, July 4, 1826, the 50th
anniversary of the signing of the
Declaration of Independence.
•
Orders in Council
• In 1807, British lawmakers
adopted a series of measures
called Orders in Council, which
sought to prohibit American
ships from entering any port
under Napoleon’s control.
• In retaliation, the French
dictator decreed that any
vessel doing business with
Britain would be confiscated by
his forces.
• British ships began
IMPRESSING American
sailors into British navy – over
6000 before the war’s end
The Embargo Act (1807)
The “OGRABME” Turtle
Forbade export of
all goods from
the US.
Unexpected
Consequences:
 1807 exports
 $108 mil.
 1808 exports
 $ 22 mil.
Chesapeake-Leopard “Affair”

June 21, 1807.

Br. Captain fired on the
USS Chesapeake.

3 dead, 18 wounded.

Br. Foreign Office said it
was a mistake.

Jefferson’s Response:

Forbade Br. ships to
dock in American ports.

Ordered state governors
to call up militiamen.
Presidential Election of 1808
Jefferson Farewell
Enter James Madison
• Jefferson did not want to run for a
3rd term
• Madison was Jefferson’s
Secretary of State
• Madison was an author of 30 of
the 81 the Federalist Papers
(including No. 10 and No. 51)
• Considered the most important
contributor to the Constitution
• Also the shortest President
Dolly Madison
•
Dolly Madison became a worldfamous hostess while First Lady
from 1809-1817.
•
With an unusual facility for names
and faces, Dolly Madison charmed
everyone.
•
She set the standards that other
American women tried to follow,
particularly in the realm of fashion.
•
Costly Parisian gowns, elaborate
feathered turbans, snuff, and
rouge became her trademarks.
The Non-Intercourse Act (1809)
•
•
•
•
Replaced the Embargo Act.
Reopened trade with all nations EXCEPT Britain and France.
Remained U. S. policy until 1812.
Unexpected Consequences:
– N. Eng. was forced to become self-sufficient again [old factories
reopened].
– Laid the groundwork for US industrial power.
– Jefferson, a critic of an industrial America, ironically contributed to
Hamilton’s view of the US!
Presidential
Election of 1812
And
“Mr.
Madison’s
War!”
Who is John Bull?
Text from left to right:
John Bull: Pray Mr Bruin try
if you can make up this little
Difference between us-The
Wasps and Hornets have
Stung me so hard I wish I
had never disturbed their
Nests.
Columbia: I thank you Mr
Bruin but I cannot trust the
Bull. 'Tho he has promised to
draw his HORNS he must be
safe bound to the Stake
before I treat with him.
Bruin: Let me unite your
hands Madam-Johny and I
have been very friendly since
I sent him my Fleet to take
care of----
• About 1805 Tecumseh
and his brother
Tenskwatawa, “The
Prophet,” began their
effort to organize all of
the Indian tribes into a
confederacy that would
resist any further sale of
Indian land to white
governments.
• The Prophet preached a
return to the traditional
Indian way of life and a
rejection of all things
white, including liquor.
British Instigation of
Indians
Tecumseh led his warriors
• Tecumseh traveled from
Indian nation to Indian
nation trying to unite them
into a single front opposing
white land aggression.
• By 1811 Tecumseh’s main
village, located on the
Tippecanoe River,
contained over 700
warriors, mostly Kickapoo
and Potawatomie tribes,
with some Delaware,
Sauk, Winnebago,
Wyandot, and Creek.
Tenskwatawa, “The Prophet
• This large village posed such a
potential threat to American
expansion that the Indiana
Territorial Governor, William
Henry Harrison, led an
expedition against it in the fall of
1811.
• The ensuing battle was a draw,
but Harrison did destroy the
village at Tippecanoe.
• Harrison struck while Tecumseh
was far to the south preaching
to the Creek. When Tecumseh
returned, his confederacy was
shattered and he led his
followers to Canada
BATTLE OF THAMES
•
October 5, 1813, at the Battle of Thames, American forces cross into
Canada across Lake Erie after the American victory on the lake.
• Tecumseh forced the British to make a stand along the Thames River
and during the ensuing battle, he was killed.
• At one point before the British retreat back into Canada Tecumseh led
over 3000 Indian warriors.
When Tecumseh was slain
•
When Tecumseh was slain, Indians came at
night and took his body away.
•
For many years Tecumseh's bones had no
permanent resting-place. Although they were
moved several times, there was always
someone who knew where they were.
•
Finally, the men of the Soldiers' and ExServiceman's Club of Walpole Island took
action. These men had served in the Great War
of 1914 under the same flag as Tecumseh.
•
The Soldiers‘ Club raised money, buried the
bones of the old leader, and erected a simple
monument over it.
•
Today this monument overlooks the St. Clair
River at the junction of the main road to the
Island and River Road.
Importance of Battle of the Thames
1) The American
victory put an end to the
British threat in
Northwest United States
2) Tecumseh was killed in
the battle
The Ohio faction of the
Shawnee declared their
neutrality early in the war
and were able to remain
on their lands until 1831,
when they were forced to
move to Kansas and
Oklahoma.
“War Hawks” in Congress
Want to expand US territory into British Canada & Spanish held
Florida urge war
Regions included southerners and westerners who were land
hungry and had a problem controlling the Indians
Supporters included : Federalist party & Henry Clay –Kentucky
John Calhoun – S. Carolina
Henry Clay [KY]
John C. Calhoun
[SC]
The Yankee Torpedo
– New Englanders
who feared that a
British blockade
would shutdown
trade and
manufacturing (a
mainstay of the
northeast
economy); creating
unemployment and
depression
• Opponents included:
- Daniel Webster
Overvie
w of the
War
What were some of the benefits
of going to war with Britain?
•
•
•
•
To allow reopening of trade
National Pride
To stop the impressment of sailors
CANADA!!!
What were some drawbacks to
going to war?
• Not everyone in the US
wanted to go to war
• Military was small
– Standing Army was small
– Militia comprised most of our
forces, and they did not like to
fight outside of their state
borders
– Navy was quite small only 22
ships
• Britain was a great
Superpower and could crush
us like a bug and we could
lose territory that was gained in
the Treaty of Paris or the
Louisiana Purchase
"WE HAVE MET THE ENEMY AND THEY
ARE OURS.
• On September 10,
1813, Commodore
Perry defeats the
British fleet at the
Battle of Lake Erie.
• The Battle, which is
hard fought by both
sides, ends up with a
total defeat for the
British.
Oliver Hazard Perry
• Perry sends his
famous
message to his
commander:
"WE HAVE MET
THE ENEMY
AND THEY ARE
OURS.
• Lake Erie
becomes an
American lake
The White House Is Burning;
The British Are Coming, AGAIN!!
• Britain Blockades the
Eastern Seaboard
– This prevented shipping
from leaving, and made the
war more unpopular in the
Northeast
• In August 1814, British
Forces Sailed into
Chesapeake Bay and
captured Washington D.C.
• They burned the White
House and the Capitol
• Madison and Congress
barely escape
Dolly saved the original draft of the Constitution
and the Declaration of Independence
•
Dolly Madison's formidable
social skills were a huge asset
during the War of 1812 when
she gave innumerable parties to
keep up morale.
•
But she is credited with an even
more significant achievement.
•
Immediately before the
invading British burned the
White House,
Dolly saved the original draft of
the Constitution and the
Declaration of Independence,
along with Stuart's portrait of
George Washington.
•
Oh Say Can You See…
• Unlike D.C., Baltimore was
Ready for the British
• The City militia inflicted
heavy casualties on the
British
• After bombarding Fort
McHenry on September
13, 1814 The British
abandon the attack
• Francis Scott Key
witnessed the
bombardment and penned
a poem which becomes
the National Anthem.
Battle of
Fort McHenry,
1814
And the rockets red glare
The bombs bursting in air… Gave
proof through the night,
That our flag was still there..
-- Francis Scott Key
Revival of Federalist Party
• Embargo Act of 1807
and Non-Intercourse
Act of 1809, were very
unpopular in the
northeastern United
States, especially
among merchants and
shippers.
• The opposing
Federalist Party,
formerly quite weak,
regained strength
especially in New
England
A Boxing Match, or
Another Bloody Nose for John Bull
Hartford Convention
December, 1814 – January, 1815
• When Madison was reelected in 1812 the fury in New
England intensified.
• The President insisted upon retaining the exclusive
control of military movements.
• Because Massachusetts and Connecticut had refused to
subject their militia to the orders of the War Department,
Madison declined to pay their expenses.
• Consequently, the cry was raised that Madison had
abandoned New England to the common enemy.
• Harrison Gray Otis, who inspired these measures,
suggested that the Eastern States meet in convention in
Hartford. As early as 1804 New England Federalists had
discussed secession from the Union if the national
government became too oppressive.
• Otis however did think the
Madison administration
was near collapse and
that unless conservatives
like himself and the other
delegates took charge,
the radical secessionists
might take power.
• Indeed, Otis was unaware
that Massachusetts
Governor Caleb Strong
had already sent a secret
mission to discuss terms
with the British for a
separate peace.
Leap or No Leap
Suggestions for Constitutional Changes
• The report said that New England had a "duty" to assert its authority
over unconstitutional infringements on its sovereignty — a doctrine
that echoed the policy of Jefferson and Madison in 1798 (in the
Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions), and which would later reappear in
a different context as "nullification.“
• The Hartford Convention's final report proposed several amendments
to the US Constitution.
• These attempted to combat the policies of the ruling Republicans by:
– 1) Prohibiting any trade embargo lasting over 60 days;
– 2) Requiring a two-thirds Congressional majority for declaration of war,
admission of a new state, or interdiction of foreign commerce;
– 3) Removing the three-fifths representation advantage of the South;
– 4) Limiting future Presidents to one term;
– 5) Requiring each President to be from a different state than his
predecessor. (This provision was aimed directly at the ruling Virginia
Dynasty.)
Treaty of Ghent 1814
• December 24, 1814
• War Ends in 1814 as a
Draw
– restores status quo
• British influence in
Northwest territories
ended
• Spanish removed from
the South
• The issue of impressment
was not addressed, but
faded on its own.
Battle of New Orleans
• Fought after the treaty was
signed (but not ratified)
• Why was New Orleans
important?
• Pirates and Frontiersman
fought alongside US troops
• Made Andrew Jackson a
National hero and household
name
• Ensured treaty ratification
Fought after the Treaty of Ghent
was Signed
• Creates new
national war
heroes in
Andrew
Jackson and
William Henry
Harrison and
the ideal of the
Western
Frontiersmen
• Jackson at Battle of New
Orleans
Immediate Outcomes of War of
1812
• American manufacturing
began to accelerate
especially in New
England when cut off
from European imports.
• Weakening of Federalist
Party which opposed the
war
•
Inspiration for writing of
Star Spangled Banner
If The War of 1812 ended in a
tie, why was it important?
• Gave the United States
a National Identity
– We were able to hold our
own against the British
– Native American tribes
lost their ally, Britain
– Quickens westward
expansion
– Ended bad feelings
toward the British
“We owe allegiance to no crown”
Impact of Foreign Policy
• War reinforced the American belief
that a policy of neutrality regarding
European affairs was justified –
Whose idea?
• U.S. national interests lead to
diplomacy
- settled the
border between with Canada
- led to acquisition of Florida from
Spain
- settled southern
boundary of Louisiana purchase
Jackson’s Florida Campaigns
Monroe Doctrine
•
Rise of Nationalism - New National selfconfidence leads to Monroe Doctrine of
1823 that becomes foundation of US
foreign policy in the Western Hemisphere
•
Puts an end to European colonization in
Western Hemisphere
•
No intervention by Europe in existing
nations in Western Hemisphere
•
A declaration that European interference
was “dangerous to our peace and safety”
•
A promise of noninterference by the US
in European affairs and their colonies
Cultural Nationalism
- Education and an American Literature

Education  The “Virtuous Citizen”

An American form of English
 Noah Webster
Cultural Nationalism –
American Literature

A well-defined American literature
Washington Irving
The Sketch Book, 1819-20
“The Legend of Sleepy Hollow”
Cultural Nationalism –
Religious Movements
 Second “Great Awakening” and
Revivalist Meetings
“Burned-Over” District
in Upstate New York
Economic Nationalism
•
Sectionalism plagued the land.
•
Instead of looking at the nation as a whole, regional separatism
took hold. Southerners, westerners and northerners began to
identify themselves regionally and not as Americans.
The American System
•
A plan to strengthen and unify the nation, the
American System was advanced by the Whig
Party and a number of leading politicians
including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun
•
The System was a new form of federalism that
included:
•
Support for a high tariff to protect American
industries and generate revenue for the federal
government
•
Maintenance of high public land prices to
generate federal revenue
•
Preservation of the Bank of the United States to
stabilize the currency and rein in risky state and
local banks
•
Development of a system of internal
improvements (such as roads and canals) which
would knit the nation together and be financed by
the tariff and land sales revenues.
Eli Whitney’s Cotton Gin,
1791
Actually invented
by a slave!
Whitney’s Gun Factory
Interchangeable Parts Rifle
First Turnpike
Lancaster, PA (1790)
By 1832, nearly 2400 mi. of road connected
most major cities.
Cumberland “National Road,”
1811
Conestoga Covered Wagons
Conestoga Trail, 1820s
Yankee Clipper Ships
Robert Fulton & the Steamboat
The Clermont
Erie Canal
System