AMERICAN CONFLICTS FROM
1812 TO 1865

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Freedom of the Seas
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Chesapeake-Leopard Affair ends with 3 Americans killed
Assassination of PM Spencer Percival-May 11
Impressment
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More than 10,000 sailors impressed
British Troops
Indian Attacks
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November 7, 1811, Harrison’s forces attacked at Tippecanoe by the Prophet (35 KIA, 152 WIA)
Canada
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War Hawks

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British
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America a secondary concern
Use troops in Canada and native allies to attack from the North and break off the Ohio River Valley
When Possible, send invasion force to attack capital and take control of Mississippi River.
American
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Rely on numerical superiority
Send force to eliminate Natives on frontier and invade through
Great Lakes
Send second invasion force to Canada in New York Theater to attack heavily populated cities
Third invasion to take control of St. Lawrence River

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Massacre common
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Massacre at Raison River of 65 Americans in Jan of 1813.

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Within a month of the DoW, General Wm. Hull entered Canada on
July 12, but soon stalled. July 17, Ft. Michilimackinac falls to the
British. By August 15, troops at Ft. Dearborn are massacred. The next day Hull surrendered Detroit. The losses lead to the removal of the Sec. of War and Navy.
April 1812-U.S. burns Toronto.
In March 1813 Admiral Perry began building a fleet on Lake Erie
Battle of Lake Erie-Sept. 10, 1813-British had 6 vessels, Americans had 9 smaller ships-American victory
Sept. 27 British evacuate Detroit-Harrison follows quickly catches the British who surrender, Native under Tecumseh fight on but are defeated. Gen. Proctor court-marshaled
Battle of Lundy’s Lane-July 25, 1814-costly British victory (878
British dead v 860 Americans)

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Attack on the capital-1814
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Battle of Bladensburg-August 24, 1814
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4,000 British troops defeat 6,000 American militia
Burning of the capital-
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After defeat Winder’s forces, Gen. Ross moved to take
Washington D.C
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Battle of North Point
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Ross is killed and the British suffer many casualties
New Orleans-1815
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2000 British casualties with the rest captured
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American casualties were 21

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Status Quo Antebellum-Treaty of Ghent
Need to professionalize the military
Creation of heroes
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Andrew Jackson, Winfield Scott, William Harrison,
Zachary Taylor
Peaceful Northern Border
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Convention of 1818
Rush-Bagot Treaty
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Webster-Ashburton Treaty
Oregon Treaty

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Manifest Destiny
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Racial assumptions
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Land Hunger
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Power Vacuum

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Mexico
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Attack and defeat the American Forces
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Allow the Americans to starve in the desert
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US
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Attack and defeat the Mexican Forces
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Use surprise, bribery and speed to conquer
Northern Mexico
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Move against the enemy capital

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Battle of Palo Alto-May 8, 1846
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3,400 Mexican troops v 2,200 American.
Mexican casualties est. at 400, U.S. at 50
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Monterrey-Sept 21-22, 1846, truce allowed Mexicans to withdraw
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Battle of Buena Vista-February 1847
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5000 Americans withstand assault by 20,000

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Invasion of New Mexico
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Bribery of Governor-Santa Fe falls July 1846
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Rebellion of locals
California
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Fremont
Bear Flag Republic-June 1846
Monterrey June
Suppressing Southern Rebellion
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Battle of San Pascual-December 1846
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Battle of San Gabriel-January 1847

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Landing at Veracruz-March 1847
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Mexico City taken in September 1847-
Mexico loses 4,000 of 25,000. U.S. loses
900 of 10,000.

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Treaty of Guadalupe-Hidalgo Feb 2, 1848
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Pays $15 million
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Gets New Mexico, California and Nueces Strip
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Agrees to pay Mexico’s debt to Americans

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Slavery
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Different Nations
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States Rights
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Radicals

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Confederacy
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Defensive Battle
Use Cotton to Gain Diplomatic Support
Where down Union Resolve
Union
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Originally a quick victory
Eventually pressure on all fronts
Total war and blockade
Rely on Material and manpower advantages

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Ft. Sumter (April 12, 1861) C Vic.
First Bull Run (July 21, 1861) C vic.
Shiloh (April 6-7, 1862) U vic. 13,000 U cas v. 10,000 C.
Antietam (Sept. 17, 1862) u. vic 26,000 cas.
Fredericksburg (Dec. 13, 1862) C vic 12,000 U cas v 5,000 C.
Chancellorsville (May 1-4, 1863) costly C vic. 17,000 U cas v 13 Con.
Gettysburg (July 1-3, 1863) U vic
Vicksburg (July 4, 1863) U Vic
Chikamagua (Sept. 19-20, 1863) C. Vic
Chatanooga (Nov 23-25, 1863) U. Vic.
Cold Harbor (June 3, 1864) C Vic
Atlanta (Sept 2, 1864) U Vic
Richmond falls April 2, 1865