War of 1812 – The “Second War for American Independence”
“…the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air…”
Causes of the War of 1812
 Rooted in European wars stemming from the French
Revolution
 U.S., still a very young nation, attempted to remain
neutral. Remember Washington’s Neutrality
Proclamation of 1793?
 For nearly 20 years (beginning in 1792), Britain
nevertheless violated U.S. neutrality
Jay Treaty
 As war between France and Britain raged, tensions flared
along the Canadian border and on the seas.
 To avoid war, Washington sent Chief Justice John Jay to
England to negotiate for peace.
 The treaty was signed in 1794, resolving many issues left
over from the 1783 Treaty of Paris, such as border and
trade disputes.
 This treaty helped maintain peace between the U.S. and
Britain, for a time...
Renewed tensions with Britain
 In 1805, the British inflicted a crushing defeat on the
French Navy at the Battle of Trafalgar, thereby
ensuring Britain’s supremacy on the seas.
England expects
that every man
will do his duty!
Renewed tensions with Britain
 That same year, Napoleon crushed the combined
Austrian and Russian armies at the battle of
Austerlitz, thereby ensuring French supremacy on
the European continent.
Trade Disputes
 Unable to hurt each other directly, Britain and France
turned to economic warfare.
 Beginning in 1806, the British issued a series of ORDERS
IN COUNCIL
 These edicts established a naval blockade around Europe
aimed at closing French ports to foreign trade, including
American shipping
 Having declared neutrality, the United States viewed this
as a violation of U.S. sovereignty
Trade Disputes

France responded to the British Orders in Council by ordered the seizure of all merchant
ships that entered British ports.

The U.S. was thus caught in the middle of the Anglo-French conflict. To trade with one
would mean conflict with the other.
Embargo Act of 1807

Jefferson tried to get both England and France to back off with the Embargo Act of 1807,
which stopped exports of all goods from the United States

This backfired, hurting the American economy more than Britain and France.
Three days before Jefferson
left office, the Embargo was
repealed on March 1, 1809

Replaced by a watered down
Version called the Non-Intercourse
Act (aimed solely at Britain and
France

Macon’s Bill No. 2
 Under Madison, the U.S. government tried to break the British
and French trade barriers with Macon’s Bill No. 2
 Under Macon’s Bill, the U.S. would reopen trade with the world,
but…
 …If Britain or France repealed their commercial restrictions, the
United States would restore its embargo against the nonrepealing nation.
 This gamble failed, largely because Britain’s position was: the
United States can trade exclusively with Britain, or with nobody
at all
British Impressment

As war with France raged, the British controlled the seas while the French controlled the
European continent.

The British practiced impressment – the forcible enlistment of sailors.

Between 1808 and 1811, around 6,000 American citizens were impressed into the British
Navy
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
 In 1807, the HMS Leopard pursued, attacked and boarded a U.S. frigate off the
coast of Virginia, demanding the surrender of alleged British deserters.
 Three Americans were killed and 18 were wounded.
 Four crew members were removed from the American vessel and were tried for
desertion, one of whom was subsequently hanged.
 Prime example of British
violations of U.S. sovereignty
on the seas, which became
commonplace during this
time
Native American aggression backed by Britain

The British continued to back Native American aggression against the U.S.

A prominent example is Tecumseh and the Prophet, who formed an alliance of tribes east
of the Mississippi.

The Prophet was defeated by future president William Henry Harrison at the Battle of
Tippecanoe, but Tecumseh continued to fight for the British until his death in 1813.
Second War with England
 A growing segment of the American population, known as “war hawks,”
wanted war with England (due to impressment, continued trade
disruption, and Native American hostilities)
 Madison decided war with England was inevitable. He asked Congress
to declare war on June 1, 1812
Bring it,
England.
‘Murica is ready
for round two!
New England
WAR
HAWKS
The West
The South
The 3 key voting sections before The War of 1812