Chapter 12: The Second War for Independence and Upsurge of Nationalism (1812-1824)

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

War of 1812 (1812-1815)

War between the United Kingdom and the United States (including both of their indigenous allies) largely over the issues of trade and impressment. Though the war ended in a relative draw, it demonstrated America's willingness to defend its interests militarily, earning the young nation newfound respect from European powers.

Army on the eve of 1812

Ill-trailed, ill-disciplined, and scattered. Made up of poor/old generals from the Revolutionary War, and formed a terrible offensive against Canada. Missed chance to capture Montreal.

Siege of Fort Mackinac

Combined army of British, Canadian, and Native Americans seized Fort Michilimackinac, which conltroled the upper Great Lakes in Michigan from America; started series of American defeats at the start of war. forces crossing to Canada from Detroit, Niagara, AND Lake Champlain were destroyed

How was the navy compared to the army in the war?

Way better than the army because they were skillfully handled, had better gunners, and manned by non-pressing crews (1813)

Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813)

Battle where Oliver Hazard Perry managed to build a fleet of green-timbered ships on the shores of Lake Erie, manned by seamen. Perry captured a British fleet in a furious fight on the lake. His victory infused new life into the drooping American cause.

Battle of the Thames (1813)

Battle where General William Henry Harrison pushed up the river Thames into Upper Canada and on October 4, 1813, won a victory notable for the death of Tecumseh, who was serving as a brigadier general in the British army. This battle resulted in no lasting occupation of Canada, but weakened and disheartened the Indians of the Northwest. Ultimately ended the Tecumseh uprising and the threat of natives east of the Mississippi.

Battle of Lake Champlain (1814)

A battle where the British fleet was defeated and was forced to retreat and to abandon their plans to invade New York and New England after being stoped by Thomas Macdonough. The British began to decide that the war was to costly. Happens the same year where Napoleon's French Empire fell.

Burning of Washington (August 24, 1814)

Battle that took place during the War of 1812. British forces occupied Washington, D.C. and set fire to many public buildings, including the Capitol and White House, following the American defeat at the Battle of Bladensburg. Only time since the American Revolutionary War that a foreign power has captured and occupied the capital of the United States

Battle of Fort McHenry, 1814

British shelling of Baltimore harbor unsuccessful, inspires national anthem.

Battle of New Orleans, 1815

Famous battle that occurred AFTER the War of 1812; is finished ironically. American VICTORY. Battle that made Andrew Jackson a war hero- he was able to bring together Americans and inspire them to fight the Brits. 8,000 British troops to 7,000 American HODGEPODGE troops

Andrew Jackson

The seventh President of the United States (1829-1837), who as a general in the War of 1812 defeated the British at New Orleans (1815). As president he opposed the Bank of America, objected to the right of individual states to nullify disagreeable federal laws, and increased the presidential powers.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

"Armistice" that ended the War of 1812, temporarily stopped fighting until the Battle of New Orleans. Did not address grievances that led to the war (stalemate for both sides). The British demanded a neutral Indian buffer state in the Great Lakes Region, control of the Great Lakes, and some of Maine, until they had to deal with the Congress of Vienna. American grievances were the Indian menace, impressment, Orders in Council, and seizure, showing the insincerity of the War Hawks.

Blue Light Federalists

Treacherous New Englanders who supposedly flashed lanterns on the shore so that blockading British cruisers would be alerted to the attempted escape of American ships. These extremists proposed SECESSION from the Union and make separate peace with Britain.

Hartford Convention (1814-1815)

Convention of Federalists from 5 New England states (MA, CT, RI, NH, VT) who opposed the War of 1812 and resented the strength of Southern and Western interests in Congress and in the White House. Wanted to redress grievances and redress their wrongs, signifying some radicalism. It demanded compensation for lost trade and constitutional amendments requiring 2/3 Congress vote. Death dirge of the Federalists

Effect of the War of 1812

6k Americans were killed/wounded, and coincided with War of the Sixth Coalition, when Napoleon invaded Russia w/ 500K

US after the War of 1812

Praised for bravery & standing up, excellent negotiators like Perry and Macdonough, respect U.S. diplomats, rise of presidents Andrew Jackson and W.H. Harrison. Manufacturing and industry was nationalized, and U.S. stopped depending on European industries.

Sectionalism

Loyalty to one's own region of the country, rather than to the nation as a whole

Rush-Bagot Agreement (1817)

Disarmament pact between US and Britain; strictly limited Naval armament on the Great Lakes; the agreement was extended to place limits on border fortifications; border between US and Canada is the largest unfortified border in the world

(Nascent) Nationalism

The most impressive by-product of the War of 1812. The army and navy were expanded to 10K and the Bank of the United States was revived by Congress in 1816. America emerged as 1 nation, as it led to birth of AMERICAN literature (Washington Irving and James F. Cooper first writers). Seen in manufacturing and industry. Stephen Decatur: "Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right, but our country, right or wrong!"

The American System

Economic program advanced by Henry Clay that included support for a national bank, high tariffs, and internal improvements; emphasized strong role for federal government in the economy. Strong banking system for easy and abundant credit, protective tariff for east manufacturing, creating networks of road and canals (Ohio River valley). Food and raw materials flowed from South & West, to North & East

Tariff of 1816

This protective tariff helped American industry by raising the prices of British manufactured goods pouring from Canada, which were often cheaper and of higher quality than those produced in the U.S. It was for PROTECTION, not revenue. 20-25% rate on dutiable imports- not high but a start

1816 election

Critical Election; End of the 1st Party System as the Federalist Party died out because the Democratic Republican Party adopted Federalist Economic principles; Ushered in an era of one party politics. James Monroe beats Rufus King (last Federalist), 183-34 electoral votes.

James Monroe

Democratic-Republican who served as the 5th president, and the successor to the "Virginia Dynasty." Went thru generations of Founding Fathers and nationalism. Was welcomed in New England in 1817. The Monroe Doctrine was specifically named after him

The Panic of 1819

Economic panic caused by over-speculation and a decline of European demand for American goods along with mismanagement within the Second Bank of the United States. Often cited as the end of the Era of Good Feelings. Deflation, bankruptcy, bank failures, unemployment, rise of soup kitchens and debtors' prisons. West was hit hard as their banks were "forced to the wall" and foreclosed mortgages on farms.

Reasons for expansion to the West

Continuation of generation, cheap land (Ohio Fever), crushing of Indians to create more land, and highway building to Ohio Valley. First steamboats emerged on western waters (1811)- new era of upstream navigation.

Land Act of 1820

Act that fueled the settlement of the Northwest and Missouri territories by lowering the price of public land. Also prohibited the purchase of federal acreage on credit, thereby eliminating one of the causes of the Panic of 1819. Buyer will pay $1.25/acre to buy 80 virgin acres

Sectional Balance

Idea that it was important to have the same number of free and slave states.

Tallmadge Amendment (1819)

Failed proposal to prohibit the importation of slaves into Missouri territory and pave the way for gradual emancipation. Southerners vehemently opposed the amendment, which they perceived as a threat to the sectional balance between North and South. The South ended this in the Senate as there was a balance of 11 free and 11 slave states.

Missouri Compromise of 1820

Allowed Missouri to enter the union as a slave state, Maine to enter the union as a free state, prohibited slavery north of latitude 36˚ 30' within the Louisiana Territory (1820). Lasted until 1854. Was a personal achievement of James Monroe, as he won a 2nd term as the ONLY candidate.

McCulloch v. Maryland (1819)

Case where Maryland tried to destroy a branch of the Bank of the United States by imposing a note tax. The bank was declared unconstitutional by Marshall, and Maryland's right to tax bank was DENIED. Endorsed Hamilton's "loose construction" theory. Supreme Court ruled by the Supremacy Clause, as no states can tax any federal institutions

Cohens v. Virginia (1821)

Case where the Cohens were found guilty to illegally sell lottery tickets by Virginia. Case reinforced federal supremacy by establishing the right of the Supreme Court to review decisions of state supreme courts in questions involving the powers of the federal government.

Gibbons v. Ogden (1824)

Case where a New York law awarded a monopoly for a ferry service. Invalid because the Commerce Clause of the Constitution designated power to Congress to regulate interstate commerce and that the broad definition of commerce included navigation.

Fletcher v. Peck (1810)

Case where private speculators were granted 35M acres by BRIBED Georgian legislature. Marshall will rule this an unvoidable contract, and the Constitution forbid state laws "impairing" contracts

Dartmouth College v. Woodward (1819)

Case in which the Supreme Court prevented New Hampshire from changing Dartmouth's charter to make it a public institution; the Court held that the contract clause of the Constitution extended to charters and that contracts could not be invalidated by state law. The case was one of a series of Court decisions that limited states' power and promoted business interests

Treaty of 1818

Treaty between Britain and America, it allowed the Americans to share the Newfoundland fisheries with Canada, and gave both countries a joint occupation of the Oregon Territory for the next 10 years.

Indian War of 1812

Event where Indians from Spanish Florida attacked the U.S., while Spain was dealing with Latin and South American revolutions. General Andrew Jackson DROVE into Florida to punish the Indians, executed 2 pro-Indian Brits. Completely disrespected the Spanish boundary.

The Menace of Monarchy in America

Term that stated that after Napoleon's defeat in 1815, the Europeans wanted to completely eliminate democracy. George Canning: British foreign secretary; asked the American minister in London if the United States would band together with the British in a joint declaration renouncing any interest in acquiring Latin American territory, and specifically warning the European dictators to keep out of Latin America. The Russian Empire also expands towards Alaska.

Monroe Doctrine (1823)

U.S. foreign policy regarding Latin American countries stated that further efforts by European nations to colonize land or interfere with states in North or South America would be viewed as acts of aggression, requiring U.S. intervention. Not really utilized until James Polk's presidency in 1845. Monarchs were angry. "Self-Defense doctrine"

Russo-American Treaty of 1824

Fixed the line of 54°40' (Southern tip of Alaska) as the southernmost boundary of Russian holdings in North America.