War of 1812

Impressment

British practice of taking American sailors and forcing them into military service

Chesapeake Incident

1807 - The American ship Chesapeake was approached by British ships to reclaim deserters(British soldiers who ran away). Americans refused and the British ship opened fire against the Chesapeake. Chesapeake was outgunned and had to surrender to the British. Resulted in a huge US outcry and Jefferson responded with the embargo of 1807

Embargo

A ban on trade with all foreign nations; Resulted in shutting down New England's trade. The South and West were left with piles of unsold goods. 1808 Illegal trade across the US-Canada border was in uprising

Non-Intercourse Act

1809 - Replaced the Embargo of 1807. Unlike the Embargo, which forbade American trade with all foreign nations, this act only forbade trade with France and Britain. It did not succeed in changing British or French policy towards neutral ships, so it was replaced by Macon's Bill No. 2.

Macon's Bill No. 2

1810 - Forbade trade with Britain and France, but offered to resume trade with whichever nation lifted its neutral trading restrictions first. France quickly changed its policies against neutral vessels, so the U.S. resumed trade with France, but not Britain.

War Hawks

Southerners and Westerners(Democratic-Republicans) who were eager for war with Britain. They had a strong sense of nationalism, and they wanted to takeover British land in North America and expand.

Henry Clay

Became the leader of the War Hawks. At 33, he was elected Speaker of the House by a War Hawk dominated Congress

Tecumsah and the Prophet

Native American leaders who resisted American expansion. Rallied a broad Indian Alliance to fight the white settlers. The alliance promised to sign no more land to the whites.

Tecumsah and the Prophet vs. The War Hawks

The War Hawks in Congress were convinced that the British were financing the Indian alliance from Canada. Tecumsah's forces attacked the frontier settlers.

Early War

The War Hawks were infuriated by British orders in Council, impressment, and assumed British support of Tecumseh. 1811 William Henry torched the village of Tippecanoe, Tecumseh's headquarters. With the Indians in the frontier nearly defeated, the War Hawks moved to attack the Indian supply base: British Canada.

War Begins

Congress declared war against Britian in 1812. British cancel search and seizure orders. Madison signs declaration of war on June 18

Military Comparison

Britain: 1000 ships; 112,000 man army; Great Experience

US: 17 ships; 12,000 man army; little experience

Course of War

1st Invasion Pt: General Hull attacks at Detroit and heads east

2nd Invasion Pt: Cross into Canada at Niagara

3rd Invasion Pt: cross into Quebec at Lake Champlain

American Fails

General Brock turns back American advance at Detroit and Niagara. Campaign at Lake Champlain falls apart due to bad management.

Campaigns of 1813

Americans invade at York(Toronto), burn the city, turn back

US Constitution had successful engagements against British frigates but no match for battleships

Britain blocks US coast

Defeat British in the Great Lakes

Tecumseh is killed at Battle of the Thames

Crash Course

British didn't kick US butt until 1814, after Napolean was defeated. Napolean's defeat also ended impressment bc Britain didn't need many sailors anymore

Initially much of the war was America's attempt to take Canada

British burn Washington

British land at Washington and burn the city + White house

Failed attempt at Baltimore

The Star Spangled Banner was written during the defense on Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor

American successes

The battleship USS Constitution broke the myth of invincible british fleets

William Henry defeated Tecumseh at the battle of the Thames

Battle of New Orleans - Andrew Jackson caused 2,036 British casualties while only conceding 71(Took place 2 weeks after the peace treaty had been signed)

Treaty of Ghent

December 24, 1814 - Ended the War of 1812 and restored the status quo(Both sides agreed to return to pre-1812 borders)

Nothing changed - ended in a draw

2000 British Casualties vs 100 US Casualties

Andrew Jackson was the War Hero

Treaty of Rush-Bagot 1819

Demilitarized the US-Canada border

Set the stage for final border agreement

No further war with Canada or Britain

Search and Seizure

The British Royal Navy set a blockade to starve France. American vessels were stopped, searched, and seized.

Impressment

British warships were short of sailors and began stopping US ships to take sailors they believed deserted from the Royal Navy. The US demanded the British respect their neutrality.

3 Prong-Plan

Plan to invade Canada from Detroit, NY, and Lake Champlain. Attack Detroit, capture Niagara, and secure Montreal at Lake Champlain

Britian 3 Prong Invasion

Aimed towards the top, middle, and bottom of the US. Landed in Washington and burned the White House

Francis Scott Key - "Star Spangled Banner"

Battle of New Orleans

Ended British Operations against the US

Gave the US victory in a second war of independence for the US

Marked the start of Andrew Jackson's march to the presidency