Chapter9Section3

Francis Scott Key and the Star-Spangled Banner

• Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" during the War of 1812

• Inspired by seeing the American flag flying over Fort McHenry after a British bombardment

• Fort McHenry is located in Baltimore, Maryland

The War of 1812: Causes and Outcomes

• War Hawks: Advocated for war to annex Canada due to perceived weaknesses in the British military

• Estimated that the U.S. had a significant advantage in the number of soldiers (over 100,000 U.S. soldiers vs. less than 5,000 British soldiers in Canada)

• Great Britain: Distracted by the war in Europe (Napoleonic Wars)

• Native American Conflicts: Ogallala Sioux and other tribes were a minor threat compared to British forces

• Notable defeat for Americans occurred at the Battle of Tippecanoe in November 1811 under General William Henry Harrison

Military Engagements

• At sea, the U.S. Navy had limited presence in comparison to Britain, possessing only 16 frigates

• British naval superiority continued for nearly a century following the war

Section Review Questions

1. Identify key figures: Tripoli, Stephen Decatur, Leopard, Chesapeake, and war hawks

2. Explain economic motivations behind French and British conflicts and U.S. involvement

3. Discuss President Madison's responses to British and French aggressions, including successes and failures

Tecumseh and Native American Resistance

• Tecumseh: Shawnee leader pushing for a united Indian resistance against American expansion

• Sequoyah: Developed a writing system for the Cherokee language, promoting literacy among the Cherokee people

• 1821: Cherokee leaders adopted Sequoyah's system, facilitating communication and educational development

• Tecumseh’s efforts to unify tribes faced significant opposition

War Outcomes on Land and Sea

• American forces faced difficulties during land campaigns, often poorly organized and untrained

• British forces successfully captured Washington D.C. in August 1814, burning it down

• Resistance at Fort McHenry prevented the British from taking Baltimore

The Battle of New Orleans

• General Andrew Jackson defeated British forces under General Packenham on January 8, 1815

• Despite occurring after the Treaty of Ghent was signed, this battle boosted American morale and nationalism

• Significant loss of life for British forces (over 2,000) while only a few Americans were killed

The Monroe Doctrine

• Asserted that the American continents were not to be colonized by European powers

• Pledged that the U.S. would not interfere in existing European colonies but would oppose new colonization attempts

• Resulted from concerns over European attempts to colonize the Americas

Supreme Court and Nationalism

• Chief Justice John Marshall solidified the power of the federal government through landmark rulings (e.g., McCulloch v. Maryland)

• Established the authority of the Supreme Court and national government over states, reinforcing federal supremacy

• Marshall’s rulings directly influenced the course of American law and governance even beyond Monroe's presidency

Postwar Issues

• The issue of slavery arose during Missouri's application for statehood in 1819, highlighting sectional tensions

• Missouri Compromise attempted to maintain balance, but was merely a prelude to greater conflicts leading to civil war.

• The Republican party, initially a unifying force, became fragmented, foreshadowing regional disputes and divisions.