Impressment of US sailors
* They were essentially being kidnapped and forced into the British navy
British support of Native Americans
Failed diplomatic negotiation and economic embargo
Supporters
Federalists opposed war with Great Britain
* Often from growing, urban areas
* More of a merchant class
* A war will impact their business and make them loose money
* GB was our best trading partner and so opening the barely-closed wound might worsen relations beyond repair
* Hartford Convention
* Proposed changes to the Constitution (like getting rid of 3/5ths compromise)
* Some even suggest secession
Democratic-Republicans supported war with Great Britain
* Mainly agriculturalists, meaning their business was domestic and didn’t suffer as much in wartime
* Also the party most affected by Native resistance in the west, which the British were supporting
Chronology
Treaty of Ghent signed December 24th, 1814
* This takes place in Europe, however, and so news of the war ending doesn’t get back in time
Battle of New Orleans, January 8-26th, 1815
* American victory
News of Andrew Jackson’s victory, early February, 1815
* Jackson becomes a hero for his role in New Orleans
News of Treaty arrives in mid-February, 1815
It looks as if Jackson’s victory is what convinced the British to sign, but this is just because of the timing of events
Andrew Jackson becomes a war hero and launches his political career
* Historically and in the future, we will see that war heroes tend to do very well in presidential elections
The Treaty of Ghent
Signers from the US
* John Quincy Adams
* James Bayard
* Henry Clay
* Clay strikes again
* Johnathan Russell
* Albert Gallatin
Provisions
“All territory, places, and possessions whatsoever taken by either party from the other during the war… shall be restored without delay”
“All prisoners of war taken on either side as well by land as by sea shall be restored”
"US shall “restore to Tribes… all possessions, rights, and privileges… they have been entitles to in 1811 previous to such hostilities. Provided that such Tribes shall agree to desist from all hostilities against the US.”
Foreign Policy
Background
American nationalism is on the rise after the War of 1812
* Federalism has died out, so everyone is basically in one party
* When everyone is on the same page, things get done
* Economy is also doing well
Newly independent Latin American countries were vulnerable
Other European powers saw potential for expansion
Monroe Doctrine (1823)
By President James Monroe and Secretary of State John Quincy Adams in Monroe’s annual speech to Congress
* Note that he is talking to law makers, who can create change in foreign policy, so this purpose/audience may effect what he says
Was telling European powers to stay out of this hemisphere and leave the vulnerable Latin America alone
Expects that independent nations will remain so and not becomes targets for colonization
Unites States also agrees to not interfere with internal affairs of European countries
* “Don’t bother me, and I won’t bother you”
* Stays true to George Washington’s Neutrality Proclamation and Farewell Address
The question is if the US was really in a military position to enforce this bold threat