Causes of War of 1812

US neutrality
War between Britain and France
British Impressment of American sailors
Cont’d harassment of US shipping/trade
Hope of territorial expansion into Canada
British support and supply of Native Contestants on frontier

War of 1812

Causes

The British increased harassment and seizures of US vessels during Jefferson Administration
The British practice of taking American sailors and pressing them into service in the Royal Navy draws outrage
British also found to be encouraging, sometimes with supplies, Native resistance on American Frontier
Dem-Rep party also hopes for opportunity to Take Canada-> removing British from North America

I. Embargo Act 1807 (Dec.)

Chesapeake Incident- June 1807
British worship the Leopard demanded to board the US vessel the Chesapeake. The Capt refused and the Leopard opened fire, boarded, and removed 4 sailors-> 18 men were wounded/3 Americans died
US Public outraged-> demanded a response
Jeff Admin responded by passing the Embargo Act of 1807 (Dec)-banning trade with all foreign countries
Intent was to hurt British and French trade compelling them to start respecting US shipping and sovereignty on the seas
Result-> no effect on either Britain or France-> instead it severely damaged US economy
Devasting the commercial regions of New England and New York
By Dec 1808 (1 yr in) Jeff had received 199 petitions to repeal it
Madison wins the 1808 election (4^th prez) replaced Embargo Act with Non-Intercourse Act in 1809
Non-Intercourse Act tangled Britain and France specifically and declared that we would resume trade with which ever nation started respecting US first
Three economic sanction/trade polices did little more than damage our economy
Shawnee chief Tecmish and his brother the “prophet” united many tribes to resist American settlement frontier
This resulted in on increase in frontier conflict (ex. Battle of Tippecanoe Nov 1811)
Dem-rep congressmen were convinced the British were behind the resurgence after British arms were discovered at the battle
South and west are where Dem-reps are
Federalists are from New England/New York area
These western Dem-rep congressmen become very vocal in calling for war-> “warhawks”
Henry Clay (from Kentucky) voice of the west
John C. Calhoun (SC)- voice of the south
Madison agreed and asked congress for a declaration of war-> June 3, 1812- congress declared war on Britain
First time in American history there is an official declaration of war

The War

The Canadian Campaign-> poorly planned ultimately unsuccessful- invasion was a disaster-> by the end 1812 British controlled ALL Great Leakes region
US did score an important victory Sept 1813 when Commodore Perry defeated British at Battle of Lake Erie
After noble victory was the capture (and burning) of British Canadian capital of York (today Toronto)

The Creek War- 1813-1814

The most powerful southern tribe the Creek were split- pro-Am (lower creek)/ anti-Am (redsticks)
A group of redsticks were ambushed at Burnt Corn Creek returning from picking up British supplied arms from Pensacola
The Red Sticks retaliated by attacking Ft Mins killing 250 men, women, and children- most deadly attack in US history
Horror and outrage over “Ft Mins Massacre” result in US gov calling on militias to conquer the Creek
Battles ensue in 1813 into the Spring of 1814. On March 27, 1814, Andrew Jackson and his “Tenn Volunteers” aided by Cherokee warriors defeat the Red Sticks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend on the Tallapoosa River- “conquered” the Creek nation
Jay later takes over treaty negotiations with Creek-> extreme/harsh land concessions-> ever from those that assisted him

Summer 1814

British fleet had been in Chesapeake Bay trying to decide where to land troops
British route the Americans at the Battle of Bladensburg Aug 1814 then March to Washington DC
British burn DC then march to Baltimore where they are supposed to rendezvous with navy to capture Baltimore
Army held up/behind schedule-Navy decides to begin bombardment of Ft. McHenry by British Navy lasted 26hs -> Ft did NOT fall
On American attorney that witnessed it all from aboard a British ship was filled with pride and inspired to write a poem later set to music-> National Anthem Star Spangled Banner Frances Scott Key

Back South

After conquering the Creeks, Jackson goes to Mobile (taken from Spain April 1813)- Jax expected the British (operating from Pensacola) to attack Mobile in order to use it as a staging point for an overland approach to New Orleans
He reinforced Ft Bouyer (Ft Morgan Republic) during Summer of 1814
British and Creek allies attacked Ft Bouyer September 1814-> Ft. Bouyer does NOT fall- so British can’t get to NOLA from East/Mobile
Jax then attacked British in Pensacola in Nov. Driving them out. Returns to Mobile-received urgent requests to get to NOLA prepare defenses

Battle of NOLA Jan 8, 1815

Resounding American Victory
US casualties- 71
British- over 2,000
A wave of Patriotism/Nationalism sweeps the country
Word of the treaty (signed Dec 24, 1814) reaches the US AFTER the Battle0 giving the impression that US victory in NOLA drove the British to negotiate a treaty
Est firm US control of Gulf Coast- question is settled
Made Jax (hero of Battle of NOLA) a superstar-biggest thing sing G.W.- sets him on a path that will eventually lead to the White House
Hartford Convention Dec 1814- inventing of New England leaders in Hartford Con to discuss ways to bring war to end
This was not long discussed, BUT when word got out later- it made them all look like traitors
And after NOLA-they came off as cowards- P.R. nightmare-> the Federalist Party never fully recovered from this “black eye”