Nov. 14, Jefferson, Lewis & Clark, Embargo Act, War of 1812 — Notes

Louisiana Purchase & Exploration

Jefferson buys 828,000 sq. miles in 1803.
No way to survey it beforehand—no aircraft—so it’s a gamble.
Sends Lewis & Clark to explore (Corps of Discovery = ~53 men).
They travel up the Missouri River, against the current.
Men reportedly eat 8 lbs of meat/day for energy.

Purpose

Scientific exploration: map land, record plants/animals, find routes.
Searching for a Northwest Passage (nonexistent due to Rockies).

On the Expedition

Only one death: Sgt. Floyd, likely appendicitis.
Wintered at Mandan Villages.
Meet French trapper Charbonneau and Sacagawea (“Sah-KAH-gah-we-ah,” more accurate “Chah-KAHG-uh-way-uh”).
Sacagawea’s presence crucial:
- She recognizes her brother among the Nez Perce, securing help and safe passage.
Corps crosses Rockies on foot; no water route exists.
Reach Pacific, winter, and return.
Return as heroes; no contact for nearly 2 years.

Aftermath

Clark: marries his 13-year-old cousin (normal for era, obviously unacceptable today).
Lewis: dies in 1809; officially suicide, but possible homicide—uncertain.

Jefferson's Embargo Act (1807)

Background

Ongoing British impressment of U.S. sailors (kidnapping into British Navy).
France and Britain blocking trade during the Napoleonic Wars.
U.S. neutrality ignored by both powers.

The Embargo

Jefferson stops all U.S. ships from leaving American ports.
Intended to hurt Britain and France economically.
Actual effect: crushes U.S. economy, especially New England.
Political cartoon: “O-Grab-Me” turtle (Embargo backwards).

Results

U.S. exports collapse; Britain barely notices.
Damages Jefferson’s popularity.
Leads to unintentional growth in American industry, since imports were unavailable.

Fix

Right before leaving office, Jefferson passes Non-Intercourse Act:
- All trade allowed except with Britain and France.
- Should have been the original plan.

Rise of Sectionalism

New England Federalists furious—believe Jefferson targeted them.
South + West more pro-Jefferson and pro-agriculture.
Regions start splitting interests: sectionalism.

Causes of the War of 1812

True Causes

Impressment:
- Jumps from 5,000 sailors to 10,000 by 1812.
Violations of U.S. neutrality:
- British blockade; U.S. ships searched; cargo seized.

False / Exaggerated Causes

“British arming Native Americans.”
- Westerners believed it.
- Reality: Native groups getting many guns from American traders.

War Hawks (West + South)

Want to stand up to Britain “bully.”
Push Madison toward war.

The War of 1812

Declaration

Madison asks Congress for war; first declared war in U.S. history.
Britain had actually just agreed to discuss ending impressment—but news travels slowly.

Early U.S. strategy

Invade Canada.
Fails badly.
U.S. burns York (Toronto) out of frustration.

British Counterattack (1814)

Britain defeats Napoleon and sends elite troops to America.
Invades D.C. and burns Washington (revenge for York).
Dolley Madison saves Washington’s portrait of George Washington.

Treaty of Ghent (Dec 1814)

Ends war.
Restores everything to status quo antebellum (“as before the war”).
Impressment ends permanently.

Battle of New Orleans (Jan 1815)

Happens after treaty because news hadn’t arrived.
Andrew Jackson ambushes British in Louisiana swamps.
Britain: ~1,200 casualties.
U.S.: <100.
Makes Jackson a national hero.

Star-Spangled Banner

Written by Francis Scott Key during the attack on Fort McHenry.
Inspired by the giant flag still flying at dawn.
Later becomes national anthem.

Consequences of the War

Nationalism increases.
U.S. gains international respect.
Native American resistance weakens in Northwest/South.
Federalist Party collapses after Hartford Convention.
Industry grows because war blocks imports.
U.S.–Britain friendship begins after this war.

White House

Burned in 1814.
Rebuilt; exterior stone whitewashed, creating “The White House.”
Madison leaves one scorched patch as a reminder.