War of 1812

Section Objectives
  • Identify events that led to the Warhawks' call for war.
  • Analyze major battles and conflicts of the War of 1812.
  • Explain the significance of the War of 1812.
Background Causes
  • Free Trade and Sailors' Rights: Popular among US sailors and merchants.
  • Jefferson's Policies:
    • Attempted to keep the US neutral in conflicts between France and England.
    • Embargo Act of 1807: Aimed to pressure Britain, ultimately frustrated many Americans.
  • Divergent Views:
    • Northeasterners (aligned with Federalists) feared war due to unpreparedness against the British Navy; worried about economic bankruptcy.
    • Southern and Western states pushed for war for territorial expansion and the belief that defeating Britain would allow for settling in Canada and Florida.
Motivations for War
  • British Support for Native Americans:
    • The British aided Native American tribes, which hindered American expansion.
  • Impressment Practices by the British Navy:
    • British captured American ships and sailors, leading to public outrage.
    • Over 6,000 American sailors were reportedly captured in the early 1800s.
The Warhawks
  • Definition: A group of Congress members advocating for war against Britain from 1810 onward.
  • Strategy and Influence:
    • Led key congressional positions—Speaker of the House, chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee.
    • Maintained focus on British injustices, influencing public opinion towards war.
    • Despite opposition, they expanded the American military to signal readiness.
War Preparation and Ill-Equipped Military
  • US Military Strength:
    • Fewer than 7,000 soldiers in the US Army compared to Britain's 400+ warships and 6,000 impressed American sailors.
    • Strategy to invade Canada and disrupt British supply lines at sea.
Major Battles and Events
  • Initial Failures:
    • American forces struggled to capture British settlements in Canada (e.g., Battle of Detroit).
    • Significant early defeats at Buffalo and Lake Champlain.
  • Key Victory:
    • Battle of Lake Erie (1813): Led by Master Commandant Oliver Hazard Perry, the US Navy achieved its first major victory, capturing the entire British fleet.
    • Tecumseh's death during this battle decreased Native American resistance.
  • British Resurgence:
    • After defeating France in Europe, Britain sent 18,000 reinforcements.
    • British forces took control of Washington DC in 1814, burning the capital.
  • Battle of New Orleans:
    • Despite a peace treaty signed before the battle, American forces (a mix of settlers, pirates, freed slaves, and Native Americans) inflicted heavy casualties on British troops.
Aftermath and Significance
  • Treaty Outcome:
    • Treaty of Ghent restored pre-war conditions without addressing key issues like trade interference.
  • Significance of the War:
    • The war was largely seen as a draw, reshaping the future of Native American relations and leading to territorial gains for the US.
    • The US's willingness to defend itself led Spain to cede Florida.
    • The Federalist Party declined significantly due to opposition to the war; perceived as unpatriotic.
Effects on American Society
  • Impact on Native Americans: Native tribes lost significant territory and alliances.
  • Political Landscape: The Federalist Party's decline symbolized a shift in American politics, with increased nationalism following the war.