Notes on the War of 1812 and Nationalism

The War of 1812 and Nationalism

I. Key Features of the War of 1812

• Regular Army vs. Militias

  • U.S. regular army was inadequate: ill-trained, ill-disciplined, scattered.

  • Supplemented by poorly trained local militias, led by outdated generals from the Revolutionary War.

• Importance of Canada

  • Canada was a primary battleground due to weak British forces.

  • American offensives failed, partly due to strong British influence with Native Americans.

  • Capturing Montreal was vital: it was central to population and transportation; however, American invasions were unsuccessful.

• Early Conflicts

  • Fort Michilimackinac: Encountered a well-coordinated British defense led by General Isaac Brock.

  • American naval strengths counterbalanced army weaknesses: American ships had better gunners and larger, free crews.

• Control of Great Lakes

  • Oliver Hazard Perry: Built ships and captured the British fleet on Lake Erie, leading to British withdrawal from Detroit.

  • Victory at Battle of Thames in October 1813 solidified American control.

• British Invasion of New York

  • By late 1814, British troops aimed to invade New York; notable was Battle of Plattsburgh on Sep. 11, 1814, where Thomas Macdonough secured a pivotal American victory.

II. Key Events: Washington Burned and New Orleans Defended

• British Assault

  • August 1814: British forces entered Washington D.C., burning public buildings including the White House.

  • Baltimore resisted; Fort McHenry endured a bombardment that inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

• Battle of New Orleans

  • Third British attack focused on New Orleans, with General Andrew Jackson leading a diverse group of 7,000 men.

  • Battle on January 8, 1815, marked a decisive American victory, solidifying Jackson's status as a national hero.

III. Treaty of Ghent

• Negotiated in 1814, officially ended the war with no significant changes in land, emerging as a stalemate.

• Key points:

  • Omitted grievances (e.g., impressment, trade restrictions) that prompted war, viewed as a diplomatic draw.

  • Emphasized the desire to maintain territorial integrity—"Not One Inch of Territory Ceded or Lost."

IV. Federalist Response and the Hartford Convention

• Federalists opposed the War of 1812, leading to the Hartford Convention (1814-1815) aimed at addressing grievances.

  • Their demands reflected fears of losing political power and opposition to the dominant Southern influence.

  • Resolutions were moderate, suggesting amendments rather than radical secession.

V. Aftermath of the War

• Casualties: 6,000 Americans lost lives, natives suffered significant territorial losses.

• Native American Alliances: Tecumseh's death weakened Indian resistance, resulting in conflicts such as the Creek War, leading to significant territorial cessions.

VI. Rise of Nationalism

• Increased national pride post-war; the Bank of the United States was established in 1816.

• Americans took pride in domestic industry growth despite smaller urban centers compared to Europe.

VII. The American System

• Proposed by Henry Clay, aimed to foster economic independence through:

  • Protective tariffs

  • A national bank

  • Better transportation infrastructure

VIII. The Era of Good Feelings

• James Monroe's presidency marked by relative tranquility but underlying tensions grew.

• Goodwill tours built national unity while masking economic challenges.

IX. Economic Challenges Post-War

• The Panic of 1819 had significant social impacts such as bankruptcies and widespread unemployment.

• Resulted in increased class tensions, affecting national unity.

X. Expansion Westward

• Westward movement persisted; less than two decades, nine new states were admitted.

• The Cumberland Road and the Land Act of 1820 facilitated settlement.

XI. Slavery and Sectional Balance

• Missouri's statehood debate unveiled contentious issues regarding slavery; the Tallmadge Amendment proposed to limit slavery's spread, igniting heated political discourse.

XII. Missouri Compromise

• 1820 agreement maintained a balance between slave and free states, allowing Missouri as a slave state while prohibiting slavery in Northern territories.

XIII. Judicial Nationalism

• Supreme Court cases (e.g., McCulloch v. Maryland) reinforced federal authority and loose interpretation of the Constitution, impacting state rights.

XIV. Foreign Policy and the Monroe Doctrine

• Post-war nationalism pushed U.S. foreign policy.

• Monroe Doctrine (1823) was a hallmark of nationalistic foreign policy, warning Europe against interfering in Latin America while ensuring U.S. non-intervention in European conflicts.

XV. Legacy and National Identity

• The course of the War of 1812 and subsequent events shaped a national identity for America, emphasizing unity, strength, and the push for independence.