James Madison Ch. 12

James Madison and the War of 1812

Presidency

• James Madison served as the 4th President of the United States.

• In 1810, Madison enacted a policy stating that if either England or France repealed its commercial restrictions, the United States would restore trading rights. This reflected America's desire for neutrality in international conflicts.

• An understanding was reached between the French and the Americans, driven by Napoleon’s self-interest, subsequently angering the British.

Macon’s Bill No. 2

• Passed during the Twelfth Congress of 1811, which consisted of many newly elected members from the Southern and Western states.

• Led by Henry Clay, this group was known as the Warhawks and advocated for war against both the British and Native Americans, with Calhoun also among them.

Prelude to War

Native American Conflict

• On November 7, 1811, at the Battle of Tippecanoe in Indiana, General William Harrison defeated a Native American army that was motivated by ongoing struggles along the frontier.

  • Warhawks suspected British support of Native American forces through the provision of arms.

Declaration of War

• In June 1812, after much division in Congress, the United States declared war on Britain, primarily motivated by:

  • Greed for Canadian territory.

  • Anger over issues related to impressment and seizure of American sailors.

  • Alleged support of Native American uprisings by the British.

Lack of Support for the War

• New England regions largely supported Britain rather than the war effort, leading to serious disunity across the country.

• At the time, the American military was ill-prepared for war, and James Madison faced challenges during the election of 1812 as a result of these issues.

Areas Under Attack During the War of 1812

• Battles were concentrated around significant routes such as the Great Lakes and the St. Lawrence River:

  • Americans struggled to maintain their positions, facing overwhelming British attacks.

• Washington D.C. was attacked; the White House was burned, with Dolly Madison famously saving portraits and important artifacts.

Key Events

• At Baltimore, British forces were halted at Fort McHenry, famously inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the “Star-Spangled Banner.”

Treaty of Ghent

• Signed in 1814 in Ghent, Belgium, the treaty concluded the war:

  • Neither side gained or lost territory.

  • Fighting ceased without resolving critical issues like impressment and seizure.

  • The treaty signified that Americans proved they could defend themselves.

Hartford Convention

• Representatives from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island met to discuss grievances regarding funding and potential secession from the Union, marking the decline of the Federalist Party.

Rush-Bagot Agreement of 1817

• Limited naval armaments on the Great Lakes, improving relations between the United States and Britain and fostering peace in the region.

• It increased feelings of nationalism in the United States following the war.

The Era of Good Feelings under James Monroe

• The 1816 election marked the last time a Federalist candidate ran. James Monroe won easily.

• Following his inauguration, Monroe embarked on a goodwill tour across the United States, leading to the period known as the “Era of Good Feelings.”

Economic Crisis of 1819

• The downturn was caused by excessive speculation in Western lands.

• The Bank of the US foreclosed on numerous mortgages, resulting in a negative reputation.

• This set in motion the Land Act of 1820, allowing people to buy 80 acres of land for $1.25 per acre.

• The crisis led to many individuals being imprisoned for debt, sparking prison reform initiatives.

Western Growth

• Between 1791 and 1819, nine new states were formed, alternating between slave and free states.

• Henry Clay facilitated the Missouri Compromise, admitting Missouri as a slave state and Maine as a free state, while prohibiting slavery north of the 36-30 parallel.

• Monroe's presidency continued to face challenges, but he enjoyed a successful run in the 1820 election, facing no significant opposition.

U.S.-British Boundary Settlement of 1818

• In 1818, Andrew Jackson pursued native tribes into Florida, leading to tension with Spain, which erroneously allowed these tribes refuge.

• This led to the Florida Purchase Treaty where Florida was ceded to the U.S. in exchange for U.S. claims to Texas. This established a boundary for the Louisiana Territory.

Monroe’s Doctrine

• Articulated by President Monroe with key points emphasizing noncolonization and nonintervention by European powers in the Western Hemisphere, targeting primarily Russia and Britain.

• This doctrine prompted Russia to retract its territorial claims in the hemisphere.

Conclusion: The War of 1812 was a significant conflict during James Madison's presidency that revealed the United States' struggle for respect on the international stage and its burgeoning national identity. Despite the challenges faced, such as lack of support from certain regions and an ill-prepared military, the U.S. emerged with a strengthened sense of nationalism. The subsequent developments, including the Hartford Convention and Monroe's Doctrine, further shaped American politics and foreign relations in the years to come.