lecture 18

By 1800, Americans of European descent outnumbered Native Americans in the Appalachian region.
Native American groups began leaning toward assimilation as their numbers dwindled.
Some Creek and Cherokee Indians became traders, farmers, and businessmen.
Assimilation was controversial among Native Americans.

Between 1800 and 1812, revitalization movements emerged among Native American groups to reject Anglo-American lifestyles associated with fighting, gambling, drinking, and sexual issues.
This era is referred to as the Age of Prophecy.

William Henry Harrison was dispatched by Thomas Jefferson in 1801 to implement an assimilation program for Native Americans.
Jefferson’s proposal:
- Native groups could either assimilate into a farming lifestyle or leave the land.
Harrison, as Jefferson's emissary, fervently supported this policy and used underhanded means to promote it.

Tenskwatawa (The Prophet), brother of Tecumseh, emerged as a prominent figure in the revitalization movement around 1805.
- Urged followers to reject European culture and practices including:
- Alcohol
- Western clothing
- Weapons and Tools
- Advocated for common land ownership, rejecting individual property rights.
Tecumseh, the military leader and brother of Tenskwatawa, sought to create an alliance among various Native tribes to counter European settlement pressures.
- Focused on uniting over 14 tribes in the Northwest Territory (modern-day Ohio and Indiana).
- He believed collective strength was necessary to resist encroachment by settlers.

Governor William Henry Harrison was alarmed by the growing numbers at Prophetstown (Tecumseh's base) and moved 1,200 troops to the site.
On November 7, 1811, following fears of attack, Tenskwatawa chose to strike first, initiating a fierce two-hour battle.
- Result: Native American forces withdrew, and Harrison’s troops burned Prophetstown to the ground.
This encounter is significant as it marked the beginning of the War of 1812 and bolstered Harrison's future political ambitions.

President James Madison, now in office, faced renewed tensions with Britain, leading to a reimposed trade embargo due to British impressment of American sailors.
A group known as the Warhawks, including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, advocated for war, arguing:
1. National pride must be defended.
2. The desire for land expansion (Canada to the North and Florida to the South).
Warhawks framed British actions as provocations against American honor, leading to increased public support for war.

Initial challenges included logistical shortages and the difficulty in raising an army, as peace-time reductions under Jefferson had left the military ill-prepared.
In 1812, the U.S. initially struggled against British troops still engaged with Napoleon in Europe, managing a notable victory at Lake Erie in 1813.
By late 1813, with the British free to focus on American tensions post-Napoleon, battles like Fort McHenry (where the Star-Spangled Banner was written) bolstered American morale and national identity.
On August 24, 1814, British forces burned much of Washington, D.C., further highlighting the precarious situation for the United States.
Final significant encounter - the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815:
- Andrew Jackson led a fortified force to a stunning victory against the British, inflicting severe damage (over 2,500 British casualties vs. 21 American).
- However, the Treaty of Ghent (ending the war) had already been signed but not yet announced, indicating a disconnect between military engagements and diplomatic resolutions.

The War of 1812 concluded with a status quo, with no territorial changes or alterations to impressment policies, yet resulted in a sense of national pride for Americans.
Many viewed the war as a reflection of American exceptionalism and military superiority, spurring a wave of patriotism in the aftermath.

The Federalist Party lost prominence following the War of 1812 due to perceptions of disloyalty and opportunism.
The parting phase of the War prompted a lack of strong federalist presence, leading into the Era of Good Feelings characterized by reduced partisan strife.

Following Madison, James Monroe took over the Republican leadership and won nearly all electoral votes in the presidential election of 1816.
Monroe appointed his political rival John Quincy Adams as his Secretary of State, showcasing cooperation across party lines.
John Quincy Adams, with extensive diplomatic experience, aimed to strengthen national governance and supported U.S. neutrality in European conflicts while promoting strong relationships with however state sovereignty offers.

In 1823, John Quincy Adams drafted the Monroe Doctrine, which outlined three key principles:
1. U.S. opposition to further European colonization in the Americas.
2. U.S.'s position of neutrality in European wars.
3. Warning against European interference in newly independent Latin American states.

The era following Jefferson's presidency set the groundwork for a complex and evolving national identity, encapsulated in the War of 1812 and the subsequent political dynamics under Monroe's leadership, with significant implications for future U.S. foreign policy and territorial expansion.

lecture 18 ￼