The War of 1812(-1815)

“Mr. Madison’s War”

“The Second War for American Independence”

James Madison (1809-1817)

Causes

European wars…. interference with American trade – violated our right to freedom of the seas

Impressment of American sailors – kidnapping or “British man-stealing”

Problems on the western frontier – US blamed Britain Helping with Native American raids on

American settlements British forts & soldiers still on US soil

Influence of the “War Hawks” Young congressmen from south & west

(Clay & Calhoun) Desire to take all of North America

especially Canada & Florida

Americans had divided opinions Federalists and New Englanders

generally opposed the war because they felt the US was not prepared and war with Britain could ruin American trade; they believed most of the fighting would be directed at the Northeast

Southerners and Westerners supported the war as a way to settle problems – raids on the frontier, slaves escaping into Florida

Strategies

US – defend independence; invade Canada across the Great Lakes

Britain – blockade US ports; Split US at Hudson & Mississippi Rivers; Capture Washington, DC

Key Events

US invasion of Canada failed British burned Washington, DC

Capitol bldg. + White House Some Census records of 1810 burned!

Battle of Fort McHenry inspired the writing of the “Star Spangled Banner”

Hartford Convention – Switch in Party Platforms !? Federalists supported States’ Rights & Nullification

– wanted to amend the Constitution to require a 2/3 majority vote to declare war

Battle of New Orleans 1815 – decisive victory for US led by General Andrew Jackson (“Old Hickory”) actually fought after the war had ended –

but word didn’t get to the troops War was fought to a draw – US didn’t

win but we didn’t lose!

Results – The Treaty of Ghent

Status Quo Antebellum “The way things were before the war”

Return to pre-war boundaries No mention of impressment – “non-

issue” at the end of the war

Effects of the War of 1812

Isolation US should concentrate on matters within our own

country (Washington was right!) Westward migration

Safer now that the British & the Native American population had been remove

Encourage industrialization British blockade had forced Americans to “buy

American” during the war US had to rely on American industry to supply the

war effort

End of the Federalist Party Opposition to the war proved to be

unpopular idea Hartford Convention sponsored ideas that

showed little faith in the ability of the US to defend itself

Encouraged Nationalism Proud of the US – defended our

independence for a 2nd time & we didn’t lose!!!!!