Download MICKNOTES- (12) The War of 1812 (1809-1815)

The War of 1812 (1809-1815)
Timeline
1804: Thomas Jefferson reelected
1806: British Orders in Council
1807: Chesapeake incident
late 1807: Embargo Act passed
March 1, 1809: Repeal of the Embargo Act
March 4, 1809: James Madison becomes President
1809: Non-Intercourse Act
1810: Macon's Bill No. 2 passed
November 1810: Madison announces Napoleon's compliance with Macon's Bill No. 2
November 7, 1811: Tecumseh's headquarter destroyed at Tippecanoe
June 1812: Orders in Council Suspended
June 1812: War Hawks declare war on Britain
August 20, 1812: USS Constitution defeats the Guerriere
1812: 3-pronged US attack on Canada
September 1812: USS Wasp fights the Frolic
1813: Battle of the Thames, Tecumseh killed
September 9, 1813: Perry forces surrender of British fleet on Lake Erie
September 11, 1814: Thomas Macdonough defeats the British near Plattsburgh in a naval
battle
March 27, 1814: Battle of Horseshoe Bend
August 1814: 4,000 British land near Chesapeake Bay
August 24, 1814: Battle of Bladensburg: General Winder defeated
Dec 15, 1814: Hartford Convention begins
December 24, 1814: Treaty of Ghent officially ends War of 1812
January 5, 1815: Hartford Convention ends
January 8, 1815: Battle of New Orleans (Jackson crushes British)
Summary
The immediate causes of the War of 1812 were a series of economic sanctions taken by the
British and French against the US as part of the Napoleonic Wars and American outrage at the
British practice of impressment, especially after the Chesapeake incident of 1807. In response
to the 1806 British Orders in Council, which crippled American trade, the US (under Jefferson)
first tried various retaliatory embargoes. These embargoes hurt the US far more than they did
Britain, angering American citizens and providing support to War Hawks in Congress like Henry
Clay. In 1812, with President Madison in office, Congress declared war against the British.
The war began with an attack on Canada, both as an effort to gain land and to cut off British
supply lines to Tecumseh's Indian confederation, which had long troubled the US. The initial
battles in Canada were not as easy as the War Hawks hoped, and the inexperienced American
soldiers were pushed back rapidly. In fact, only by virtue of clutch naval victories by Oliver
Hazard Perry on Lake Erie and Thomas Macdonough on Lake Champlain was a serious
northern- front invasion of the United States, including New York, prevented. General William
Henry Harrison's forces did manage to kill Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames in 1813, in the
midst of a decisive victory against the British General Isaac Brock's smaller force.
On the Mid-Atlantic Coast, British troops landed in the Chesapeake Bay area in 1814, and
marched towards Washington. US General William Winder made an attempt to stop the British
forces, commanded by General Robert Ross, at Bladensburg. The US troops were badly
routed. The city of Washington was evacuated, and the British burned the Capitol and the White
House, along with most of nonresidential Washington.
The British pressed onward, and Admiral Cochrane sought to invade Baltimore. General Ross
was killed as his forces advanced towards the city, and their movement stalled. Cochrane's
forces bombarded Fort McHenry, which guarded Baltimore's harbor, but were unable to take it.
This event inspired Francis Scott Key, an American lawyer detained on one of Cochrane's
ships, to write the Star-Spangled Banner. Unsuccessful at Baltimore, Cochrane's damaged fleet
limped to Jamaica for repairs, and made preparations for an invasion of New Orleans, hoping to
cut off American use of the Mississippi River.
By mid 1814, the War of 1812 was turning out to be tougher fighting than either side expected.
Britain, caught up in the costly Napoleonic Wars, began to look for a way to extricate itself from
its American commitment. In the Belgian city of Ghent, American negotiators (including John
Quincy Adams and Henry Clay) met with British diplomats. After considerable bickering, the
negotiators signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814, officially ending the war. The
treaty returned US-Britain relations to the same status as they had been before the war. The US
neither gained nor lost any territory. Impressment went unaddressed.
The war was officially over, but news traveled slowly across the Atlantic Ocean. In New Orleans,
Cochrane landed the British troops, who were still waiting for their replacement commander for
Ross, General Packenham, to arrive from Britain. On January 8, 1815, Andrew Jackson's ragtag
army soundly defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Even though this battle had
been fought unnecessarily (the treaty was already signed) the US celebrated wildly, manifesting
an upsurge in American nationalism.
Although the war had sheltered New England manufacturing from British competition, New
England merchant shipping had been seriously hurt, and a group of Federalists met at the
Hartford Convention in late 1814 to discuss their grievances. A few talked of secession from the
Union, but most just wanted to make it hard for the US to declare war or impose embargoes in
the future. When the news of the treaty from Ghent arrived, it made the Federalists look silly, or
even treasonous. The Hartford Convention spelled the end of the Federalist Party
Context
Coming out of the American Revolution, the US and Britain still faced many unresolved
tensions. The British practice impressment had gone on for hundreds of years, and the
independence-minded Americans were no longer willing to tolerate such an affront to their
sovereignty. Further, thanks to memories of the Revolutionary War, deep enmity remained
between the two nations: Britian had a score to settle, and the US felt deeply that it had to stand
its ground. Many at the time of the War of 1812 considered it a "Second War for American
Independence," linkages with the first stood strongly in many minds.
While pressure for war with England built during his presidency, Thomas Jefferson looked back
to the painful struggle of the Revolutionary years and did all he could to search for more
peaceful alternatives, such as an embargo. The legacy of the Revolutionary War, however, had
a double impact. While it discouraged the desire for war in the generation that fought it, its
successes made the men of the next generation seek a war of their own. It was a desire to
mathc and surpass their father's tales of the Revolutionary War that made the young War
Hawks in Congress so pro-war by 1812.
Most clearly, the War of 1812 was an outgrowth of the Napoleonic Wars, a series of conflicts in
Europe from around 1800 to 1815. Napoleon was trying to hurt Britain's economy with his
Continental System; Britain retaliated with economic sanctions of its own, preventing imports
from the rest of the world into European ports. Fledgling America felt the pinch in this titanic
battle between France and Britain, and it made an attempt to play the great powers against
each other with Macon's Bill No. 2, which promised US support for whichever nation stopped
the embargo on American ships. These attempts backfired, as Napoleon tricked Madison by
agreeing to abide by Macon's bill without actually doing so. The US had taken a powerfully
antagonistic position toward Britain with little to show for it. The situation fell quickly into war.
The War of 1812 had several important long-term results for the US. First, because it involved a
necessary ban on British manufactures, the war sheltered New England factory owners. Without
having to compete with cheap British goods, American industry jump-started during the war
years, accelerating the pace of industrialization in the North, a process that would continue for
the next hundred years with few interruptions. Also, at the end of the War of 1812, Henry Clay
proposed an "American System," including the building of a national railroad network. The
project of building a national railroad would continue on through the 19th century, transforming
the nation in the process.
Second, at the end of the war, Federalists upset with the war met at the Hartford Convention.
The meeting appeared to the country as unpatriotic at best, and treasonous at worst. As a
result, Federalist power declined rapidly, and the Federalists ceased to be players on the
national stage. At the same time, the mild Federalist talk of secession at the Convention helped
provide a foudnation for theories of States' Rights and secession that exploded in the Civil War.
Finally, the War of 1812 produced many heroes. In terms of future American politics, eventual
presidents Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison rose to national prominence by battling
Indians and Redcoats during the war. America's conception of itself also gained a defining gem
duyring the war: Francis Scott Key composed the words to the "Star Spangled Banner" at the
Battle of Baltimore in 1814. Further, this second war against Britain boosted American
nationalism, and paved the way for a primarily isolationist 19th century America. And though it
would be another century before the US would emerge as a world power, after going once again
facing the British and emerging intact, US sovereignty in the Western Hemisphere would never
again be legitimately challenged.
Timeline
Important Terms, People, and Events
Terms
Chesapeake - In 1807, off the Virginia Coast, the USS Chesapeake was approached by a
British vessel, the HMS Leopard, which asked to board and reclaim 4 deserters. When the
Chesapeake refused, the British vessel opened fire, in violation of international law and
outraging the entire United States.
Constitution - Also called "Old Ironsides", this US Naval ship surprised the world when it
defeated the HMS Guerriere in waters off Bermuda on August 20, 1812.
Democratic-Republicans - Party of Jefferson, opposed to the Federalists and their program of
strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution. The DemocraticRepublicans were a major political force from 1801-1825.
Embargo - An economic sanction that prevents goods from being shipped out of one country in
order to hurt the economy of another country or countries.
Embargo Act - Jefferson's 1807 response to British activities like the Chesapeake Incident.
Intended to hurt Britain and France, who were both interfering in US shipping, the Embargo Act
caused economic discomfort in the US and was repealed on March 1, 1809, to be replaced with
the Non-Intercourse Act.
Federalists - The political party of Alexander Hamilton, which advocated a strong central
government and loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Fort McHenry - American island fortress that guarded Baltimore's Harbor. In 1814, it withstood
British bombardment, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner.
Impressment - Technique the British used to staff their ships. Sailors from other countries
would be captured and forced to work for the British navy in a "press-gang" crew. Though
certainly a British technique, it was not as prevalent as exaggerated by American
propagandists.
Macon's Bill No. 2 - Madison's 1810 ploy to get either Britain or France to lift trade restrictions.
Under Macon's Bill No. 2, if one country agreed to free trade with the US, sanctions would be
re-imposed against the other nation.
Non-Intercourse Act - After the repeal of the unpopular Embargo Act, this 1809 law restricted
trade only with Britain and France.
Orders in Council - British laws requiring all ships wishing to trade with Europe to stop in a
British port first. (Impossible under Napoleon's Continental System.
Secession - When a state or states leaves the union based on the argument that if the union no
longer represents the interests of the state, it has a right ("States' Rights") to do so as a
sovereign entity.
Star-Spangled Banner - America's National Anthem, written by Francis Scott Key in 1814: "Oh
say can you see, by the dawn's early light, / What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last
gleaming? / Whose broad stripes and bright stars, thro' the perilous fight, / O'er the ramparts we
watched were so gallantly streaming? / And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, /
Gave proof thro' the night, that our flag was still there. / Oh say does the star-spangled banner
yet wave / O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?" (There are several other
verses)
War Hawks - Young group of politicians, representing mostly southern and western frontier
states, coming to power in Congress in the 1810s. The War Hawks were tired of their fathers'
stories about "whipping the British" in the Revolution and were anxious for war themselves.
Henry Clay, elected Speaker of the House, was the most visible leader of the War Hawks.
People
John Quincy Adams - Sixth president of the United States (1825-1829) and leading formulator
of American diplomacy.
Isaac Brock - General who commanded the British forces in Canada during the War of 1812.
Henry Clay - Kentucky Congressman and senator throughout the first half of the 19th century.
During the War of 1812, Clay was Speaker of the House and a leading War-Hawk.
Thomas Cochrane - British Admiral who commanded the Royal Navy's actions in the War of
1812, particularly the naval aspects of the assaults on Baltimore and New Orleans.
William Henry Harrison - Ninth US President. Major General Harrison became famous for his
victory over Tecumseh at Tippecanoe
Andrew Jackson - Also known as "Old Hickory", Jackson was the 7th US President (18291837). Jackson became popular thanks to several Indian campaigns against the Creek Indians
and his stunning victory over British forces at New Orleans in January of 1815.
Thomas Jefferson - The 3rd US President (1800-1808), Jefferson was the author of the
Declaration of Independence and a leading American political philosopher. Despite the
unpopularity of his 1807 Embargo Act, he was followed in the presidency by his hand-picked
successor, James Madison.
Francis Scott Key - American Lawyer detained by the British who, after seeing the American
flag remain atop Fort McHenry during its nighttime bombardment in 1814, was inspired to write
the Star-Spangled Banner.
Thomas Macdonough - US Naval Officer who embarrassed the British by winning the Battle of
Lake Champlain (near Plattsburg) in 1814, using cables to swing his boat around in a crucial
moment in the battle, presenting the enemy with a fresh broadside. His victory prevented a
British invasion of New York.
James Madison - Founding Father and 4th US President (1809-1817). Madison had been
Secretary of State for Jefferson, and as president he continued many of Jefferson's policies.
The War of 1812 took place during Madison's presidency.
Edward Packenham - British General who was to replace Robert Ross after Ross' death at
Baltimore. Packenham's late arrival in the New World severely hampered the amphibious
invasion of New Orleans.
Oliver Hazard Perry - An American naval officer, Perry's small fleet won a celebrated battle
against the British on Lake Erie.
The Prophet - Named Laulewasikau, a Shawnee visionary and brother of Tecumseh.
Robert Ross - British general who commanded land forces at the battle of Bladensburg in
1814, defeating General Winder and opening the road to Washington, which he burned, sparing
many private residences. Ross was killed in the assault of Baltimore.
Tecumseh - Shawnee chief and leader who organized an intertribal confederation to fight
against white encroachment in the Ohio Valley. He was defeated by Harrison at Tippecanoe. He
died at the Battle of the Thames, while siding with British in the War of 1812.
William Winder - General who commanded the disorganized American forces at Bladensburg,
leading to a complete route by the British.
Events
Bladensberg - August 24, 1814 battle in which British (under Ross) routed the Americans
(under Winder) so quickly that it came to be called the "Bladensburg Races". This battle opened
the way for the British to march to Washington, which they burned.
Treaty of Ghent - Signed on December 24, 1815 in the Belgian town of Ghent, the Treaty of
Ghent ended the War of 1812, returning the situation between the US and Britain to its status
quo ante bellum (the way things were before the war).
Hartford Convention - Meeting in late 1814 of discontented New England Federalists to
discuss their grievances with the War of 1812. Some members contemplated secession, but the
Hartford Convention was generally more moderate than that. When the war soon ended, the
Hartford Convention suggested to many that the Federalist Party was full of traitors, and the
Federalist Party fell into decline as a result.
Battle of Horseshoe Bend - Also called the Battle of Tohopeka; 1814 battle in which Andrew
Jackson crushed the Creek Indian resistance once and for all, ending his Indian campaign and
becoming a national military hero.
Battle of the Thames - October 5, 1813 battle in which General Harrison won a decisive victory
over the combined British and Indian forces in Ontario, Canada. Tecumseh was killed in this
battle. This victory helped make Harrison even more popular after Tippecanoe.
Tippecanoe - November 7, 1811 victory by General Harrison, in which he destroyed the
headquarters of Tecumseh's Indian confederation. Although the US forces suffered heavy
losses, Harrison was considered a victor and a hero, and he used the slogan "Tippecanoe and
Tyler Too!" in his later successful bid for the presidency.