Download During his farewell address to the nation, President George

U.S. History
Chapter 10
The Reality of Neutrality:
Examining the Causes of the War of 1812
The great rule of conduct for us, in regard to foreign nations, is in extending our commercial relations, to have with them as little political
connection as possible. Europe has a set of primary interests, which to us have none, or a very remote relation. Hence she must be engaged
in frequent controversies the causes of which are essentially foreign to our concerns. Hence, therefore, it must be unwise in us to implicate
ourselves, by artificial ties, in the ordinary vicissitudes of her politics, or the ordinary combinations and collisions of her friendships or
enmities.
-George Washington, Farewell Address, 1796
During his farewell address to the nation, President George Washington warned the nation
against forming permanent alliances with foreign nations. He believed that the United States should
remain neutral. In 1797, John Adams became the nation’s second president and he would soon be
forced to consider Washington’s advice. France and Great Britain were still at war with each other.
The United States did not give military support to either side, but the U.S. did continue to trade with
both countries. During Adams first year in office the French seized American merchant ships to
prevent them from trading with Great Britain. Many Americans urged President Adams to declare
war with France, but he did not. Adams and France reached a peaceful settlement in 1800. The same
year that Thomas Jefferson was elected as the nation’s 3rd president.
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 13 words or less: ________________
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Jefferson was
right, everyone
should be
friends!!!
When Jefferson took office in 1801, he wanted to focus on domestic issues. Jefferson
believed that the issues facing Americans at home were more important than the issues taking
place in foreign countries. In his inaugural address, Jefferson stated that he would seek the
friendship of all nations, but would enter “entangling alliances with none.” Jefferson believed
that it would be easy for the United States to isolate itself from the problems in Europe and
Africa because of the ocean that separated the U.S. from the rest of the world. However, the
United States was involved in trade relationships with many European and African nations.
This fact made it very difficult for the United States to be “friends with every nation.”
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 12 words or less: ________________
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The war between France and Great Britain began in 1793 (sometimes referred to as the Great
French War). In some ways the United States benefited from the on-going conflict (i.e. the
Louisiana Purchase, increased need for trade in Europe). However, the French-British war also created
problems for the United States. France did not want the U.S. to trade with Great Britain and the
British did not want the U.S. to trade with the French. The British began interfering with American
trade ships.
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 10 words or less: ________________
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In 1803 the British enacted a policy of impressment (the kidnapping of American sailors).
Between 1803 and 1812, it’s estimated that the British kidnapped 6,000 Americans (forcing them to
work on British ships). In 1807, after a British ship attacked an American naval vessel, Americans
wanted President Jefferson to declare war on the British.
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 8 words or less: ________________
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American settlers living in the West also wanted Jefferson to declare
war on Great Britain. After the Battle of Fallen Timbers, Native Americans
continued to lose land. Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief, called on different tribes
to unite as one to fight against the American settlers invading their tribal land.
The British, still angry over losing the 13 original colonies, supported the
Native Americans by giving them weapons and supplies. Tecumseh was
defeated in the Battle of Tippecanoe, but the British allowed him to retreat to
Canada and regroup. Westerners demanded that the United States do
something to stop the British support of Native Americans. The westerners
who pressured Jefferson to declare war on Great Britain became known as War
Hawks.
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 10 words or less: ________________
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Jefferson did not want to declare war on Great Britain. Jefferson wanted to use peaceable
coercion (the practice of forcing someone to act in a certain way by using pressure and threats).
Jefferson knew that Great Britain depended on the goods it imported from the U.S. and the money it
made from selling products to Americans. Jefferson thought that he could force Great Britain to stop
kidnapping American sailors and seizing American ships if he cut off all trade with the country. In
1807 Congress passed the Embargo Act. The act made it illegal for American ships to sail to foreign
ports. It also closed American ports to British vessels.
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 10 words or less: ________________
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The Embargo Act proved to be a disastrous failure. It hurt the
United States far more than it hurt Great Britain. Southern and western
farmers lost money because they could not sell their cotton, tobacco and
grain to Great Britain. Northern merchants lost money because of the
restrictions placed on ships. Attempts at a peaceful resolution had failed.
On June 18, 1812, with the support of President James Madison, Congress
declared war on Great Britain (marking the beginning of the War of 1812).
Write a sentence summarizing the main idea of the paragraph in 10 words or less: ________________
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Name:
US History
Date:
Core:
The Reality of Neutrality:
Reflections on the Causes of the War of 1812
Directions: Use the reading from today’s class (Reality of Neutrality… handout) to answer the
following questions.
Fact Check…
1. True or False. In his farewell address, George Washington encouraged the United States to
become involved in world affairs (specifically the politics of Europe). Washington believed
this would help the United States become a super power.
I think that this statement is ___________________ (true or false) because in the text it says:
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2.
Which of the following best describes the meaning of the word “d
domestic” in paragraph 2?
a. Dome-like, spherical
b. Economically dangerous
c. Relating to foreign matters
d. Relating to matters at home
3. True or False. France and Great Britain both respectful of the United States’ decision not to
get involved in their war.
I think that this statement is ___________________ (true or false) because in the text it says:
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4. What is “iimpressment”: __________________________________________________________
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5. What was the Embargo Act and was it a success or failure? _____________________________
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Reader Response.
1. Briefly summarize today’s reading.
Remember to….
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Begin by stating the main idea of the text (paraphrase)
Paraphrase the major details from the text
Leave out all of the minor details
Follow the structure of the original text
Conclude with a thoughtful statement about the main idea of the text
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Summary Scoring Rubric
4
Advanced
 Shows a deep
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 All major details are
included and paraphrased
 Structure of summary
mirrors the structure of
the text
 Omits minor details and
unnecessary opinions
 Concludes with a
statement that deeply
connects to the main idea
3
Proficient
 Shows a clear
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Most major details are
included and paraphrased
 Structure of the summary
is very similar to the
structure of the text
 Contains no/few minor
details and unnecessary
opinions
 Concludes with a
statement that clearly
connects to the main idea
2
Developing
 Shows a basic
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Some major details are
included (may be in
author’s words)
 Structure of the summary
is somewhat similar to
the structure of the text
 Some minor details and
irrelevant opinions
included
 Concludes with a
statement that somewhat
connects to the main idea
1
Beginning
 Shows little/no
understanding of the
main idea of the text
 Few major details are
included and/or may be
inaccurate
 Ideas in summary not
presented in the same
format as the text
 Includes many minor
details and unnecessary
opinions
 Conclusion is missing or
does not connect to main
idea