Chapter 11.4 The Second War for Independence The War of 1812

Chapter 11.4 The Second War for Independence

The War of 1812

• When Great Britain and France went to war in 1803– America would find itself in

the middle of it with no way out.

– Napoleon was looking to conquer England and Europe

– England was looking to get back its colonies while stopping France

The British make the first move…• 1803-1808

– Parliament pass laws that allow British ships to inspect any ship in Atlantic Ocean• Looking for weapons being

sent to France

– What happens instead? • American sailors and ships

are being forced to serve for the British– Called impressment– Why?

» They need more ships to attack France

So what can Pres. Jefferson do? • Well, we can’t fight them yet

– Navy• USA = 6 ships• UK = 800 ships

• So, we make a law to keep us from having to deal with Britain

– Embargo Act of 1807• Law banned trade with all

foreign countries

• Goal:– Keep USA away from trouble in

Atlantic Ocean

Reaction to Embargo Act• Democratic Republican’s

– Loved it!

– Let America take care of itself

– Why were this way? • They were all farmers in

South

• Federalist supporters– Hated it!

– Main source of income was doing trade with UK and France• They were all merchants in

North

– What would you do if you lived in the North? • They thought about claiming

independence from the South and their POTUS…

Meanwhile, it’s 1808. Time for another election.

• TJ is done – Served 2 terms

• Democratic – Republican– James Madison

• Technically still Federalists…– Charles Pinckney

– Landslide victory for Madison• Becomes 4th POTUS

How does Pres. Madison deal with unpopularity of Embargo Act.

• Non –Intercourse Act of 1809– Banned trade with France

and Britain only

– Opened trade to West Indies and China

– Goal:• Keep merchants in North

happy…– It worked.

The British get sneaky…• Persuade Indians in the NW

territory to attack American settlers

– Aided by:• British weapons• Promise to have land back if

they help Britain take back colonies.

– Indians led by Tecumseh• Leads 700 indians into Indiana

Territory to take on U.S. Army – Led by William Henry Harrison

» Governor of Indiana territory

Battle of Tippecanoe

• US Army destroy Indian warriors– Chase them away from

battle of field.

• Then, Harrison orders the Indians village to be burned to the ground.

– Tecumseh and other tribes give up on their attacks on US settlers

American Response to Indian Attacks

• It was the British that forced them to do it!

• Pres. Madison asks Congress to decide what to do.– Congress:

• We must declare war on England and end this for once.

• War Hawks– Led by Henry Clay and

John C. Calhoun

War of 1812 begins…

• June 1812– America declares war on

England

• At time of war:– American army:

• 7,000 men

– Navy:• 6 ships

– Led by U.S.S. Constitution

• June 1812– England declares war on

America

• At time of war:– British army:

• 10,000 men

– Navy:• 800 ships

– 85 surrounding East Coast…

First battle of War of 1812• August 19, 1812

– Off of coast of Maine• USS Constitution Vs. HMS

Guerriere

• HMS Guerriere took first shots– Bounced off the side of “Old

Ironsides”

• USS Constitution returns fire– Blasted side in ship with “the

shock of an earthquake”

• We capture the crew and watch the Guerriere sink…

The British lick their wounds and send more ships….lots more.

Review Questions

• What is the Embargo Act?

• What is the Non-intercourse Act?

• Who is William Henry Harrison?

• What was the first battle of the War of 1812?