JAMES MADISON AND THE SECOND WAR for INDEPENDENCE
Dec 25, 2015
JAMES MADISON
AND THE SECOND WAR for INDEPENDENCE
MADISON’S CONTINUED COMMERCIAL WARFARE
Inherited a troubled Presidency
Attempt diplomacy and economic pressure
Ultimately took U.S. to war
MACON’S BILL NO. 2
Authorized the president to reopen trade with Britain and France
If either nation formally agreed to respect U.S. neutral rights at sea, then the U.S. would prohibit trade with that nation’s foe
NAPOLEON’S DECEPTION
Napoleon announced his intent to revoke decrees that violated U.S. neutral rights
Madison embargoed trade with Britain in 1811, though Napoleon continued seizing American ships
TECUMSEH Shawnee warrior
chief who organized a defensive tribal confederacy
He and his brother “the Prophet” received British Canadian backing
BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE
Gen. William Henry Harrison led a force of 1,000 men and destroyed the Shawnee village on Tippecanoe Creek
WAR HAWKS
“New Republicans”
Advocated nationalism and expansionism
Eager for war with Britain
Henry Clay
John C. Calhoun
WAR PREPARATIONS
April 1812 – Extended the Embargo for 90 days, Madison calls up 100,000 militia
Madison called for a declaration of war at the end of May – Britain suspended the orders in council June 16th
Unaware of the British concession, Congress moved for war June 18th
DECLARATION OF WAR ON GREAT BRITAIN
Madison’s message to Congress June 1st –
4 major grounds for war
1. impressment of American seamen
2. violation of U.S neutrality
3. blockade of U.S. ports
4. refusal to revoke the orders in
council
WERE WE READY FOR WAR?
U.S. Advantages
… Great Britain had limited resources
… Proximity
… U.S. population greater than Canada
… U.S. Navy manned by efficient and well-trained officers and crews
U.S. Disadvantages
… Small army composed of volunteers
… Lack of united support in New England (“Mr. Madison’s War”)
… Lack of a national bank
Bank Debate•Charter on the U.S. Bank was due to expire March 4, 1811•Congressional consideration postponed due to foreign affairs•“Old Republicans” opposed renewal•2/3 of the stock was owned by Britons – renewal would aid the enemy
Failure to recharter the bank deprived the government of urgently needed financial resources during the War of 1812
ELECTION OF 1812 – A DIVIDED NATION
Madison won re-election
Republican strength in the South and West overcame Federalist and antiwar Republicans opposition to war in the North
FRANCIS SCOTT KEY
Prisoner on a British ship – watched as the city of Baltimore fought the British
TREATY OF GHENT
Failed to settle the issues that led to war
Americans yielded on impressment and gave up Canada
British agreed to stop aiding Indians
Commissions formed to settle boundary dispute
GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON
Battle of New Orleans
Large British army was met by General Jackson’s militia
British and US had negotiated peace 2 weeks earlier
•Federalist from 5 New England states•Discontent with the war and Madison's administration•Secede or no?
Hartford Convention: Leap or No Leap