War of 1812War of 1812

CAUSES1. Napoleonic Wars in Europe

• Britain and France were fighting over Europe

• American was trying to remain neutral and continue trade with both nations

• Wars lead to Embargo Act of 1807

Embargo Act of 1807Embargo Act of 1807 – Jefferson halted all

trade with England & France

Why is the Embargo Act of 1807 important?

Lack of trade with Europe hurt US economy Regional division occurred: Some parts of

the country want war with British; others do not

Causes, con’t

{Keep in mind what else is going on in America around this time, which brings us to CAUSE #2:}

2. British sided with Native American tribes as Americans pushed Natives aside during expansion

Causes, con’t

3. War Hawks Favored war with Britain Who were they?

Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]

John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]

The War Hawks’ Opponents?

• The Federalist political party! They oppose war– call it “Mr.

Madison’s War” Some threatened to secede from the

Union Northerners are Federalists, War

Hawks tend to be Southerners Beginnings of regional divide in the

nation!

WAR HAWKS

Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]

John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]

Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]Henry Clay [KY]

John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]John C Calhoun [SC]

Causes, con’t

4. Impressment Why might Brits have wanted

American sailors? Impressment means “the act of

taking men into a navy by force”

Battles• U.S. focuses much

of it energy north of our border near Canada

• U.S. wins naval Battle of Lake Erie, 1813 U.S. begins war

with a weak navy (compared to Brits)

Battles, con’t

• British invade via land and march to Washington, D.C., 1814 burn White House

• Battle at Fort McHenry, Baltimore Americans prevail,

defending the fort What is famously

written by a prisoner on a British ship in the Baltimore harbor?

Treaty of ghentTreaty of ghent

Battle of New Orleans ended Jan 1815

Neither side won the war, but by not losing, the US “won” (why?) Relations restored to

status quo ante bellum

US & Britain have yet to fight since

IMPACT of WAR of 1812? War improved US prestige overseas•Also created new spirit of nationalism & unity

Signed in Belgium on Dec 24, 1814

Hey, make sure you got the key points from this slide, since we were rushed. Be sure you can

tell me who the “winner” was of this war and WHY!

American Politics after the War of American Politics after the War of 18121812

1. U.S citizens are proud to have won• Increased nationalism!

2. Around this time the “common man” became more involved in politics and voting

• “Age of the Common Man”• voter turnout• Emphasis: All white males should have equal

access to the political system3. Presidential campaigning started to evolve

into what we think of presidential campaigning today

4. Rise of interest groups, sectional issues

"…OUR COMMERCE HAS BEEN PLUNDERED IN EVERY "…OUR COMMERCE HAS BEEN PLUNDERED IN EVERY SEA, THE GREAT STAPLES OF OUR COUNTRY HAVE SEA, THE GREAT STAPLES OF OUR COUNTRY HAVE

BEEN CUT OFF FROM THEIR LEGITIMATE MARKETS"BEEN CUT OFF FROM THEIR LEGITIMATE MARKETS"• Exports by State for Fiscal 1806 (Total value

of exports 101,536,963) • Exports by State for Fiscal 1807 (Total value

of exports 22,430,960) • Exports by State for Fiscal 1808 (Total value

of exports 16,022,790)

• Exports by State for Fiscal 1814 (Total value of exports 6,927,441)

• Exports by State for Fiscal 1815 (Total value of exports 52,557,753)