The War of 1812
Second War between Britian and America
The 4 Causes of the War of 1812
"War Hawks" Elected
"War hawks" were the congressman from the South and West that got elected. These people wanted to go to war against Britain. The War hawks of the South wanted to start war against them because Britain damaged Americas trade with Europe. The War hawks of the West blamed the British for the Indian attacks on the frontier. Henry Clay was a notable War Hawk because he later proposed a new economic system for America. Clay also developed compromises to prevent Civil War.
Impressment
Impressment means taking of men by ship and that's exactly what happened. Britain again captured American ships and kidnapped the sailors. America was trying to trade with Europe but France and Britain kept capturing the the ships. America finally declared neutrality and wanted to trade with both France and Britain. Neither Britain or France accepted neutrality.
Native American Attacks
The Native American attacks took place mostly because the American's violated the Treaty of Greenville and moved into Indian territory. The Indians had gun fire weapons but they only made weapons with there hands. The British had armed the Indians to attack the Americans. The British were in western forts so they were close to give the Indians the weapons. Tecumseh, a Native American leader, began uniting and recruiting tribes to protect their lands.
Economic Problems
The Embargo Act of 1807 was when America stopped all trade with Europe. Thomas Jefferson was the man who proposed the Embargo Act to avoid war. The good result of this was that is kept American ships from being taken and avoided war. The bad thing this act caused is without European trade the American economy suffered with income. In 1808, James Madison was elected president and made the Non-Intercourse Act. This act restored trade with all of Europe except Britain and France.
Battle Regions
Fight on the Canadian Border
The British and American natives fought battles on the Great Lakes. The American Natives burned down what today is Toronto. The Americans tried to invade Canada in three locations but failed. Britain tried to invade New York and New England but failed. If the British would've been succeeded the whole war could have possibly been lost.
Battle of Baltimore
The British navy tried to attack Baltimore but were stopped at Fort Mchenry. One major person in the Battle of Baltimore is Francis Scott Key. Key was inspired by the battle and wrote what became " The Star Spangled Banner " which is now the National Anthem.
Aftermath of the War of 1812
- Factories grew during the war and America depended less on British manufacturing.
- The federalists looked unpatriotic after the Hartford Convention and "died out"
- International respect; America had become a world power
- America turned from Europe and looked west to expand