War of 1812
Causes, Battles, and Effects
Essential Idea
The war of 1812 helped make the United States a world power and it
sparked national pride.
Causes #1 - Impressment
Impressment is when the British started capturing American ships and kidnapping their sailers. Once Britain and France went to war again in 1803. America chose to stay neutral because they wanted to be able to trade with both. Neither Britain nor France accepted this. British warships tried to capture the Chesapeake American warship. After the Chesapeake resisted and the British fired upon it and kidnapped the sailers, many Americans were furious and called for war.
Cause #2 - Economic Problems
The Embargo Act of 1807 stopped America from ALL trade. This kept America safe and it avoided more war. However, without European trade the economy suffered. James Madison, a Democratic- Republican, was elected president in 1808. Even with the Non- Intercourse Act, the American economy still suffered and many wanted to start a war.
Cause #3- "War Hawks" Elected
In 1810, new "War Hawk" congressmen from the South and West were elected. The South got angry because Britain had damaged their trade with Europe. The west was angry because they blamed Britain for the Indian attacks on the frontier. Henry Clay, who later proposed a new economic system, also developed many compromises to prevent a civil war.
Cause #4 - Native American Attacks
Americans violated the Treaty of Greenville and moved into Indian land. British troops were still in western forts and armed Indians to attack the Americans. Tecumseh began recruiting and uniting tribes to protect their lands. At the Battle of Tippecanoe, William Henry Harrison led troops against the Indians. Which crushed Tecumseh's movement. He then fled to British owned Canada and confirmed that Britain was aiding the Indians.
Battle of Baltimore
At the Battle of Baltimore the British navy tried to attack but they were stopped at Fort McHenry. British ships retreated and the Chesapeake area was saved. Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star-Spangled Banner,” after the war inspired him. This later became the national anthem.
Fighting at New Orleans
This battle was led by Andrew Jackson. Britain wanted to capture New Orleans and the Mississippi River so that they could cut off trade. After American troops beat Britain, it made Jackson a national hero and inspired nationalism throughout the country.
War of 1812 Aftermath
Factories grew during the war and America depended less on British manufacturing. The Federalists looked unpatriotic after the Hartford Convention and “died out”. William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson became heroes. There was a new international respect and America had become a world power. America entered a period of nationalism. It turned from Europe and we started looking west to expand. Americans created a unique culture that was distinct from Europe.