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?
