The Road to War: Renewed Conflict with

England & France

The Embargo of 1807• When England & France resumed war

in 1803 & violated U.S. neutrality, Jefferson approved the unpopular Embargo of 1807• To enforce the embargo, Jefferson

contradicted his principles of individual liberty & weak gov’t:–He mobilized the military to enforce

the blockade–He declared regions of NY (near

Canada) in a state of insurrection

The Embargo of 1807• For 15 months the embargo proved

ineffective; Congress repealed the embargo in 1809

• Jefferson’s decision to not run for a third term meant that these problems fell to his hand-picked successor, James Madison

• In 1808, Madison was elected president & the Republicans maintained control of the gov’t

“Never did a prisoner, released from his chains, feel such relief as I shall on

shaking off the shackles of power.”—TJ

Congress repealed the embargo just 3 days after Jefferson left office

But it produced economic hardship, smuggling, & political dissent in America

The embargo gained no political concessions from France or Britain

The Road to the War of 1812• The focus of Madison’s presidency

was foreign policy:–In 1809, the Non-Intercourse Act Non-Intercourse Act

promised the U.S. would resume trade with England & France once U.S. neutrality is respected–In 1810, Congress replaced this with

Macon’s Bill #2Macon’s Bill #2 offering exclusive trade to whichever nation 1st honored U.S. neutrality

Madison eagerly awaited

reopening trade with England

…but England continued to seize

U.S. ships

France agreed to end all trade restrictions (but never stopped

seizing ships or impressing sailors)

Which region would have supported a declaration of war the most?

Most calls for war centered on British interference with U.S. trade rights.

“Free Trade & Sailors' Rights” was a popular battle cry

NE Federalists thought war with Britain as a mistake: they feared the U.S. could

not defeat England & a war would bankrupt the country

Americans in the West & South wanted war to gain Canada & Spanish Florida

By 1810, War Hawks in Congress, led by Henry Clay (KY) & John C. Calhoun (SC),

demanded war with England

Madison eventually gave in & asked Congress for a declaration

of war in June 1812

Patriotism surged as War Hawks claimed the War of 1812 the “Second American Revolution”

The War of 1812

War of 1812• Despite increased patriotism, the U.S.

was unprepared for war:– Congress refused to raise taxes– The army was small & state militias

were inadequate – The government was incapable of

directing a full-scale war• The U.S. goal for the war was to

attack British Canada & force England to respect U.S. rights

The U.S. did not fare well against the better-trained British troops

The U.S. navy was a little more successful but only because the bulk of British navy

was still fighting Napoleon in Europe

The War of 1812

In 1814, the British took the offensive in a

3-pronged attack

British were turned back at Plattsburg on Lake Champlain & gave up their Canadian offensive

The British attacked the undefended Chesapeake & burned Washington, DC

& laid siege to Baltimore

The American army under Andrew Jackson defeated the British at New Orleans (after a peace treaty was drawn up ending the war)

Hartford Convention• Federalists opposed the war by not

paying taxes or sending troops• In 1814, Federalists met at the

Hartford Convention to discuss altering the U.S. Constitution to:–restrict Congress’ war powers –supported a one-term president –abolish the three-fifths clause

• They discussed seceding from the USA if they did not get their way

The War of 1812 is still going on!! In order to reduce southern

control of Congress

In order to break the Virginia presidential dynasty

Treaty of Ghent• Treaty of GhentTreaty of Ghent ended the war, but

did not address U.S. neutrality• Effects of the War of 1812:–Ended all Indian-British alliances in

western lands–Scared Spain into signing the Adams-

Onis Treaty in 1819 –The lack of Federalist loyalty was the

fatal blow to the party

Spain ceded Florida to the USA