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British Impressment
The British had a long history of impressing American sailors, but once America had been freed it was much more threatening to the country. As Britain needed more sailors, they stole more and more Americans off of neutral ships. The uptick in impressments led to severe American backlash, and impressment was the tipping point toward war. Even during the War of 1812, Britain stole more sailors, and James Madison, the President at the time, wouldn't negotiate peace until impressment ended. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
To protect American exports from the negative effects of distant wars, Washington announced America as a neutral state, meaning it would not be involved with wars, nor favor a side when exporting its' goods. This proclamation was extremely unpopular in America as the public saw this as deserting our allies in a time of need. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty resulted from John Jay being sent to Britain to prevent war, as cries for conflict were getting louder in America. Jay got Britain to surrender their forts in North America and let American exports go to Britain, which was previously blocked. The problem the American public had with this deal though was it allowed Britain to seize ships going to France if they paid the merchants back, indirectly allowing the impressment of American sailors to continue. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In his farewell address, Washington speaks on the importance of America being neutral in foreign affairs, which was again, disliked, by French sympathizers as it backed away from the promise to defend France. This was also the announcement of the first peaceful transfer of power in the world, which was amazing for history but the following Adams presidency made America seem weak as he was not the most powerful or impressive man. -
Pre-War Tecumseh
Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa had founded a religion that denounced foreign colonialism and wanted Native Americans to push against colonialism and take back their lands. This religion was very successful and led to the creation of Prophetstown, an inter-tribal community that grew quickly. In 1811, while trying to recruit more allies, Americans attacked Tecumseh's village, wiping it out entirely. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was an attack by the British HMS Leopard on the American USS Chesapeake. The attack resulted from an American refusal to be searched for deserters, and when the Americans refused, the British began shooting, which killed three Americans. This event created so much uproar for war that Jefferson created an embargo to prevent war because America had no money for war as all of its' navy was fighting the Barbary Pirates in the Mediterranean. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act was passed to prevent America from being dragged into the war between France and Great Britain. Both sides of the war were seizing American ships to starve the other side out, and the biggest loser was America, which was having all of its' trade stolen by foreign powers. To remain neutral, the Embargo Act was passed to stop all exports and limit British imports. The act did not work, instead damaging the American economy more, specifically Agriculture and Northern businessmen. -
War Hawks
The War Hawks were a group of young and militant Republicans, led by Speaker of the House Henry Clay, pushing for war with Britain to address American embarrassment. The War Hawks stated America had been embarrassed by the embargo and the attacks by Britain indirectly through Canadian influence on Native Americans against America. The War Hawks believed winning a war against Britain would give them British Canada along with Spanish Louisiana and Florida, as Britain and Spain were allies. -
War of 1812 Begins
The war began with a vote in Congress, which was voted on alongside the proposal to go to war with France. Only the war with Britain passed, and the belief is even though France violated American neutrality, they allowed free trade of American goods in France, unlike Britain. Along with the continued trade restrictions, Britain continuously seized ships and stole sailors through impressment. -
War Tecumseh
After having his life's work burned and looted by American colonists, Tecumseh took what was left of his tribe to Canada to partner with the British. The support of the British allowed Tecumseh to hold his land during the start of the war, even aiding in the seizure of modern Detroit. The British were pushed back into Canada in 1812 though, bringing Tecumseh and his confederacy with him. Tecumseh was later killed in the the Battle of the Thames, marking the fall of his confederacy. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a secret meeting of Federalist delegates from northern states over the War of 1812. The delegates were upset with the regulation of commerce under Republican leaders, which had focused on protecting Southern agricultural business and had damaged the Northern economy the most. With fears of large agri-business developing in the new territories and overrunning the north, the delegates discussed secession before deciding on a list of grievances and staying in the union. -
The Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the turning point of the War of 1812, resulting in roughly two thousand British casualties and a British retreat from Louisiana. The massive loss Britain took led to the signing of the Treaty of Ghent, ending the war. Such a decisive victory sparked patriotism across the country and pushed the general leading the American army, Andrew Jackson, to fame. His power and adoration by the public led to his presidency thirteen years later -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent ended the war between Britain and America, with both sides vowing to give back stolen land, prisoners, for Britain to yield its' claims on the Northwestern Territory, and for both sides to work towards the abolition of slavery. The treaty was negotiated in Belgium, and signed by diplomats from both sides in December of 1814, but was not ratified by the government of both sides until 1815, with fighting continuing until February of that year