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Impressment of Sailors
The impressment of sailors was a major cause of the War of 1812. Impressment was when the British would seize American ships, capture sailors, and force them to fight in their military. The United States believed that the British were violating the Americans' rights by taking them from their country and forcing them to work. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington thought it was best for the country if they stayed neutral in the war between France and Britain. Both countries were trying to get America to fight with them, but Washington thought that due to America's lack of money, resources, and military, it was best to stay out of it. In order to stay neutral, he continued to trade with both countries. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty was written by John Jay in an attempt to establish peace between Britain and America. Britain had been impressing American sailors, British soldiers refused to leave western forts, and they were giving the Native Americans weapons. These were all problems that were causing problems between Britain and France. The Treaty did not end up solving any problems. While Washington knew the treaty was not a good option, the only other option he saw was war. -
Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington's Farewell Address was written at the end of his second term as president. In this address, he told the public that he had decided to end his presidency rather than pursue a third term. He also explained his hatred and disdain towards the formation of political parties. He thought that they would lead to the violation of the citizens' right. Finally, he said that it was America's policy to avoid any permanent alliance to a foreign nation. -
Chesapeake - Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake - Leopard Affair was a British, whose ship was the Leopard, attack on the Chesapeake, the American ship. Four members of the British Navy had escaped onto the Chesapeake, and the British attacked the ship to get them back. This angered the Americans and worsened the relationship between Britain and America. -
Embargo Act of 1807
The Embargo Act was issued by Thomas Jefferson, who was the president at the time. The Act restricted all trade with foreign nations. Jefferson wrote this act to convince France and Britain to respect America's rights to stay neutral. The act ended up being extremely detrimental to the economy - it decreased greatly the money brought in from exports and left thousands of people without jobs. -
Tecumseh - Capture of Detroit
In the Battle of Detroit, the Americans, led by General William Hull, were in their fort in Detroit. Tecumseh's tribe of Indians surrounded them, and the British fired on the fort. Hull surrendered the fort despite his troop's disagreement. The British took the fort without a fight from the British. -
Tecumseh - Battle of Tippecanoe
The Battle of Tippecanoe was a conflict between Americans and the Native Americans. There were hordes of pioneers flooding into native lands. William Henry Harrison, an American governor, approached the village of with his army. He drove off the Indians and burned their village. Tecumseh had left the village to look for allies in the south, and when he returned, he found the destroyed village and declared "eternal hatred" towards America. He allied himself with Britain. -
War Hawks
The War Hawks was a group of Congressmen who were fighting for the declaration of war against Britain. The group's main leader was Henry Clay. The group consisted mostly of younger men from southern and western states. They were for the war because they were for the expansion of America. -
War of 1812 Begins
The War of 1812 was a war between Great Britain and America. It lasted from June 6, 1812 to February 18, 1815. America declared war on Britain because of impressment of American sailors and the British Order in Council, which was a British restriction on American trade. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a series of meetings held from December 15, 1814 to January 5, 1815 in Hartford, Connecticut. In the Conventions, Federalists discussed their grievances about the War of 1812. The meetings ended up leading to the downfall of the Federalist Party because people viewed it as unpatriotic. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was a peace treaty that ended the War of 1812. Britain, wear to continue fighting, agreed to return to the way things were before the war. However, the Treaty failed to address the issues the war was initially fought for - impressment, naval blockades, and the British Order in Council. -
Battle of New Orleans
Two weeks after the end of the war, the Battle of New Orleans was fought, and it became the greatest American victory. The British were trying to capture New Orleans because they thought it would lead to Louisiana seceding from America. However, Pirate Jean Lafitte warned America, so they were able to beat the British there. The British were unable to get through the American forces, led by General Andrew Jackson, and they retreated in just a half an hour. This battle boosted American pride.
