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Impressment of sailors
There were more than 10,000 American sailors were impressed by the British from the year 1793 to 1812. Jay's Treaty did not address the British impressing the American sailors into the Royal Navy. This event ended as the Americans were angered and led to the War of 1812 with Great Britain. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
As France and Great Britain were going to war during the French Revolution, Washington proclaimed that the U.S. needed to be "friendly and impartial toward the belligerent powers". He essentially states that they should remain neutral with the conflict going on between Great Britain and France. -
Jay's Treaty
George Washington sent John Jay(the chief justice at the moment) to London. Jay ended up making a treaty that had British soldiers withdraw from western areas(basically settling disputes with Great Britain). Republicans and the French would mainly see this treaty as France had helped America gain independence. -
Washington's Farewell Address
George Washington wrote his Farewell Address toward the end of his term, in this letter he warned the country to stay away from making any permanent alliances with other countries(to avoid any wars). He also told Americans to not allow political parties to create a division between them. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
This is the event here the American ship, Chesapeake, did not allow the British(the Leopard ship) to board their ship to look for naval deserters. Three Americans ended up being killed causing them to surrender and allow the British to board and take in who they believed to be British deserters. This angered the Americans leading to the Embargo Act. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act was passed by Congress prohibiting any foreign commerce. This generally destroyed the economy as exports and prices were dropping, and agricultural interests were suffering. The act targeted Great Britain to stop them from impressing the sailors; however, it only damaged the country more. -
Tecumseh(1)
In 1811, at the time, the Shawnee Chief Tecumseh tried negotiating with the American government to stop expanding into western land/native land. Tecumseh developed a confederacy(a small government/alliance) of native tribes to represent the ideas of the natives. The negotiation did not work and led to violence. Tecumseh advocated for peace and met with other native leaders away while Harrison(current governor) marched to their headquarters and burned the town. -
War Hawks
War Hawks were essentially young politicians from the South and the West mainly led by Henry Clay. They were known for steering the U.S. toward war. Clay argued that Great Britain was the bigger "offender" even thought both Britain and France harmed the country. -
War of 1812 Begins
The war hawks were able to convince Congress and the current president, James Madison. It lasted from June 1812 to February 1815. The southerner and westerners supported the war and conflict while New York and northerners were against the war. The state militias had poor training and barely 7,000 soldiers. -
Tecumseh(2)
Battle of Thames - The Shawnee chief Tecumseh was still angered by the U.S. constantly expanding. He decided to lead an army of multiple tribes with the British against the U.S. Tecumseh passed away and the Confederacy fell apart causing the British to retreat mainly giving America control of their land. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a meeting of selected Federalists in Hartford, Connecticut by legislatures of the northern states known as New England. They gathered to discuss their opposition to the war and how it was "ruining the economy". They were able to trade with the British and create a series of constitutional amendments to protect their ideas. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Belgium. Its purpose was to restore all land, prisoners, ships, and military resources were restored to settle boundary disputes. This treaty was known essentially for ending the War of 1812. -
Battle of New Orleans
Andrew Jackson's army had reached New Orleans with his army and won the battle against the British force. This win became an illustration of American democracy winning over the old European effects. This was the last major battle between the United States and Great Britain for a while.