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Foreign Trade
Attack on the Chesapeak climaxed a two year test of American nuetraility by Britain and France. America claimed the right to trade with Brigian and France was neutral in the war of 1803. -
War reached a Stalemate
Britain was supreme of the seas and France was in control of most of Europe. In order to hopes of victory both nations attempted cutting off each others trade. -
Blockage of Trade 1806-1807
The British blockaded Europe's coast and banned all nuetral trade in ports under the French contorol. Napolen quicky srtuck back. He declared Britian under blockade and vowed that the French would seize any ship traded with Britian. -
U.S.S. chesapeak sailed out of the harbor at Norfolk VIrginia
James Barron spotted two British warships; wasn't concerned due to the British usually sailing to watch American and French ships. One of the British ships, H.M.S. Leopard signaled it had a message and to pull along side. The British admiral went to the Chesapeak for British deserters. Barron refused to allow the British search his ships; the officer left and returned to the leopard. Without warning, the leopard's gunports swung open and 3 broadsides ripped into the Chesapeak. -
U.S.S. Chesapeak CONTINUED.
barron knew his crew had no time to ready their cannon therefore. he was forced to surreneder. The British officers boarded the Chesapeak. The crew was mustered and their papers were examined. The British left taking four sailors. -
Jefferson Reluctant to go to War
Jerfferson weas reluctant to go to war, which turned into economic pressure. He recommended the Embargo Act, which forbade America to leave for foreign ports. By cutting off American exports, Jfferson hoped France and Britian would come to terms. It also was a way to protect American sailors and ships from seizure. -
Britian Back to Old Ways
The United States was caught in the middle of France and Britian. Britian went back to old policies, by halting American ships and impressing sailors. In one year, 781 Americans impressed into the Roayl Navy. Britian and France were abusing the U.S. nuetraility, and it angered Americans. Britiain fired on the Chesapeak, and cries for war began to break out. -
Congressional BIll Signed
Three days before Jefferson left office, he signed a c ongressional bill repealing the Embargo Act. This bill, the Nonintercource Act, allowed Americans to resume trade with all countries except Britain and France. -
Madison Was Ready for a New Approach
He signed a new measure that removed all restrictions on trade and offered something more to tempt Britain and France to agreeing to American terms. If either ocuntry agreed, the United States would cut off trade with the other country. -
Madison Convinced One Solution Left
Madison was convinced that war with Britain was the only solution. This was a result of having worsening relations with Britain. Many believed that the Untied States must go to war with or sumbit to Britain. -
Trouble in the Northwest
Settlers poured into Indiana, Michigan, and Illinois and forced Indians to cede land. The tribes were pushed further and further west, angering Indians, adding to the clamour of war. -
Force led to Prophetstwon
While an important Indain cheif, Tecumseh was away, Henery Harrison, led his forces to Prophetstwon. The force clashed with Tecumseh's warriors. It was a very bloody war, and there was no clear victory of either force. -
British Unyeilding on Neutral Rights
Madison recieved word that the British stand on neutral rights remained unyeilding. Seeing no other possible solution, Madison asked congress on June 1st to declare war. -
Britain's Change of Heart Came Too Late
Britain had a change of heart about the neutral rights with the United States. However, the change of heart came too late and two days later, Madison officially declared war, even though the United States was not prepared for war. -
American troops launched a three-pronged attack on Canada
The first attack started with General Hull marching to upper Canada, but turned back to Detroit because the British were too strong. The British followed and Hull surrendered. In the second and third attack, General Van Rensselaer and General Dearborn's militia both tried capturing Canadian villages but they refused to cross borders or rivers so their invasions failed. -
Britain blockaded the American coast
United States privateers captured several British ships and harrassed them, so the British fought back by blockading the American coast from Long Island to Georgia. This blockade stopped oversea trade and trade among the states. -
The United States finally was successful
Captain Oliver H. Perry was ordered to prepare for battle on Lake Erie so he had to build his own ships. Perry won a battle the British challenged them to with his makeshift navy; the US gained control of Lake Erie and forced British out of Detroit. General William Henry led his militia into Canada and caught the British in Thames River, which ended in an American victory and the death of the Indian's leader, Tecumseh. -
General Jackson led his troops against Creek Indians
General Jackson of the Tennessee militia led his troops against the Creek Indians. This battle was known as the Battle of Horseshoe Bend and was costly for both sides but Jackson was victorious. The Creek Indians gave the United States about 2/3 of their land. -
The British defeated Napoleon in Europe
The British could finally send experienced troops to America, so they began to do that. -
The attack of General Brown's army
An army under General Brown tried to invade Canada. They captured Fort Erie and smashed British troops at the Battle known as the Battle of Chippawa. A few weeks later the army battled the British at Lundy's Lane, but it ended in a draw and Americans went to Fort Erie. -
Veteran British troops began to arrive
British troops came along down Lake Champlain from Canada and waited for naval support in Canada. -
British attack government buildings
A second British force marched to Washington and put torches to the White House, Capital and other government buildings. All that was saved from the White House was a portrait of George Washington. The British then marched to take Baltimore but were stopped by American troops at Fort McHenry. -
Americans were beginning to lose hope
Americans were losing hope of winning because more British troops were on their way and the treasury was empty. Also, New England bankers refused to loan the government money to fund the war and Federalist governors would not allow their militia to fight outside of their own states. -
The Hartford Convention
Federalist delegates from Rhode Island, Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Vermont met in Hartford Connecticut where they discussed amendments to the Constitution that would give New England a stronger voice in government. The also wanted to give the states the right to resist if the national government was being unfair. -
Third British force attacks
The third British force went through the Gulf of Mexico to be able to attack New Orleans. General Andrew Jackson heard about this so he planned to defend New Orleans. He called for back up and got many pirates and fighters who would help. They built trenches and set up their naval guns. -
Treaty of Ghent
This treaty provided for the return of all territory and it restored prewar boundaries between the United States and Canada. It also set up a commission to settle the dispute of a boundary that both sides claim. The treaty completely ignored the issues that had caused the war. -
The Hartford Convention closes
The Hartford Convention closes, and the delegates had their proposals planned to be able to present to Washington. However, at the time they had planned to do this, the nation's attention was turned to New Orleans where a battle broke out. -
British troops attack Jefferson's forces
The British tried to attack, but since Jefferson's forces had built trenches, they were protected. The Americans waited until the British came closer and then unleashed fire on them. After only a half an hour, the British surrendered.
