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Impressment of Soldiers
Impressment of soldiers is when soldiers are kidnapped by enemy troops and forced to fight for those troops instead. The British impressed thousands of United States soldiers to fight in their wars against France. British impressionment of American soldiers was one of the leading reasons America declared war against Great Britain in 1812. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
After Great Britain and France declared war on each other, France sought out an allyship with America. Washington did not accept this allyship, however, because he knew that it would cause Great Britain to attack them as well. Instead, Washington established the Proclamation of Neutrality, declaring American neutrality in the dispute between Great Britain and France. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty was a treaty between Great Britain and America in which Great Britain agreed to withdraw from the Northwest Territory by June first, pay America back for its attacks on American shipping, give the United States trading rights in England, and end prejudicial treatment against American trade. The French viewed this as a violation of their commercial treaty with the United States, leading them to attack America in retaliation. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington's Farewell Address was a letter announcing the end of Washington's presidency. In the address, he warned future presidents and other officials against "foreign entanglement" and "partisanship" because they would tear the nation apart. He especially warned against partisanship based on foreign allyships/lack thereof because that would open the country up for "foreign influence and corruption." -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
When some members of the British Navy deserted their blockade ships, they joined the USS Chesapeake crew instead. The British HMS Leopard captain ordered a search of the USS Chesapeake, but the American captain refused. As a result, the British opened fire on the USS Chesapeake, forcing them to surrender. Four men were captured by the British in the fight, but only one of them was British. The other three men were American soldiers impressed into the British navy. -
Embargo Act of 1807
Established by Thomas Jefferson, the Embargo Act prohibited American trading in foreign ports. The intention was to penalize France and Great Britain for attacking American trade amidst their war and prevent a war between the United States and Great Britain. Unfortunately, the Embargo Act only devasted the American economy and hardly affected France and Britain. The Act was so hated among Americans that some political leaders discussed seceding from the Union. -
War Hawks
War Hawks were members of Congress who advocated for a war against Great Britain because they wanted to expand American territories to Canada and Florida. The War Hawks were mostly young congressmen from the South and the West. They believed that the British were encouraging hostile natives, which is one of the reasons they pressured President James Madison into the War of 1812. -
Tecumseh (1)
In 1811, Tecumseh's War began Tippecanoe, Indiana. As American and Native relations became more strained, the United States preemptively struck native territory led by Tecumseh. Tenskwatawa, Tecumseh's brother led ~500 Native men against US troops and, despite losing the Battle of Tippecanoe, suffered very few casualties due to their experience. -
Start of the War of 1812
On June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war against Great Britain due to several British offenses against America. Some of these offenses included impressionment of US soldiers, allyship with native tribes, and economically blockading France. The first step of the war was a three-point invasion of Canada, but this invasion attempt was unsuccessful. The War Hawks had hoped that a successful invasion of Canada would result in more land for America, but this didn't work out. -
Tecumseh (2)
During the War of 1812, Tecumseh allied with British forces in Michigan and helped defeat American troops at the Siege of Detroit. After the Siege of Detroit, he joined forces with Major-General Henry Proctor in his invasion of Ohio and fight against Harrison. After the British fled, Harrison followed them and killed Tecumseh on October 5, 1813. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a secret meeting between Federalist delegates from Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. The delegates were unhappy with President Madison's policies, the War of 1812, and the South's control of the government. Some of the delegates wanted Constitutional amendments that would benefit them, but other delegates wanted secession. They finally agreed on regulations against military conscription and commercialism. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, officially ended the War of 1812. The treaty declared that all conquered territory was to be returned and established commissions to determine the United States and Canadian border. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was fought between Great Britain and Andrew Jackson, slaves, militiamen, Native Americans, and other American troops. The battle resulted in serious casualties, despite the Treaty of Ghent being signed just a month prior. News of the treaty traveled so slowly that many British troops were unaware the war had ended, but Jackson's victory in this battle destroyed any possibility of a British invasion.