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Impressment (Picture)
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Impressment
From 1773-1812, the impressment of American sailors and other foreign fleets was a tool commonly used to counteract manpower shortages. Impressment was the practice of forcibly recruiting sailors aboard American ships alongside men who fled service back home in Great Britain. The American government saw impressment as a violation of its sovereignty and the rights of its citizens, and it was one of the grievances that contributed to the decision to go to war against Britain. -
Washingtons proclamation of Neutrality
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality, issued on April 22, 1793, declared the United States' decision to remain neutral in the conflict between revolutionary France and Great Britain. The proclamation emphasized impartiality, disagreed with involvement in the conflict, and established alliances weren't to be made unless crucial national interests were at stake. This outlined American foreign policy and showcased the nation's efforts to establish itself as an independent nation. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty primarily acted as an effort to rebuild relations with Great Britain after several quarrels relating to American trade and its hindered operations by the British Navy. Simultaneously, the treaty outlined the ability for Native Americans, American citizens, and Canadian citizens to travel through each country for commercial and trading purposes. This however, was controversial due to the fact that the areas primarily traveled through were designated as British territory. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In his Farewell Address of 1796, President George Washington emphasized the importance of national unity, warned against the dangers of political factions, and cautioned against foreign entanglements. His address advised the United States to maintain its neutrality in global conflicts and to focus on domestic development. This address was an influential aspect in war of 1812 due to its relationship to neutrality and the severance of alliances between nations. -
Embargo Acts of 1807
The Embargo Acts of 1807 were a series of laws passed by the United States in an attempt to protect American interests during a time of tensions with Britain and France. These acts aimed to prevent American ships from engaging in foreign trade, in attempt to avoid being involved in conflicts and to pressure Britain and France to respect American neutrality, trade, and commerce. This proved to be futile as illegal trade was promptly instituted by merchants and the acts were quickly repealed. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair heightened anti-British feelings in the United States by showing British aggression and disregard for American sovereignty. This incident, where the British warship HMS Leopard attacked the USS Chesapeake, fueled calls for action against British actions. While not the sole cause, the affair played a role in escalating tensions that eventually led to the War of 1812, as Americans sought to address these grievances and assert their national rights. -
War Hawks
Led by figures like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, the War Hawks pushed for a more aggressive foreign policy, advocating for the annexation of Canada and the protection of American shipping rights. They believed that war with Britain would defend American sovereignty, open new territories for expansion, and safeguard maritime trade. The War Hawks greatly influenced the progression of tensions between Europe and the war of 1812. It deepened the turmoil of American citizens and hindered trade. -
Tecumseh (1)
Tecumseh, a chieftain of the Shawnee tribe, led the movement towards gaining territorial freedom for Native Americans. In 1811 Tensions rose drastically between American settlers and Tecumseh’s Confederacy so in an effort to intimidate the confederation, William Henry Harrison led a troop of American soldiers towards Prophetstown. On November 7th 1811, Native warriors launched an attack on American troops and the battle that followed was, in effect, the first engagement of war the of 1812. -
Beginning of the War of 1812
The War of 1812 was initiated on June 18, 1812, when the United States formally declared war against Great Britain. The escalation of tensions resulted from British practices such as impressment of American sailors, trade limitations imposed by the British, and disputes over territorial expansion. These accumulating issues, compounded by the American desire to safeguard national sovereignty and honor, converged to prompt the decision to engage in military conflict. -
Tecumseh (2)
With the of Tecumseh was a significant event with extensive consequences, particularly Native American resistance, the War of 1812, and the broader history of the United States and its relationship with the Indigenous. His death at the Battle of the Thames in 1813 was a turning point in the conflict. It greatly weakened the Native American-British alliance and the decline of Native American military resistance in the war soon followed. After his death, remaining tribes lost a unifying figure. -
Hartford Convention
Between December 15, 1814, and January 5, 1815, the Hartford Convention took place through multiple meetings. Delegates from the New England states gathered in Hartford, Connecticut, due to concerns of the perceived negative repercussions stemming from the War of 1812. This convention mainly focused on New England. With intricate effects on American society and tensions with Native American tribes, the war's resolution influenced negotiations and deliberations during the Hartford Convention. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, in Ghent, Belgium, ending the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. The returned both nations to the conditions before the war. It didn't address many of the grievances that had led to the conflict, such as impressment and trade issues, but it stopped hostilities and established a framework for resolving future disputes. The treaty ended the war without any significant damage being dealt, and very little territorial changes. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans took place on January 8, 1815, during the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. It was a significant American victory led by General Andrew Jackson. Despite occurring after the Treaty of Ghent had ended the war, the battle boosted American morale and showcased the military prowess of American forces. The Battle of New Orleans was marked as the last battle of the extensive war of 1812, and for the most part, ended conflict with Great Britain.