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Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
During this presidency, George Washington issued a proclamation of neutrality which was a policy for the U.S while war was spreading in Europe. The proclamation stated that they were required to keep peace, friendly conduct and impartiality towards both Britain and France. Any citizen who violated the policy would be prosecuted. However, the policy did not prevent conflicts with either Great Britain or France. -
Jay Treaty
With tensions still brewing between Great Britain and the U.S. after the Revolutionary War, the Jay treaty was signed in order to keep peace between both nations. Prior to the treaty, Britain was restricting American exports by placing high tariffs, they were occupying colonial forts in North America and were seizing ships and impressing American Sailors. Although the treaty was viewed with unpopularity, and didn't solve major conflicts, it helped prevent war with Britain. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In 1792, George Washington planned to finish his time as President and instructed James Madison to draft his Farewell Address. However, he was convinced otherwise and went on to serve another term. Once this term finished up, he officially retired and asked Hamilton to write his Farewell Address using pieces from Madison's previous draft in order to void conflict. In his address he warned against the influence of political parties and having heavy emotions/ties towards foreign nations. -
Impressment of Soldiers (1793-1812)
British ships would intercept and seize American ships and would capture American sailors for the reasons of impressment. This was a military draft that required people to join the British Armed Forces. However, to Americans this was more like kidnapping. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
This incident occurred when the British HMS Leopard pursued USS Chesapeake off the coast of Virginia in efforts of looking for deserters (member of an armed forces who flees). When USS Chesapeake Commodore James Barron refused for them to search the ship, the British fired upon the ship killing three and injuring 18 others. This resulted in a handful of suspected deserters being handed over where only one turned out to be British. This infuriated the American citizens. -
Embargo Act
President Jefferson passed the Embargo Act in efforts to get Britain and France to respect the U.S. neutrality with both nations. British and French forces were seizing ships and British was even impressing American sailors. The U.S. would not trade with either country hoping they would realize they needed them to trade and would realize they needed to respect their terms of neutrality. However this backfired on the American economy, affecting every area of trade/jobs. -
Tecumseh 1811
In early 1811, Shawnee leader Tecumseh wanted peace with the U.S and wished for the current boundaries to continue. He also began to construct a Native American Confederacy. Even as he proposed peace, there were spies who warned that they were preparing for war. Conflicts that arose eventually sparked the battle of Tippecanoe where the Natives were defeated and the capital of the Indian Confederacy, the Prophetstown, was burned down. This strengthened Tecumseh's with the British. -
War Hawks
A group of Republican Congressmen who wanted war to be declared against Britain. These Congressmen were usually younger Congressmen from the southern and western states. As a result of the embarrassment and negative effects from the Napoleonic Wars, conflicts still occurring from the Revolution, and the lack of respect from Britain. -
War of 1812 Begins
President James Madison signed a deceleration of war against Great Britain. This marked the beginning of the war and this came as a result of various things such as the seizures of American ships and impressement of American sailors. -
Tecumseh (2)
Tecumseh saw the war of 1812 as an opportunity to ally himself with the British against the Americans in order for his Native American Confederacy to prosper and finally have a chance to withstand the Americans. He was placed in charge of the Native forces. At the Battle of the Thames River, the British and Tecumseh's army were outnumbered by General Harrison's army which led to the defeat of the British and death of Tecumseh. This brought an end to the Native American Confederacy. -
Hartford Convention
There were 26 delegates overall that came from the states of New England, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, Vermont & New Hampshire. They met in secret and discussed problems occurring within their states, and there were even mentions of succession. There was a creation of a list of grievances in order to provide detail for the problems occurring and recommended the solution be to amend to Constitution rather than scrap it overall. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent brought an end to the War of 1812 and helped restore relations between Great Britain and the United States to how they were prior to the war. Any and all land, people (prisoners), and military resources such as ships were restored. Although a treaty had been signed between nations, fighting continued as word of the treaty spread slowly. -
Battle of New Orleans
After an attack in Washington, the British planned an attack at New Orleans. Major General Andrew Jackson was informed of the possible invasion and made his way down there. He assembled an army that brought a victory for the U.S. and many casualties for the British. This battle occurred after the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed but battle continued as word spread slowly. This would also be the last "major" engagement between the countries.