-
Impressment of Sailors
From 1793 to 1812, American ships were seized and sailors were imprisoned by the British. This was one of the main causes of the War of 1812 becuase the British imprisoned more than 15,000 sailors. This was so they could place them in their fleet to fight in the Napoleonic wars against France. However, by 1812 America had enough. -
Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington’s Proclamation of Neutrality was where George Washington declared the United States neutral in the conflict between Great Britain and France. It also stated that the government would prosecute any person that did not obey this policy. However, those who saw this policy announcement as a surrender of the country's revolutionary spirit for the merchant class's financial benefit reacted angrily. -
Jay Treaty
The Jay Treaty was a treaty that lessened tensions between the United States and Great Britain. It built a foundation for a solid national economy in America and ensured its commercial prosperity. In this treaty, Britain agreed to leave from the Northwestern territory. It was becuase they wanted to compensate for its intrusions on American trade. However, France took this treaty as a violation of its own commercial treaty in 1778 with the US. -
Washington’s Farewell Address
George Washington wanted to set the standard for the two term limit a president to have and he stepped down from power with a farewell address to everyone. In this address, Washington explained why he did not seek for a third term, that he wanted to retire earlier but did not due to the foreign circumstances, he offered his final promise to the people as president, and cautioned against three dangers that could destroy the Union. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The USS Chesapeake set sail and headed toward the Mediterranean from Norfolk. The ship's deck was full of cargo and unprotected weapons. Seeing how vulnerable it was, the British sought them out and then questioned the commander to look for any deserters on the ship. However when James Borron refused to give up any of his crew, the captain of the British ship open fired and ended up killing three Americans and wounding eighteen. They also stole all of their items on their boat. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was where Thomas Jefferson thought that eliminating all trade with France and Britain would prevent war. It prevented it at the moment but it severely hurt the American economy and trade especially the average and poor Americans. It hurt them becuase they it made industry and business to come to a standstill preventing income for them. -
Tecumseh 1
Tecumseh is a Shawnee leader and wanted to keep his and other tribe's land in the west. However, American's kept going with westward expansion and he had enough. So, he built a confederation among many different tribes. Tecumseh met Governor Harrison to negotiate with him about this. However, they both left unresolved. Harrison then reported that Tecumseh's confederation were moving south to recruit more people and that they were preparing for war. So, Harrison demanded we had more troops. -
War Hawks
War Hawks were mainly youthful politicians from the West and South. This small group of Jeffersonian Republicans, led by the newly elected Speaker of the House Henry Clay, pushed for a military conflict to settle American concerns. John C. Calhoun was one of five War Hawks on the Foreign Relations Committee, and they also presided over the Naval, Ways and Means, and Military Affairs Committees. They also more sought after the British instead of French. -
War of 1812 Begins
The War of 1812 started on June 18, 1812, when President James Madison officially declared war on Great Britain. The United States joined the war with grand aspirations to capture Canada because of Britain's maritime policies and its encouragement of Native American resistance to western development. -
Tecumseh 2
Throughout the War of 1812, Tecumseh commanded his followers in numerous fights against the United States while also assisting the British. However, some British soldiers did not wish to fight with them becuase they only got half their food rations. Tecumseh did not want to fight alongside them because of this, which affected their confidence as a whole. He was angered by this, but they were unable to stop it. Harrison triumphed against Tecumseh and his confederation at the Battle of the Thames. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a three-week discussion on the relationship between the then-18 states and the federal government. Members of the Federalist Party from New England had organized the gathering. There were legitimate political worries that the Union was mistreating New England. The Hartford Convention did not cause New England to secede. However, it was a significant factor in the collapse of the Federalists becuase new states that were forming were democratic-republican. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed, following a gathering of American representatives and British commissioners in Belgium. Both nations vowed to cooperate to put an end to the slave trade, while Great Britain agreed to give up its claims to the Northwest Territory. Despite without naming a clear winner, the Treaty of Ghent put an end to the War of 1812. -
Battle of New Orleans
At New Orleans, the United States won their greatest land victory of the War of 1812. It was fought becuase the British attempted to seize control of an important American port but was halted by the conflict. This battle also brought attention to Major General Andrew Jackson who became president about 14 years later.