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Impressment of sailors
The British navy were going on American ships and forcing the sailors to join the British navy. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington stated that the United States would not become involved in another war. At this time Great Britain and France were at war with one another and France wanted the United States to join in and side with them. The United States was obligated to France because of the Franco-American Treaty Alliance but George Washington said no. -
Jay Treaty
John Jay went to London to negotiate a settlement with the British. Britain agreed to evacuate its forts on American soil and cease harassing American shipping as long as the ships didn’t carry supplies to Britain’s enemies. They agreed to pay damages for the ships it had seized and to permit the United States to trade with India and carry on restricted trade with the British West Indies. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington warned the people against the growth of political parties. He thought that they were a threat to the health of the nation. He also called on the country to avoid “permanent alliances with any portion of the foreign world.”He felt foreign nations could not be trusted to do anything other than purse their own interests. He called for extending foreign commercial relations that could be mutually beneficial while maintaining as little political connection as possible. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The American frigate Chesapeake was stopped by the British ship Leopard, whose commander demanded the surrender of four seamen alleged to have deserted from the British ships Melampus and Halifax.When the American commander refused to give up the men and the Leopard opened fire. The American vessel was unprepared for battle. The commander surrendered his vessel after sustaining heavy casualties and damage. The sailors were removed by forced and impressed into the British navy. -
Embargo Act of 1807
Jefferson created the embargo because he believed it would convince Britain and France to respect America’s neutral rights. But the embargo caused for trade to decline and Americans to lose money. Exports fell from $108 million to $22 million in 1808. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a chief who transformed his brothers religious following into a political movement. This was supposed to unite India tribes as a way to resist white settlement.In 1811 he was in the south on a recruiting mission. William Harrison had a force of 1,000 in prophetstown and Tecumseh launched a sneak attack on his camp. Tecumseh’s confederation was defeated by the Americans in the Battle of Tippecanoe -
War Hawks
War Hawks were young southerners and Westerners elected to the U.S. Congress in 1810, whose territorial ambitions in the Northwest and Florida inspired them to agitate for war with Great Britain. They were angry over British encouragement of Indian hostilities towards settlers in the Northwest and hoped to use war with England to get Florida from Spain. -
War of 1812 Begins
The war of 1812 was fought between the United States and France.The causes for the war were Great Britain's seizure of American ships and impressment of sailors, Great Britain arming Native Americans and encouraging them to riot, War Hawks encouraging war with Great Britain, and the United States wanting to take land from Great Britain and Spain. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh joined the British to defeat the Americans. When William Harrison invaded Upper Canada, Tecumseh joined the British. He was killed by American forces at the Battle of the Thames. -
Hartford Convention
Delegates from New England gathered in Hartford, Connecticut, where they recommended a series of constitutional amendments to restrict the power of Congress to wage war, regulate commerce and admit new states. The delegates also supported a one-term president and abolition of the Three-fifths clause in the Constitution, and talked of seceding if they did not get their way. -
Treaty of Ghent
The American victory on Lake Champlain led to the conclusion of U.S.- British peace negotiations in Belgium. On December 24, 1814 the Treaty of Ghent was signed. -
Battle of New Orleans
The news was slow of the signing of the Treaty of Ghent and no one knew the war was over. January 8, 1815 the British and Americans fought in the Battle of New Orleans. The Americans were led by Andrew Jackson. The Americans won the battle and there were 2,000 casualties on the British side. The victory inspired nationalism and Andrew Jackson became a hero.
