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Impressment of sailors
The British Navy was impressing American sailors to join British Navy for the war effort. This was a great problem for the U.S. their ships were being seized by the British, their sailors taken, an their trade being stopped. This was both hurting the economy and the America's navy. This was the final straw that broke the camel's back. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington repealed the 1778 Treaty of Alliance with France that had made American independence possibly by proclaiming the United States to be neutral in the affairs of the hostile European powers. This angered France and those who supported France's Revolution. This incited riots and petitions to aid France as well as political and economical strain between the U.S. and France. -
Jay Treaty
It was an agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain that secured British withdrawal from western forts in the Americas. Although it still allowed the British to continue the fur trade with the Indians in the Northwest. The treaty also required London to pay for damages for American ships and cargoes that were seized in 1793 and 1794, but made no agreement on future seizures by the British. It failed to solve British impressment on American sailors, which heightened tensions with Britain. -
Washington's Farewell Address
This was a speech given by Washington to announce that he would not be running for a third term and to give his views on foreign/domestic affairs. This speech given by Washington introduced the way America would handle their domestic/foreign affairs for the next coming years. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was a naval engagement between HMS Leopard and the American frigate Chesapeake. The Leopard, looking for deserters of the Royal Navy, attacked and boarded the Chesapeake. This caused the commander of the Chesapeake, James Barron, to surrender. This caused an uproar among Americans, to declare war on Great Britain. Which increased already heightened tensions between the two. Thomas Jefferson failed to diplomatically threaten Britain which caused the Embargo Act. -
Embargo Act of 1807
In 1807 Congress passed the Embargo Act which forbid any foreign commerce. This was their response to the pressuring from both England and France to take a side in the war. Economically it destroyed the nations with many business and industries stalling all production and with many poor people losing their jobs. In no real way did this affect the European countries, it really only hurt the U.S. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Shawnee War Chief who had organized a Native America Confederacy in the hopes of creating a completely Indian state and stop white settlement in Northwest Territory. This was the first time multiple different native tribes had come together as one to fight against the American government. This was the start of many battles between the Natives and their British allies and America. -
War Hawks
The War Hawks were members of Congress who pressured Madison to declare war on Great Britain. Their main goal was to gain Canada and Florida as property/territory of the U.S. despite the resistance from the natives. The war hawks pushed the call for war until the day war was declared. -
War of 1812 Begins
President Madison gave a detailed report to Congress showing thousands of instances were British had impressed American citizens. In addition, western settlers had been attacked by native American tribes who were believed to be enticed by British agents in Canada. Americans wanted to rid Canada of British influence, as well as get restitution for the impressment and commercial repression. Then on June 18, the United Sates declared war on Great Britain. -
Treaty of Ghent
This was the treaty between Great Britain and the U.S. which called for cessation of all hostilities, the restoration of conquests, and commission to settle boundary disputes. This marked the official war of 1812 with except to the Battle of New Orleans. -
Tecumseh (Battle of Thames)
British and Native allies during the morning of October 5 were attacked by American soldiers led by General Harrison. The British soldiers ,who were demoralized from the shortage of rations, quickly put up a defensive line that failed to stand against American forces. The British then fled, leaving their Native American allies to be massacred by the Americans. The rebel Native tribes after hearing of Tecumseh's death, quickly dissolved British alliances. This rid the Indians of British control. -
Hartford Convention
The Federalist delegates selected by the legislatures of Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, and New Hampshire gathered to expression their opposition to President Madison's mercantile policies and the War of 1812. In this meeting the federalist had proposed a list of constitutional amendments that would protect New England's interests for trade. The war did not end in the federalist's favor, and with the win at New Orleans the federalists were stamped with a stigma of disloyalty. -
Battle of New Orleans
On January 8, 1815 British troops were marching to New Orleans hoping to separate Louisiana from the U.S. However the American were warned of the attack and had militiamen under General Andrew Jackson stationed at the Rodriquez Canal. The British were completely unable to penetrate U.S. defense and were decimated by the U.S. troops. This was the lase armed battle between the U.S. and Great Britain.