War of 1812
You decide: Was the War of 1812 justifiable or fought because of powerful and greedy people in high places?
The War of 1812 is sometimes called the “Second War of Independence” or the “forgotten war.” The British were already at war with France and seized American ships (called impressment). They forced the American sailors to work on British ships and prevented American ships from reaching France-important for trade. Therefore the United States had little choice except to fight for Independence.
The War of 1812 could be called the “war of poor communication.” Two days before the declaration of war, Great Britain agreed to repeal the naval laws which were chiefly responsible for the conflict. Speedy communication would have also eliminated the greatest battle, the Battle of New Orleans that occurred 15 days after a peace treaty had been signed.
I. Introduction
A. When fought?
B. Between who?
C. What was the major risk?
D. How did it cause a division in the U.S.?
E. It was actually a fight over what?
II. Events leading up to the war.
A. Napoleon’s law in 1806-
B. British law of 1807-
C. British navy treatment of their own sailors-(Impressment)-
D. Chesapeake vs. Leopard-
E. President Jefferson’s embargo-
F. 1808 James Madison elected president-War Hawks vs. Doves-“Mr.
Madison’s War”
G. Farmers in the Northwest Territory
H. Farmers in the South
I. Tecumseh, The Prophet, and showdown at Tippecanoe-
J. Henry Clay
III. Major Battles
A. USS Constitution vs. Guerriere-
B. Battle of York-
C. British burn Washington-
D. Battle of New Orleans-
E. Star Spangled Banner-
IV. The End
A.
Treaty
of Ghent-(Ghent, Belgium)-Ended the War in 1814 but because of poor
communication the Battle of New Orleans was fought in the spring of 1815.
John Quincy Adams summed up treaty as “Nothing was
Adjusted, nothing was settled. Britain
and the U.S. agreed to restore prewar conditions.
Looking back some Americans felt the war as a mistake while others felt it made “Americans feel and act more American and as a nation.”