War of 1812

Intro
 So, when Madison was elected
in 1809
 US relations were getting tense
with GB
 Although tried to avoid, but
influenced by War Hawks &
entered in 1812
 Despite the Treaty of Amins
(1802) b/w FR & EN that
brought peace, both were at it
again
 EN blockaded the coasts of
Europe
 It became a nuisance for US
commerce & trade as Brit
started seizing goods
Causes
GB Blocked US Ships from
entering Europe
 As GB was at war with FR, it
wanted to cut off supplies
reaching its enemy
Impressment of American
seamen by the Brits
 Brit seamen deserted Brit navy
due to unfavorable conditions
 They came to US & obtained
citizenship, entered the US navy
 But GB did not recognize this &
forced them to return
 Several thousand were captured
& forced
 US prestige & honor of
nationalization hurt
Brits Helped Native American
Resistance
 US wanted Manifest Destiny
 But UK infringed by helping
Natives
Manifest Destiny
 The perception of it was a cause
of 1812
Domestic Politics
 Anti: pro-FR: supported war
 Fed: pro-US: not supported
American Diplomatic Failure
 A team of diplomats went to EN
to sort out a treaty
 Re issues like seizure of ships
and impressment
 But failed to devise a win-win
situation, as most concessions
 went to GB
Use of Coercive Methods
 Once diplomacy failed, US
enforced a Non-Importation
Act
 As per this, no Brit goods would
be allowed to enter US
Chesapeake Incident
 As per law, EN was only
allowed to search merchant
ships, not man-of-war
 Chesapeake was a war frigate,
but still searched by EN,
 Upon refusal, EN opened fire &
impressed 3 seamen
 Hurt American sentiments,
 Demands for War!
War Hawks’ Influence
  The new congress with
Madison had hawks that
wanted war with England
 To punish EN & expand to the
West
 War declared in 1812
 War ended with the Treaty of
Ghent in 1814

Impacts

Political
 Loss of Brit monopoly over the
sea
 US confident that it could be a
naval superpower
Economic
Costly War
 US spent $100mn
Growth in Manufacturing
 War interrupted trade &
Americans had to make their
own goods
Social
Loss of Lives
 Loss of 30,000 US lives
Upsurge in American
Nationalism
 After victory in Battle of New
Orleans
US Confidence Boost
 It can protect itself against a
mighty
International Respect
 A formidable power