History - Unit 2B

War of 1812: Course of the War

1.US forces attack Canada- America declared war on Britain. Britain effectively blockades New England. US forces have early success but are then repelled. 2. British troops invade US. Occupy much of the Northeast. Washington Sacked and Burned- The white house is white because of the burning of Washington 3. Battle of New Orleans- Massive British causality, American Win

Leopard-Chesapeake Affair

1807 - The American ship Chesapeake refused to allow the British on their warship Leopard to board to look for four crew members who they believed were British deserters. In response, the Leopard fired on the Chesapeake. Three were killed, 18 were wounded. As a result of the incident, the U.S. expelled all British ships from its waters until Britain issued an apology. Caused the end of the impressment of sailors on U.S. ships.

Proclamation of Neutrality by George Washington

A formal announcement issued by President George Washington on April 22, 1793, declaring the United States a neutral nation in the conflict between Great Britain and France. It threatened legal proceedings against any American providing assistance to any country at war.

War of 1812 - Causes

A war between the U.S. and Great Britain caused by American outrage over the impressment of American sailors by the British, the British seizure of American ships, and British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion on the western frontier. Also, a war against Britain gave the U.S. an excuse to seize the British northwest posts and to annex Florida from Britain's ally Spain, and possibly even to seize Canada from Britain. The War Hawks (young westerners led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun) argued for war in Congress.

Midnight Appointments

After 1800, the only branch left in the Federalists' hands was the Judiciary. Federalists feared "too much democracy" under Republicans. On John Adam's last night as president he created more Circuit Courts and made last minute appointments for Federalists to judgeships. He did so in an attempt to maintain Federalist control of judiciary branch. He appointed more Supreme Court Justices including John Marshall.

Whiskey tax of 1791

An excise tax that placed a seven cent per gallon tax on whiskey. Whiskey tax hurt the producers of whiskey. It placed an import tax on European goods designed to promote American manufacturers. It forced farmers to rely on more expensive and lower quality US products. Led to the Whiskey Rebellion.

XYZ Affair

An insult to the American delegation when they were supposed to be meeting French foreign minister, Talleyrand, but instead they were sent 3 officials whom President Adams called "X, Y, and Z" that demanded $250,000 as a bribe to see Talleyrand.

Citizen Genet

French diplomat who in 1793 tried to draw the United States into the war between France and England (1763-1834) in an attempt to restore Louis XVI, Genêt went behind Washington's back and asked Congress to reject neutrality, Commissioned U.S. privateers (pirates) to prey on British, shipping in the Caribbean and attack settlements in Spanish, Florida (all violations of U.S. neutrality). Washington demands Genet return to France before his actions draw the U.S. into war with Spain and Britain. It was the beginning of tensions with with France.

Whiskey Rebellion

In 1794, farmers in Pennsylvania rebelled against Hamilton's excise tax on whiskey, and several federal officers were killed in the riots caused by their attempts to serve arrest warrants on the offenders. In October, 1794, the army, led by Washington, put down the rebellion. The incident showed that the new government under the Constitution could react swiftly and effectively to such a problem, in contrast to the inability of the government under the Articles of Confederation to deal with Shay's Rebellion.

Battle of New Orleans

Jackson led a battle that occurred when British troops attacked U.S. soldiers in New Orleans on January 8, 1815; the War of 1812 had officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in December, 1814, but word had not yet reached the U.S. Due to the foolish frontal attack, Jackson defeated them, which gave him an enormous popularity boost.

Hartford Convention

Meeting of Federalists near the end of the War of 1812 in which the party listed its complaints against the ruling Republican Party. They proposed seven amendments to protect states' rights but nothing came of it. These actions were largely viewed as traitorous to the country and led to the Federalist party's collapse.

Jay's Treaty (1794)

Relations with England deteriorating: British had not abandoned western forts, British were interfering with U.S. shipping, British impressing American seamen. Negotiated by Chief Justice John Jay in an effort to avoid war with Britain, the treaty included a British promise to evacuate outposts on U.S. soil and pay damages for seized American vessels, in exchange for which Jay bound the United States to repay pre-Revolutionary war debts and to abide by Britain's restrictive trading policies toward France. The treaty was barely ratified in the face of strong Republican opposition. It was unpopular with most Americans because it did not punish Britain for the attacks on neutral American ships, the British promised to leave the forts but not for a year, and only if they were given unlimited access to the fur trade on American soil. The British did not compensate for American slaves taken by British at the end of the Revolutionary War. The British gave no guarantees against impressment and no protections for U.S shipping, It was particularly unpopular with France who became more angry because the U.S. also accepted the Britain's restrictive trading policies toward France.

War of 1812 - Results

The consequences of the War of 1812 was the end of the Federalist Party. It confirmed the status of the U.S was officially free and independent. The war strengthened American nationalism and encouraged the growth of industry. Though the war ended in a relative draw, it demonstrated America's willingness to defend its interests militarily, earning the young nation new found respect from European powers. A major result of this war was the end of all U.S. military hostility with Great Britain. Never again would Britain and the United States wage war over diplomacy, trade, territory, or any other kind of dispute. No clear winner, no territory changed hands, broke Native American strength, growth of US industry & increase in US patriotism.