Introduction ONE: Trace the events that led up to the War of 1812 and be very specific in describing those events. Chapter 7 begins with background review of how (in the late 18th century) the young nation began to be concerned with education. Medicine, too, was beginning to actually define diseases and help heal people, and Americans were inventing technologies (like the cotton gin by Eli Whitney) including Whitney's machine "…to make each part of a gun according to an exact pattern" (192). In fact the development of Whitney's system of making weapons was important due to the fact that the U.S. was preparing for war with France; "Americans were deeply troubled by their lack of sufficient armaments for the expected hostilities" (192). In 1789 Congress passed laws that gave preference to American ships in U.S. ports; moreover, between 1789 and 1810, the U.S. had "more ships and international commerce" than any other nation in the world (193). But according to Chapter 7, when Napoleon became "emperor" of France he set his sights on gaining power in the New World (specifically the lands that were west of the Mississippi).
Trace the events that led up to the War of 1812 and be very specific in describing those events.
Chapter 7 begins with background review of how (in the late 18th century) the young nation began to be concerned with education. Medicine, too, was beginning to actually define diseases and help heal people, and Americans were inventing technologies (like the cotton gin by Eli Whitney) including Whitney's machine "…to make each part of a gun according to an exact pattern" (192). In fact the development of Whitney's system of making weapons was important due to the fact that the U.S. was preparing for war with France; "Americans were deeply troubled by their lack of sufficient armaments for the expected hostilities" (192).
In 1789 Congress passed laws that gave preference to American ships in U.S. ports; moreover, between 1789 and 1810, the U.S. had "more ships and international commerce" than any other nation in the world (193). But according to Chapter 7, when Napoleon became "emperor" of France he set his sights on gaining power in the New World (specifically the lands that were west of the Mississippi).
A secret deal between Napoleon and the Spanish (Treaty of San Ildefonso of 1800) gave Napoleon Louisiana and New Orleans, but Jefferson wasn't aware there was trouble associated with that deal until the U.S. was not allowed to transfer cargoes from domestic ships to ocean-going vessels in New Orleans (201-02). To solve that tense dilemma, Jefferson offered to buy the Louisiana territory and because he didn't have the means to take power in America at that time, Napoleon agreed to the purchase.
What were the events that directly led to war with Europe? For one, the Napoleonic Wars were taking place in Europe and both England and France attempted to block the U.S. from aiding the other through trade (205). For another, as the U.S. moved westward in its expansion, wars with Native American tribes ensued; several tribes united with "British forces in Canada and Spanish forces in Florida" to attack American forces and these tensions "…helped cause the War of 1812, an unpopular conflict with ambiguous results" (205). On the high seas, the British infuriated America by seizing U.S. vessels and taking alleged deserters from the British Navy off American ships. The Chesapeake-Leopard incident (the British Navy boarded the U.S. Frigate Chesapeake and seized four "alleged deserters" from the British Navy) contributed to the growing tensions between the U.S. And England. Meanwhile Jefferson angered Native Americans by issuing an ultimatum: become assimilated into the culture of European farmers or move west of the Mississippi (207).
TWO: What was the real reason the U.S. went to war with England when France was being provocative as well? Native Americans were angered when William Henry Harrison (Jefferson's envoy to the Indians) used "threats, bribes, trickery" and other unethical practices to take away property rights in Michigan, Illinois and Indiana (208). Meanwhile the British expected the U.S. To invade Canada (so they made preparations for war) and multiple Native American tribes rallied around charismatic Indian leaders Tenskwatawa and Tecumseh, who urged their peoples to resist American orders to abandon their traditional lands. Battles broke out between Indians and American troops and the when the British began helping the Indians battle U.S. troops, a percentage of American leaders decided an attack on Canada to pay back the British would be appropriate (210).
Another dynamic that led to war with Britain was the fact that American settlers agitated for control over Florida (which was controlled by Spain); Spain and England were allies, and going to war with England "…might provide a pretext for taking Spanish territory" (210).
The House of Representative elections of 1812 were pivotal to the launching of war with England as voters "…elected a large number of representatives of both parties eager for war with Britain" (210). Among those war-mongering elected officials were Henry Clay (Kentucky) and John C. Calhoun (South Carolina). Clay, as Speaker, appointed members he knew to be eager for war -- in particular, war to seize Canada from England -- to the Committee on Foreign Affairs (211). On June 18, President Madison "…gave in to the pressure" from the House and approved a declaration of war against Britain (211). Madison was very concerned about the threats to American vessels engaged in trade with Europe, and since Britain was hostile to the idea of Americans trading with France -- and of Americans gaining power on the high seas -- Madison reluctantly agreed to go to war.
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