Lesson 5: Madison and the War of 1812 Flashcards
Andrew Jackson Definition
the seventh President of the United States from 1829 to 1837. He was a military hero during the War of 1812 and the Seminole Wars. He supported full democratic rights for all white men, Indian removal, and a limited federal government.
Battle of Lake Erie Definition
in the War of 1812, a U.S. victory over the British, under the leadership of Oliver Perry
Battle of New Orleans Definition
at the end of the War of 1812, a battle between British and U.S. forces, led by Andrew Jackson, that ended in a victory for the United States
Battle of Tippecanoe Definition
in 1811, a battle over white settlement in the Indiana Territory
Confederation Definition
an alliance of independent states or nations, usually with a shared military command
Hartford Convention Definition
a gathering of New Englanders to protest the War of 1812 at which some threatened to secede from the Union
Henry Clay Definition
a leading member of the House of Representatives for Kentucky under Presidents Madison and Monroe who spoke for the interests of the West, and who later served as a U.S. senator and Secretary of State
Nationalism Definition
a feeling of excessive pride in one’s nation
Treaty of Ghent definition
a peace treaty signed by Britain and the United States in 1814 to end the War of 1812
Treaty of Greenville Definition
the treaty signed by some Native Americans in 1795, giving up land that would later become part of Ohio
War Hawks Definition
the members of Congress from the South and the West who called for war with Britain prior to the War of 1812
What was the conflict in Ohio? What did the treaty of Greenville state?
Fighting often broke out between these Native American groups and the settlers. Isolated acts of violence led to larger acts of revenge. As both sides killed innocent people, warfare spread. In Ohio, Little Turtle of the Miamis and Blue Jacket of the Shawnees organized a resistance movement in 1791. Armed with British muskets and gunpowder, the Miamis and Shawnees drove white settlers from the area. President Washington had sent General Anthony Wayne into Ohio in 1794. Forces from the Delaware, Miami, Iroqouis, Wabash, and others gathered at a place called Fallen Timbers. They thought that Wayne would have trouble fighting there because fallen trees covered the land. But Wayne’s well-trained army pushed through the tangle of logs and defeated the Indians. In 1795, leaders of the Miamis and other Native American nations signed the Treaty of Greenville. They gave up land that would later become part of Ohio. In return, they received $20,000 and the promise of more money if they kept the peace.
Who were the leaders of the Confederation that formed between the Indians after Ohio joined the Union? Which tribes were neutral? which tribes allied with the U.S.A.?
Ohio joined the Union in 1803. By then, white settlers were pushing beyond Ohio into the Indiana Territory. Angry Shawnee, Kickapoo, and Ottawa vowed to keep settlers from taking more Indian land. They included two Shawnee leaders: Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa (ten SKWAH tuh wuh), a religious leader also called the Prophet. The Kickapoo, Ottawa, Chippewa, and Piankashaw joined with the Shawnee leaders. The Miami initially remained neutral. The Wyandot, Seneca, and Delaware stayed allied with the United States. So did the Chocktaw, Cherokee, Chickasaw, and some sections of the Creek. The U.S. government had treaties with several of these Native American groups that said both sides would cease fighting. The treaties kept these groups from rallying together against the United States.
What did the Prophet and Tecumseh teach to strengthen the power of Native Americans to resist white invaders? What village did the Prophet build along the Tippecanoe Creek? Why were white leaders impressed by Tecumseh’s work?
The Prophet and Tecumseh taught that white customs corrupted the Indian way of life. They said that many Indians depended too much on white trade goods, such as muskets, cloth, cooking pots, and whiskey. They believed that by returning to their old ways, Native Americans could gain the power to resist the white invaders. In 1808, the Prophet built a village for his followers along Tippecanoe Creek in Indiana Territory. Indians from lands as far away as Missouri, Iowa, and Minnesota traveled to Prophetstown to hear his message. Tecumseh worked to organize the tribes of the Northwest into a confederation, or alliance with a shared military command. He called for unity against settlers:
The whites have driven us from the great salt water, forced us over the mountains. … The way, the only way, to check and stop this evil is for all red men to unite in claiming a common equal right in the land.
—Tecumseh, quoted in Tecumseh: Vision of Glory (Tucker)
Tecumseh impressed white leaders. Governor William Henry Harrison grudgingly admitted, “He is one of those uncommon geniuses which spring up occasionally to produce revolutions and overturn the established order of things.”
What happened in the Battle of Tippecanoe?
Rivalries among Native American nations kept Tecumseh from uniting all Indians east of the Mississippi River. Still, white settlers were alarmed at his success. In 1811, Harrison marched 1,000 soldiers against Prophetstown on the Tippecanoe Creek. The Prophet was in charge because Tecumseh was away trying to organize Indians in the South. The Prophet led a surprise night attack on Harrison’s troops. Both sides suffered heavy losses in the Battle of Tippecanoe. In the end, Harrison’s troops defeated the Prophet’s forces and destroyed Prophetstown. Whites celebrated the battle as a major victory. Still, Tecumseh and his followers continued to resist white settlement.
How did the British support of Native Americans influence the War of 1812?
Fighting with Native Americans hurt relations between the United States and Britain. The British were supplying guns and ammunition to the Native Americans on the frontier. They also encouraged Indians to attack United States settlements.
How did the offer of opening trade to France or Britain, if they respected American neutrality, influence the War of 1812?
Meanwhile, the ban on trade with Britain and France expired. Congress then authorized President Madison to make a tantalizing offer. If either the British or French stopped seizing American ships, the United States would reopen trade with that nation. Napoleon quickly announced that France would respect American neutrality. Britain did not respond to the offer. As promised, the United States resumed trade with France, but continued to ban all shipments to or from Britain.
Which groups, along with Madison, did not want war with Britain? Which group wanted war with Britain? Who was the leader of this group? How did nationalism influence their opinions?
While Madison did not want war, other Americans were not as cautious. In New England, antiwar feelings ran strong. However, members of Congress from the South and the West called for war. They were known as War Hawks. War Hawks were stirred by a strong sense of nationalism, or devotion to one’s country. War Hawks felt that Britain was treating the United States as if it were still a British colony. They were willing to fight a war to defend American rights. The most outspoken War Hawk was Henry Clay of Kentucky. Clay wanted to punish Britain for seizing American ships. He also hoped to conquer Canada. “The militia of Kentucky are alone [able] to place Montreal and Upper Canada at your feet,” Clay boasted to Congress. War Hawks saw other advantages of war with Britain. If Americans went to war with Britain, War Hawks said, the United States could seize Florida from Britain’s ally, Spain. They also pointed out that Britain was arming Native Americans on the frontier and encouraging them to attack settlers. The War Hawks felt that winning a war against Britain would bring lasting safety to settlers on the frontier.
When was the War of 1812 declared? What events led to this declaration, at the conflict’s peak?
The United States and Britain drifted closer to war as the security of American ships remained an issue. The British continued to board American ships and impress American seamen. To cut off American trade with France, British warships blockaded some American ports. In May 1811, near New York Harbor, a brief battle broke out between an American frigate and a British warship. The Americans crippled the British ship and left 32 British sailors dead or wounded. The War Hawks urged Congress to prepare for war. Others in Congress disagreed. John Randolph of Virginia warned that the people of the United States would “not submit to be taxed for this war of conquest and dominion.” Representatives of New England were especially concerned. They feared that the British navy would attack New England seaports. At last, President Madison gave in to war fever. In June 1812, he asked Congress to declare war on Britain. The House and Senate both voted in favor of war. Americans would soon learn, though, that declaring war was easier than winning.
Why was Britain surprised when America declared war?
The American declaration of war took the British by surprise. They were locked in a bitter struggle with Napoleon and could not spare troops to fight the United States. As the war began, however, the United States faced difficulties of its own.
What were the American difficulties of building an army?
The United States was not ready for war. Because Jefferson had reduced spending on defense, the navy had only 16 ships to meet the huge British fleet. The army was small and ill equipped, and many of the officers knew little about warfare. “The state of the army,” said a member of Congress, “is enough to make any man who has the smallest love of country wish to get rid of it.” These problems made it difficult to maintain national security. Since there were few regular troops, the government relied on volunteers. Congress voted to give them a bounty of cash and land. The money was equal to about a year’s salary for most workers. Attracted by the high pay and the chance to own their own farms, young men eagerly enlisted. They were poorly trained, however, with little experience in battle. Many deserted after a few months.
What was Isaac Hull’s influence in the War of 1812? Despite American Sea Captain victories, what mere influence did they have on the war?
The British navy blockaded American ports to stop American trade. Though unable to break the blockade, several American sea captains won stunning victories.
One famous battle took place early in the war, in August 1812. As he was sailing near Newfoundland, Isaac Hull, captain of the USS Constitution, spotted the British ship HMS Guerrière (geh ree AIR). For nearly an hour, the two ships jockeyed for position. At last, the guns of the Constitution roared into action. They tore holes in the sides of the Guerrière and shot off both masts. Stunned, the British captain had no choice but to surrender. American sea captains won other victories at sea. These victories cheered Americans but did little to win the war.
True or False: One goal of the War Hawks was to conquer Canada. They were convinced that Canadians would welcome the chance to throw off British rule and join the United States.
True
What was General William Hull’s influence on the War of 1812? How did British General Isaac Brock trick Americans in Canada? What happened in Canada on April 27, 1813?
General William Hull moved American troops into Canada from Detroit. The Canadians had only a few untrained troops to ward off the invasion. However, they were led by a clever British general, Isaac Brock. Brock paraded his soldiers in red coats to make it appear that experienced British troops were helping the Canadians. He also led Americans to think that a large number of Native Americans were fighting alongside the Canadians. Brock’s scare tactics worked. Hull retreated from Canada. Other attempts to invade Canada also failed. However, on April 27, 1813, U.S. soldiers crossed Lake Ontario and successfully captured York, present-day Toronto. The Americans seized British guns and supplies, and they set fire to public buildings.
