This document summarizes the political and military events leading up to the War of 1812 between the United States and Britain. It describes how Napoleon's blockade of Europe and Britain's retaliation through impressment of American sailors increased tensions. The Chesapeake incident further inflamed the situation. Jefferson responded with economic embargoes that hurt the U.S. more than other countries. Meanwhile, Tecumseh united tribes in the Midwest against American expansion, culminating in a battle at Tippecanoe. Pro-war factions in Congress gained influence and called for action against Britain and its support of Native American resistance.

1. War of 1812
America Comes of Age

2. Jefferson’s 2 Term
nd
♦ 1804 – Jefferson
re-elected
* Must Face problems in
Europe

3. Napoleon Battles Britain
♦ 1806 – Napoleon decided to
deny Britain the opportunity to
trade in Europe using a
blockade.

4. England Responds
♦ 1806 – England attempts to
blockade France.
♦ This involves seizing over 1,000
American ships.
♦ English practice impressments of
American sailors.

5. Chesapeake Incident
♦ 1807 – English
wanted to Search
the Chesapeake for
“British” sailors.
♦ Captain refused
and the British
opened fire killing
3 and injuring 18.
This is how I
was hired to
teach you.

6. Embargo of 1807
♦ Jefferson reacted to news of the
Chesapeake Incident by pushing for a ban
on exporting to Europe. He hoped that this
would hurt England & France.
♦ This turned out to be a huge economic
failure for the United States
♦ WHY?

7. Election of 1808
♦ James Madison
defeats Pinckney
& Clinton to keep
the White House
in D-R control
George Clinton

8. < Notice
Massachusetts did
not choose
Madison. Why?

9. Mr. Madison’s Problems
♦English Impressment
♦Unpopular Embargo Act
♦French Impressment
♦Native American Unrest

10. Native American Issues
♦ 1809 – Gen. William
Harrison (Gov. of
Indiana Territory)
meets with several
chiefs to buy land
♦ Shawnee Chief –
Tecumseh refuses and
organizes the
resistance.

11. ♦ Tecumseh’s Confederacy
♦ 1805 - Brother the Prophet encouraged tribes
to avoid white religion & civilization – focus
on return to beliefs
♦ 1810 & 1811 – Tecumseh traveled the west
trying to build the confederacy

13. Tippecanoe
♦ 1811 – Prophet –
led Shawnee on
attack on Harrison
at the Tippecanoe
River

15. ♦ Harrison, the “Hero of
Tippecanoe”, will use
this later when he runs
for President

16. http://pittsford.monroe.edu/PittsfordMiddle/Staff/CDermody/media_files
War Hawks
♦ Shawnee used
Don’t hate me
because I’m
beautiful.
British Weapons
♦ Congress was
furious
♦ Sen. John C.
Calhoun
of S.C. & Henry Clay
of KY
“On to Canada!”