JAMES MADISON

AND THE SECOND WAR for INDEPENDENCE

MADISON’S CONTINUED COMMERCIAL WARFARE

Inherited a troubled Presidency

Attempt diplomacy and economic pressure

Ultimately took U.S. to war

MACON’S BILL NO. 2

Authorized the president to reopen trade with Britain and France

If either nation formally agreed to respect U.S. neutral rights at sea, then the U.S. would prohibit trade with that nation’s foe

NAPOLEON’S DECEPTION

Napoleon announced his intent to revoke decrees that violated U.S. neutral rights

Madison embargoed trade with Britain in 1811, though Napoleon continued seizing American ships

TECUMSEH Shawnee warrior

chief who organized a defensive tribal confederacy

He and his brother “the Prophet” received British Canadian backing

BATTLE OF TIPPECANOE

Gen. William Henry Harrison led a force of 1,000 men and destroyed the Shawnee village on Tippecanoe Creek

WAR HAWKS

“New Republicans”

Advocated nationalism and expansionism

Eager for war with Britain

Henry Clay

John C. Calhoun

WAR PREPARATIONS

April 1812 – Extended the Embargo for 90 days, Madison calls up 100,000 militia

Madison called for a declaration of war at the end of May – Britain suspended the orders in council June 16th

Unaware of the British concession, Congress moved for war June 18th

DECLARATION OF WAR ON GREAT BRITAIN

Madison’s message to Congress June 1st –

4 major grounds for war

1. impressment of American seamen

2. violation of U.S neutrality

3. blockade of U.S. ports

4. refusal to revoke the orders in

council

                            

   

WERE WE READY FOR WAR?

U.S. Advantages

… Great Britain had limited resources

… Proximity

… U.S. population greater than Canada

… U.S. Navy manned by efficient and well-trained officers and crews

U.S. Disadvantages

… Small army composed of volunteers

… Lack of united support in New England (“Mr. Madison’s War”)

… Lack of a national bank

Bank Debate•Charter on the U.S. Bank was due to expire March 4, 1811•Congressional consideration postponed due to foreign affairs•“Old Republicans” opposed renewal•2/3 of the stock was owned by Britons – renewal would aid the enemy

Failure to recharter the bank deprived the government of urgently needed financial resources during the War of 1812

ELECTION OF 1812 – A DIVIDED NATION

Madison won re-election

Republican strength in the South and West overcame Federalist and antiwar Republicans opposition to war in the North

FRANCIS SCOTT KEY

Prisoner on a British ship – watched as the city of Baltimore fought the British

TREATY OF GHENT

Failed to settle the issues that led to war

Americans yielded on impressment and gave up Canada

British agreed to stop aiding Indians

Commissions formed to settle boundary dispute

GENERAL ANDREW JACKSON

Battle of New Orleans

Large British army was met by General Jackson’s militia

British and US had negotiated peace 2 weeks earlier

•Federalist from 5 New England states•Discontent with the war and Madison's administration•Secede or no?

Hartford Convention: Leap or No Leap