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Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington announced the Proclamation of Neutrality after the war between France and Great Britain was trying to get the US involved. Great Britain would cease US ships that were traveling to France believing the US was aiding them. The Proclamation of Neutrality states how the US is going to stay impartial and will not favor one nation. It will still trade with both countries but not weapons. The proclamation was used to not get the US involved in the war. -
Jay's Treaty
Jay’s Treaty helped settle peace between Great Britain and the United States and the United State neutrality. The treaty was in the US interest. British agreed to abandon ports in the Northwest region. It stopped Britain from stopping and interfering with US trade for a while. It also stopped Great Britain from telling the Natives to attack west American towns. Jay’s treaty was only a band-aid to what would lead to the War of 1812. -
Impressment of Sailors
Britain’s Royal Navy would cease American ships and kidnap American sailors. This was due to their army being low on manpower. Impressment was a way to draft man to wars when needed. It forcibly took unwilling seamen to enter the army. The British took about 15,000 US sailors for the Napoleonic Wars. This was one of the prime causes of the start of the War of 1812. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington’s farewell address warns the people about how political parties can tear nations apart. He states how some people are more loyal to a party than the country. They would lose interest in protecting rights and the country. He also tells them how to stay neutral and not form permanent alliances. Washington states the country needs to not get involved in wars and European affairs. They need to stay neutral and not favor one country over another. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
In 1807, USS Chesapeake was off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia and HMS Leopard came up to ship. Captain Salusbury Pryce Humphreys was in charge of HMS Leopard and had a warrant to search and take Royal Navy deserters. Commodore James Barron, in charge of the USS Chesapeake, refused. Humphreys ordered to fire at USS Chesapeake. Barron surrendered, however, Humphreys didn’t accept the surrender and sent a search party to bring the Royal Navy deserters back. They found 4 guys. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act of 1801 was an attempt to ensure US neutrality. Britain and France have been threatening US neutrality. The Embargo Act stopped all foreign trade. This was Jefferson's attempt to ensure Britain and France respect US neutrality. However, Jefferson’s plan backfired and caused smuggling and lost money. The economy was damaged. Many Americans lost their jobs. Due to smuggling, Jefferson saw no choice but to call on the Navy and Army to enforce the Embargo Act. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was the leader of the Shawnee. He traveled across America to find support and aid from other Native tribes to stop white settlers from expanding west. Tecumseh met with Governor William Henry Harrison to warn him about moving west, especially the lands in the Great Lakes. He told Harrison that violence will erupt if the white settlers moved into that land. When Tecumseh was away, Harrison took advantage and burned the town where Tecumseh’s confederacy Headquarters, Prophetstown. -
Tecumseh
After the burning of Prophetstown, Tecumseh made an alliance with the British to fight against the Americans to get back their land. Tecumseh’s confederacy created a strong alliance with the British. Since the British were also at war with France, they could not spare soldiers, so the alliance with the Native American Confederation helped with manpower. With the help of Tecumseh and his confederacy, the British got Forts Mackinac, Detroit, and Dearborn to surrender and be given to the British. -
War Hawks
War Hawks are congressmen who pushed for war. In 1812, the War Hawks were the young representatives of southern and western states. The reason for the War Hawks was that Great Britain has done some horrible things to go against the US. For example, aid the indigenous people to attack the US. They also wanted to gain land. They wanted to move west and gain territories in Florida and Canada. -
Beginning of War of 1812
On June 18, 1812, James Madison declared war on Great Britain. The start of the War of 1812 was caused by the War Hawks, Indian tribes supporting the British, kidnapping seamen, and the economic blockade of France caused by Britain. The US hoped that they would invade and gain land from Canada -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a meeting called by the New England States. It was a meeting that was secret. It was a debate on the relationship between the Central government and the state governments. It was to discuss the unfair representation in the House of Representatives. They believed that it was unfair how they count slaves as part of a state’s population and that affect the presidential elections that support the Republicans rather than the Federalists. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was the treaty that ended the War of 1812. After the US victory o Lake Champlain, the US and Britain agreed to meet and negotiate peace. The news of the treaty took two months to reach across the US. The treaty gave all conquered territories back to the countries and compromise on the border of the US and Canada. It, however, did not correct the impressment of American seamen and the ceasing of US ships -
Battle of New Orleans
Andrew Jackson was a prisoner of Great Britain during the American Revolution. Jackson saw the British coming so he called for all able men and weapons from New Orleans to come together and protect the city. The Americans started to fire at the British as they approach. Their cannonball blasted holes into the lines of the British. The British lost 2,000 soldiers including seven generals. This battle happened after the Treaty of Ghent was drafted. However, Jackson nor the British got word of it.