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Impressment of Sailors
Due to the French Revolution, there was war in Europe against Napoleonic France. While war raged on in Europe, America remained neutral allowing the nation to continue trade with both Britain and France. However, due to the trade between America and France(which upset the British) as well as Britain's need for sailors for their navy during the war, they began impressment of American sailors. This forced Americans to become part of the British navy against their will. -
Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
In this proclamation, Washington states the United States' neutrality in the war against Napoleonic France in Europe. -
Jay Treaty
John Jay was sent to Britain for negotiation in regard to the British troops who still occupied forts in the west U.S, the seizing of American ships attempting to continue trade with France, and property used by the British during the revolution that had not been paid for. While the treaty failed to address many things the British withdrew their soldiers from the western fort and paid for past damages of seized ships/cargo. The British were allowed to continue fur trade with Native Americans. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In his farewell address, Washington expressed his decision not to run for a third term(setting a standard for future presidents). Washington also gave two warnings stating political parties would only continue to divide the country and that long-term alliances between the U.S and other countries wouldn't be effective as the interests of Europe and the U.S were fundamentally different. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The HMS Leopard and USS Chesapeake were two ships that got into an altercation when the Leopard was patrolling the coast in an attempt to find navy deserters. The Chesapeake had several wanted British deserters on board as a part of their crew. The Leopard requested permission to search the Chesapeake for deserters but were met with a no, so they became aggressive and searched the ship by force, injuring and killing several men. News of this got out and "war fever" broke out among angry citizens -
Embargo Act
In an attempt to avoid war and remain neutral the U.S imposed the Embargo Act which restricted trade. The act closed all American ports to exports and restricted imports from Britain. It was an effort in economic coercion but it hurt America's economy more than any other country. -
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War Hawks
The War Hawks were second-generation Republicans who replaced former representatives in congress who were voted out by those tired of Jefferson and Madison's policy of economic coercion. They were for declaring war on Great Britain, invading British Canada, and evacuating the Spanish from Florida. Their aggressive mentality is what gave them their name but their aggression paid off as eventually America did declare war on Great Britain. -
Tecumseh 1811
Tecumseh was a Native American Chief of the Shawnee tribe. In 1811, he attempted to negotiate with the U.S government to stop expansion into Native American lands in the west. Unfortunately, he was unsuccessful and this led to violence so he joined the British in the north. -
Tecumseh War of 1812
Tecumseh and his subjects joined the British in the War of 1812. His aid in Michigan proved vital as he and the British defeated American forces in the Siege of Detroit. After Detroit Tecumseh joined in the invasion of Ohio fighting against the Americans again. Unfortunately once the U.S invaded Canada he and the British were forced to flee not long before he was killed. -
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War of 1812
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Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a secret convention held in Hartford, Connecticut where federalists from several states convened. During this convention, they discussed their dissatisfaction with the results of economic coercion and the progress of the War of 1812. The more extreme of these federalist delegates suggested seceding from the U.S. Not much came of this however except humiliation of the federalists. -
Treaty of Ghent
This treaty established peace between the U.S and Britain "functionally" ending the war, however, the final battle occurred two weeks later. Strangely enough, the events that led to the war were left unresolved to an extent as they were not mentioned in the treaty. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the last major battle of the War of 1812 ironically occurring two weeks after the Treaty of Ghent was signed. This battle ended in American victory. This stopped the British from gaining control of an important American port.