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Impressment of Sailors
The Impressment of Sailors was when British would take over American ships and force the American sailors to serve in the British Navy. Impressment of the sailors was one of the reasons the United States listed as a reason to declare war on Great Britain. -
Washington's Proclaimation of Neutrality
Washington created his Proclaimation of Neutrality to try and keep the United States in a neutral position as war broke out in Europe between France and Great Britain. The United States wanted to support France, but they were also too weak to fight Great Britain and the economy of the United States could not support that. -
Jay Treaty
Jay's Treaty was signed by the United States government to try and keep the United States safe while European powers were battling in Europe. The United States' goal with this treaty was to protect its trade and economy and try to keep the nation stable with all of the war going on in the world at the time. -
Washington's Farewell Address
Washington wrote his 32 page Farewell Address to warn the United States about things that could be a problem for the country in the future, and try to guide it to success. He warned about political parties, geographical distinctions, and long term alliances with other nations. Washington was trying to urge the nation to stay neutral in the world. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was a naval confrontation between the United States and Great Britain off of the coast of Norfolk, Virginia. This confrontation sparked the hostility that eventually led to the War of 1812. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was signed by Thomas Jefferson to restrict trading in foreign ports. Jefferson did this to try and stop American Trade ships from being raided on their voyages by British and French ships who thought they might be supplying war materials. As a result of Jefferson signing this act, agriculture market decreased, unemployment increased, and shipping related industries were harmed. -
War Hawks
The War Hawks were members of Congress who encouraged President Madison to declare war on Great Britain in 1812. These congressmen tended to be younger and from western and southern states. They created legislation and such that was supposed to help spark war between the United States and Great Britain. -
Tecumseh
When war broke out between the United States and Great Britain, Tecumseh, a Native American Cheif, allied himself and his tribe with Great Britain during the war because they were angry over the American settlers that had moved into their land. -
War of 1812 Begins
The War of 1812 began on June 18, 1812 when President James Madison signed the war into effect against Great Britain. The House of Representatitves and the Senate both agreed that war was needed to fight off the British. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was killed on October 5, 1813 in Harrison's (American military leader) invasion on Canada. The British were forced to flee, leading Tecumseh and his men to follow. Harrison pursued Tecumseh because of his betrayal to the United States, and he killed him. -
The Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a group of meetings of representatives from the Federalist Party. The Federalists who attended these meetings were against the War of 1812, and they held their convention to try and make ammendments that they felt needed to be made. Their conventioned failed however, and the war continued. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814 by the United States and Great Britain to end the War of 1812. Because neither military power was able to conquer what they wanted and no country would admit defeat, the war ended with a treaty. The signing of the treaty gave back conqured territory to the rightful owners, worked towards settling the Canadian and US border, and both countries started working towards ending their slave trades. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was fought on January 8, 1815, between the British and the United States. The victory of this battle landed in the United States hands. The battle was fought after the peace treaty had been signed, but it was also the last armed fight between the two nations.