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Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
George Washington declared the U.S neutral in the French Revolution involving France and Great Britain. He wanted both sides in the war to know that America wasn't going to take sides and that it would not be involved in order to not put the country in danger. America also wasn't prepared for the war. President Washington stopped British and French warships from entering U.S ports in order to prevent conflict with them. Siding with either country would impact their economy and access to goods. -
Jay Treaty
The British Navy was seizing American ships going to French ports. The U.S and Great Britain were getting closer to being in a war, so in order to prevent this, George Washington sent John Jay to negotiate a treaty so that the British soldiers could withdraw from western forts. But also allowing the British to trade fur with the Indians in the Northwest. The Jay Treaty was formed as a result but it didn't solve all of the problems between Great Britain and the U.S. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In Washington's Farewell Address he stated many things. He stated his retirement. He believed that the U.S should have neutral alliances and be involved in helping other nations but also staying clear of permanent alliances with other countries. Washington didn’t like political parties and he didn’t want it to lead to factionalism. He feared that it would allow bad men to rise and take over the government and the U.S. He believed that the government's priority was to take care of the people. -
Impressment of Sailors
During the War between the French, the British Navy was stopping foreign ships and kidnapping seamen to join the British navy and fight in the war. The British were kidnapping people because they couldn't get enough volunteers or people in the British Navy. About 10,000 American sailors were kidnapped and forced to join the British Navy. -
Embargo Act 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was placed because Thomas Jefferson thought it would help America avoid being involved in the war between France and Great Britain. This act stopped trade with Great Britain and France. Many people hated the Embargo act because it was affecting the United State's economy. As a result, people started to smuggle things into America. After Jefferson left office, Congress repealed the Embargo Act. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The American Warship Chesapeake was headed to the Mediterranean but was stopped by the British ship Leopard on its voyage. The commander of the British ships wanted to retrieve its four British seamen that had abandoned their British ships, Melampus and Halifax. Captain James Barron refused and then both ships began to battle each other. The British Commander took some people from the American ship and the federalists and the Republicans wanted war with Britain. -
War Hawks
Some young Congress members mostly from the south and west, also known as War Hawks, wanted the U.S to declare war on Britain. Britain was impressing American sailors into the British Navy. The War Hawks wanted to add more territory to the U.S such as Canada and Florida. They wanted to push the Indigenous people's frontier farther west even though the Indigenous people didn't want that. Many Congressmen didn't want war but then, Congress was convinced and declared war against Great Britain. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was a Native American and he tried to negotiate and make peace with the American government many times and to stop their western expansion into native lands. But the negotiation didn't work. While Tecumseh was traveling to gather more allies, Harrison's army went to Prophetstown, where the Confederacy was, and attacked them. The Natives attacked Harrison's army but they were also able to fight back and burn down the town. Tecumseh and his confederacy then allied with the British. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh and his confederacy aided and supported the British during the War of 1812. They defeated American forces in the Siege of Detroit. But in 1813, the British liaison left Tecumseh to fight for themselves at the Battle of the Thames against Harrison. Tecumseh was killed and his confederacy fell apart. -
War of 1812
Great Britain and the United States were at War. Great Britain had done many things that the U.S didn’t like. The war was caused because Britain was impressing American seamen into their Navy, they wanted to restrict U.S trade, and America wanted to get more land. The battle in Detroit was won by the British but it was later won by the Americans. Tecumseh and his army sided with the enemy and fought well until Tecumseh was killed. The U.S won the war. -
Hartford Convention
It was a debate about the relationship between the 18 states and the federal government. Some delegates wanted the Constitution to be amended. They wanted 2/3 majority vote for wars to be declared. The US delegated in Europe signed the Treat of Ghent and this ended the war with Great Britain. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was a peace treaty that officially ended the War Between the British and the United States. Great Britain agreed to end their ownership of the Northwest Territory. The U.S and Britain signed to end their slave trade. The news of the treaty wasn't spreading quickly. -
Battle of New Orleans
This was the last major battle between the British and the U.S. army. This battle happened even after the War of 1812 ended because they didn't know that a peace treaty was signed ending the War of 1812.