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Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality
Washington issued the Proclamation of Neutrality stating the United States would remain neutral in the conflict between Britain and France. The U.S. were allies with France and when they were in a war they expected help, but the U.S. had a weak military and no money, so they didn't want to get involved in a war. -
Jay Treaty
George Washington sent John Jay to Britain, hoping he would be able to work out a treaty that would peacefully settle disputes between the United States and Britain. When the terms of the Jay Treaty became known there were many protests, mainly from followers of Jefferson. They believed Jay gained nothing and actually betrayed France, America's Ally. -
Washington's Farewell Address
In Washington's Farewell Address, he expressed his hope that America will stay out of the conflicts of foreign nations and not form permanent alliances. This Farewell Address was also the first and set a model for the rest to come. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Affair
The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair was between a U.S. merchant ship, USS Chesapeake, and a British naval ship, HMS Leopard. The British naval ship tried to search the U.S. merchant ship for deserters and the U.S. ship refused to stop, so the British naval ship started shooting at the American ship. The British ended up killing three Americans and forcing three more to work in the British Navy. -
Embargo Act of 1807
The Embargo Act of 1807 was a law passed by Congress and signed by Jefferson that prohibited American ships from trading in all foreign ports. It was intended to punish Britain and France for interfering American trade. The Act backfired and greatly affected the American economy -
Tecumseh: Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh's village gets attacked and they decided to fight back, even though he told them not too.William Henry Harrison was looking for an excuse to attack the village. The Americans ended up winning and prophet's town is burned to the ground. -
Impressment of Sailors
Britain was seizing American ships and were taking their sailors under impressment. They were forcing the American sailors to join the British navy, fight against their own country, and risk their lives by doing so. -
War Hawks
The War Hawks were members of Congress who put pressure on James Madison to declare war against Britain in 1812. They tended to be younger Congressmen from southern and western states, who wanted to put an end to British influence among the Native Americans. -
Tecumseh
Tecumseh was the Shawnee chief and a military leader in the war of 1812. Native Americans allied with the British to help fight in the war. For them, the war was a desperate struggle for freedom and independence. They played a key role in defending Canada. -
War of 1812 Begins
The War of 1812 was between the United States and Great Britain over British violations of U.S. maritime rights. The British were seizing American ships and impressing sailors, British influence on Native Americans, and War Hawks wanting to take over Canada for its land. The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent. -
Hartford Convention
Federalist delegates gathered in Hartford, Connecticut, to discuss the impact of the War of 1812 on their home states' economies. The Federalists were the ones who opposed the war, so they gathered to talk about its aftermath. The Convention resulted in a declaration calling on the Federal government to protect New England and to supply financial aid to its trade economy. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent ended the war of 1812. By its terms, all conquered territory was to be returned and commissions were planned to settle the boundary of the United States and Canada. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Battle of New Orleans was the final major battle of the war of 1812 and the United States achieved its greatest battlefield victory of the war at New Orleans. This battle prevented British effort to gain control of a critical American port and elevated Andrew Jackson to national fame.
