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Napoleonic Wars
The tension in Europe escalated to war between Britain and France, so they both tried to limit each others contact with neutral, United States. -
The Battle of Trafalgar
A fleet of British ships destroyed what little was left of the French navy. As a result to loosing their Navy, Napoleion decided to use economic tactics against England. Britain responded by creating a blockade along the coast that required any good going to the Napoleon be transported in a British ship, exactly against his policy. -
Britain looses manpower due to "deserters"
With the horrible conditions on the British fleet, many of the saliors had resorted to deserting the boats and joining the American Navy. Many of these men had not volunteered in the first place. -
Chesapeake–Leopard Affair
After noticing the huge loss of manpower because of the British sailors leaving the British Navy to join the American navy, the Britsh began to search American ships for any deserters. on June 22, 1807 when the American ship Chesapeake refused a search, the British ship Leopard opened fire and the Americans surrendered. 4 sailors were captured, enraging the Americans. The British did not support what had happened, so they provided compensation and returned 3/4 of the sailors. -
The Embargo
This act denied American ships to the ability to go to any foreign port in the world. Most ships would avoid it, however those who followed the rules caused a big depression. -
James Madison becomes President
James Madison becomes president during the time The Embargo was in affect. Before Jefferson officially left his office, he approved a bill that would end The Embargo due to the bad consequences it had to the potential of. -
Non-Intercourse Act
Approved by Congress just days before James Madison took office, this act reopned trade with every country besdies France and Great Britain. -
Tecumseh begins unifying tribes
Tecumseh began campaigns to unite the Indians of the Mississippi Valley, north, and south. -
Election of War Hawks
These were representatives that wanted to go to war with Britain. Some of these nationalists also favored westward expansion especially Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun. Others wanted to defend Republican values, but together created a social environment ready for war. -
Macon's Bill No. 2
After the non-intercourse act expired, this bill was passed that opened trade with GB and France. With this new Bill, Napoleon said that France would not attack American ships. Along with that, James Madison said an embargo would automatically go into effect in 1811 unless Britain removed its restrictions on American shipping. GB did repeal the blockade but they did so too late. -
Seize fort at Baton Rouge
Settlers of West Florida capture the fort at Baton Rouge and asked federal government to annex it into the Union. Madison, however, began making plans on how to seize the rest of Florida. -
Henry Clay Speaker of the House
Henry Clay became Speaker of the House and created committees of people who wanted to go to war such as the Committee of Foreign Affairs with Calhoun who advocated seizing Canada. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Battle initiated by William Harrison versus Tecumseh's followers. Tecumseh, who had vowed to protect Indian tribes, had gone down to Missippi to encourage Indians to come join his alliance. They lost around the same amount of people on each side, but Harrison drove the Indians out and burned their town. This lessened Indians faith in Tecumseh. -
War of 1812
Madison officially declares war against Britain. For awhile, he tried to keep the peace, but he was losing the control of Congress and was worried about what would happen to America's trade. This made many people eager for war. -
Put-in-Bay
Oliver Perry led Americans to seize Lake Erie who dispersed a British fleet of ships. -
Battle of Thames
William Harrison invaded Canada by going up the Thames River, and killed Tecumseh now a general of the British Army. This weakened the spirit of Natives to defend their land. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
The Creeks had been receiving supplies from the Spanish and were attacking whites. Andrew Jackson led his men across Florida's border and attacked the Creek Indian tribes to put down their resistance to white settement, killing many women and children. -
British invade Washington
The British invaded the capital and burned public buildings and the White House for revenge after Americans burned York, the capital of Canada. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
During this battle, American forces repelled a British invasion in northen New York. It turned back a much larger British naval and land force and secured the northern border of the United States. -
National Anthem written
On this day, Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner," which later, when set to the tune of an old English drinking song, became what is known today as the national anthem. -
Seize fort at Pensacola
Andrew Jackson now genral of Continental Army seized the Spanish fort. -
Hartford Convention
Delegates from the New England states met in Hartfod, Connecticut to discuss secession. It reasserted the right of nullification and proposed seven amendents designed to protect New England from the growing influence of the South and the West. After the convention adjourned, however, the victory at New Orleands reached the northeastern cities and in the euphoria of the triumph, the Hartford Convention seemed futile. This was a death blow to the Federalist Party. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Americans gave up their demand for a British rununciation of impressment and for the cession of Canada, and the British gave up their demand for the creation of an Indian buffer state. -
Battle of New Orleans
Andrew Jackson and his army of Tennesseans, Kentuckians, Creoles, blacks, pirates, and regular army troops fought back the British behind earthen fortifications. The Americans fought back several waves of of the British. The British casualties were significantly higher than those of the Americans.
