Write about the War of 1812, so here is the question: though it worked out for the United States in the end, should the United States have responded to the provocations (real and imagined) of the British by declaring war on it? If not, what should they have done instead? If so, what is your reason for supporting that answer?
You should go back and look at the class presentation, read the section in Chapter 8 about the events just prior to the war, and anything else you might find (though if you use outside resources, you must properly cite them), and answer the question to the best of your ability.
Physics U.S. HISTORY Chapter 8 Growing Pains: The New Republic, 1790–1820 Part I PowerPoint Image Slideshow College Physics Chapter # Chapter Title PowerPoint Image Slideshow Formally proposed by James Madison, amended by Congress, sent to states (9/25/89). Why amend already? George Mason (VA) had said at Constitutional Convention, “I’d rather cut off my right hand than sign the Constitution as it was”. He had voiced great concern about the power being concentrated in the hands of this new government (in fact, he became one of three who did not sign) As the passage of the Constitution appeared threatened (since more than a few states had significant opponents who voiced the same anti-Federalist sentiments), men like James Madison began to understand the concern and intimated they would support an alteration if the Constitution was approved. The bill of rights The bill of rights Ten of them passed 12/15/1791 (the 11th … in 1992. The 12th is “still out there”!) These are the “civil liberties” that civil rights groups cherish, and hopefully all of you do, too (We’re going to talk about these now) Alexander Hamilton’s Programs Goal: how to address problem of federal and state debt, when foreign nations deemed us a credit risk? In the “First Report on Public Credit”, Hamilton recommended retiring all of the debt, meaning the government would honor all IOUs. This included the paper money issued by the Confederation and the states during the war. All at face value. Then bonds would be issued to replace notes, payable with interest in future. The basis of Hamilton’s argument in favor of this? The 18th Clause of Article I, Section 8 of the Constitution: “The Congress shall have Power ... To make all Laws which shall be necessary and proper for carrying into Execution the foregoing Powers, and all other Powers vested by this Constitution in the Government of the United States, or in any Department or Officer thereof.” Thomas Jefferson and James Madison opposed the imposition of the Hamilton plan, and only their agreement to see the new federal capital built in Virginia’s District of Columbia overcame their objections (The Compromise of 1790) 4 Hamilton also supported A federal excise tax on distilled spirits (to help pay off bondholders mentioned above … we’ll get back to this). An excise tax was levied on goods at the moment of manufacture, rather than sale In his Second Report on Public Credit, Hamilton saw enacted a federal currency (to stabilize the nation’s floundering currency) and the establishment of a “Bank of the United States” (repository for federal funds; issue loans/bonds to fund projects). In his Report on Manufacturing, he urged support for the fledgling US manufacturing industry (and the building of the nation’s infrastructure) by encouraging the raising tariffs and the subsidizing of domestic industry (e.g., interest-free loans, tax breaks, etc.) Jefferson and Madison opposed the entire program (which Washington supported), and “defeated” the Report on Manufacturing recommendations (well, the subsidies part of it; the tariffs in fact did pass) More of Alexander Hamilton’s Program The French Revolution The French Revolution was caused by years of fiscal mismanagement and the incompetence of government to remedy it The Revolution started July 14th, 1789 with the storming of the Bastille Admirable things happened (“Declaration of the Rights of Man and Citizen”; king agrees to representative Parliament,). Americans were excited by “new France”. But this excitement was soon replaced with moments of great horror As the nation teetered from within (near civil war) and without (invasions), radical elements took control and instituted “The Terror” to “save” the Revolution. The violence of revolutionary France horrified many in the United States—especially Federalists, who saw it as an example of the danger of direct democracy. In 1793, Edmund Genet (“Citizen” because that was the formal address of all men and women after the Revolution) came to the U.S. to recruit Americans to join their war effort vs. England His success in recruiting, and initial American successes for France, alarmed the government neutrals. Things got worse when British seized 250 US ships in the West Indies. On Alexander Hamilton’s urging, Washington formally met Genet and demanded he quit his actions. Defiant, Genet continued to recruit until Hamilton and Jefferson urged Washington to expel him. He only stayed because the new radical government had issued an arrest warrant, and he would have been executed. He was granted political asylum instead and retired peaceably in New York Citizen Genet Affair Concerned about the appearance of America’s neutrality, Hamilton urged Washington to send John Jay to Britain to negotiate a settlement of their grievances. For their part the British were eager to negotiate as well and avoid an overseas conflict. The subsequent treaty, Jay’s Treaty, required the Brits to abandon their western forts in the trans-Appalachian region, allowed the U.S. to trade in West Indies, and compensated U.S. $11M for ships damaged during the recent conflicts involving France. We also established “most favored nation” trade status with each other. This treaty strengthened the formal ties of the fledgling Democratic-Republican (opposition) Party Jay’s Treaty The Whiskey Rebellion Federal excise tax (mentioned earlier) on distilled liquors mostly affected western farmers who made it to supplement income and sometimes as trade currency (since they couldn’t afford the “flat fee tax” eastern farmers could afford) Opposition to the tax was most strongly felt in western parts of PA and KY. The biggest rebellion occurred in Pennsylvania, with up to 500 farmers led by Revolutionary War veteran Major James McFarlane. Tax collectors were attacked (“tarred and feathered”), and the home of the general tax inspector was vandalized. Once again, it was Alexander Hamilton who goaded President Washington into action. This time, Washington raised an army of 13,000 men (!) which he personally led into Western PA to put down the rebellion, which was mostly abandoned upon learning of Washington’s arrival Twenty men were arrested for their roles in the uprising, but only two were convicted of treason. They were later pardoned by Washington. Federalists made clear they would not tolerate mob action. Washington’s actions, in particular, met with widespread approval Treaty of Greenville (1795) President Washington ordered General “Mad” Anthony Wayne against the Western Confederacy. After months of planning, Wayne won a decisive victory at Fallen Timbers in northwest Ohio (8/20/1794) over the Confederacy, who had been joined by about 150 British regulars from Canada The Treaty of Greenville formally ended the conflict (8/3/1795). Key figures at this treaty included William Henry Harrison, Meriwether Lewis and William Clark (all of whom we will learn more about next class) In exchange for compensation and a promise to seek no more land, the Confederacy ceded most of modern OH to the U.S., as well as parts of Michigan, the territory that became Chicago, IL and bits of IN and KY. They also recognized US sovereignty over entire area. Note, too, the role Jay’s Treaty played in the Indian concessions here. The Brits withdrew from the southern Great Lakes region after the treaty. President Adams and the XYZ Affair In 1797, our hostilities with France increased (Jay’s Treaty), as they were seizing US ships in the Caribbean Negotiations to head off continued hostilities turned sour when French officials insisted on a bribe/payment to negotiate. When the commission returned to Congress to report on their progress, President Adams redacted the names of the French officials involved with the letters “X”, “Y” and “Z” Adams sent the team back to renegotiate but, anticipating failure called for a naval and military buildup. He reinstituted the navy and even created a cabinet level position to head the new Department of the Navy. This 1799 print, entitled “Preparation for WAR to defend Commerce,” shows the construction of a naval ship, part of the effort to ensure the United States had access to free trade in the Atlantic world (the so-called “Quasi War” that was never formally declared) The “Quasi War” Fought primarily along the southern Atlantic coast and the Caribbean Repeated U.S. successes (US Navy vs. French privateers) led to a formal treaty in 1800 (the Treaty of Mortefontaine, or Convention of 1800) which dissolved the Treaty of Alliance of 1778, required both nations to return confiscated merchant vessels, and established a favorable trade alliance between the two. The agreement helped keep the U.S. out of the Napoleonic Wars … for the time being. These 1798 war measures were aimed to improve national security against what most had come to regard as the French menace. The Alien Acts made it easier to deport “dangerous aliens” (immigrants) and made it harder for them to obtain citizenship The Sedition Act imposed harsh penalties—up to five years’ imprisonment and a massive fine of $5,000 in 1790 dollars—on those convicted of speaking or writing “in a scandalous or malicious” manner against the government of the United States 25 Democratic-Republican supporters were indicted under the act, and ten were convicted. One was the aforementioned Congressman Matthew Lyon Also note: Jefferson/Madison opposition to acts led to “Kentucky and Virginia Resolutions” which articulated the principal of “nullification” (a principal we will examine more fervently later in the term) Cost Adams dearly in the 1800 Presidential election. Alien And Sedition Acts 13 Thomas Jefferson, 3rd President Election of 1800 was hotly contested, more so than in 1796. Jefferson narrowly edged Adams, signifying the first-ever transition in power Of course, Aaron Burr had to be overcome first … on the 36th ballot! (Alexander Hamilton lobbied for TJ) Twelfth Amendment (6/15/04) took care of the “two vote” problem: one for President, one for VP Jefferson favored smaller government, fewer taxes. He walked to his inaugural address, and often personally greeted visitors to the White House. Big state dinners became smaller, less visible back room suppers. Jefferson’s vision of America was a nation of “yeoman (that is, independent and self-sufficient) farmers”, the backbone of America. America would become “the breadbasket of the world” Thus favored sale of Western lands 1801-1805: U.S. President Jefferson’s refused to pay tribute to Barbary Coast pirates (who worked to the benefit of the Barbary states) War starts off surprisingly well for U.S. (in battle and with blockade), but frustrations mounted as Tripoli continued to reject diplomatic overtures. In 1804, a series of inconclusive battles were fought, with America increasingly desperate to get out of the conflict, especially as Napoleonic Wars are heating up. Then … The First Barbary (Tripolitan) War Battle of Derna (major Tripolitan city) (4/27-5/13, 1805)– decisive U.S. win (“Marine Corps’ Hymn”) with a mercenary army, an Army and Marine officer in charge of the divisions, and the support of three naval brigs. U.S. wins, but settles for a “ransom” to return captive Americans (about 300) for $60K and end to attack on American ships. That lasts … for all of two years. 15 Trouble in the Caribbean Haiti had successfully risen up to overthrow French colonial government (picture is of leader of revolt, Toussaint Louverture) Napoleon retook Haiti, but Haitians