James Madison's Presidency & War of 1812 Guided Notes PDF

**Guided Notes: The Presidency of James Madison and the War of 1812** **Introduction:** James Madison served as the 4th President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. His presidency is most notably marked by the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, which had signi...

**Guided Notes: The Presidency of James Madison and the War of 1812** **Introduction:** James Madison served as the 4th President of the United States from 1809 to 1817. His presidency is most notably marked by the War of 1812, a conflict between the United States and Great Britain, which had significant political, economic, and social consequences for the young nation. The War of 1812 was not only a struggle for American sovereignty but also a battle involving native resistance led by figures like Tecumseh and events like the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair that heightened tensions with Britain. **Key Events During the Presidency of James Madison** **1. Election of 1808:** - **Overview:** James Madison was elected president in 1808, defeating Federalist candidate Charles C. Pinckney. Madison, a Democratic-Republican, continued the policies of his predecessor, Thomas Jefferson, particularly in regard to foreign relations and domestic policy. - **Key Idea:** Madison faced a difficult presidency due to rising tensions with Britain and France, both of which were interfering with American shipping. **Question:**\ *Which party did James Madison represent in the 1808 election?*\ A) Federalist\ B) Democratic-Republican\ C) Whig\ D) National Republican **2. The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair (1807):** - **Overview:** A major incident that occurred before Madison took office, but it contributed to rising tensions. The British warship HMS *Leopard* attacked the American naval vessel *Chesapeake*, impressing four American sailors. This act of aggression outraged Americans and contributed to the growing call for war against Britain. - **Key Definition**: - **Impact:** The incident led to the passage of the Embargo Act of 1807 under Jefferson, which was later replaced by the Non-Intercourse Act under Madison. **Fill in the Blank:**\ *The British warship HMS \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ attacked the American vessel Chesapeake in 1807, leading to a diplomatic crisis.*  **3. The Battle of Tippecanoe (1811):** - **Overview:** A significant event that occurred prior to the War of 1812. Tecumseh, a Shawnee leader, and his brother, the Prophet, led Native American forces in an effort to resist American expansion in the Northwest Territory. Governor William Henry Harrison led American forces against them in the Battle of Tippecanoe, where the Native Americans were defeated. - **Key Definition**: - **Impact:** The battle increased tensions between the United States and Native American tribes and brought Tecumseh into the spotlight as a leader of resistance. The British were believed to be supporting Native American resistance, which further contributed to the war with Britain. **Question:**\ *What was the outcome of the Battle of Tippecanoe?*\ A) American victory\ B) Native American victory\ C) Stalemate\ D) Treaty signed **4. The Non-Intercourse Act (1809):** - **Overview:** In an attempt to avoid war, the United States passed the Non-Intercourse Act, which lifted the embargo on trade with all countries except Britain and France. However, this law was ineffective because it failed to stop British and French interference with American shipping. - **Key Definition**: **Fill in the Blank:**\ *The Non-Intercourse Act of 1809 was aimed at reopening trade with all countries except \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ and \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_.* **5. The War of 1812:** - **Causes:** 1. **Impressment of American Sailors:** The British navy continued to seize American sailors, forcing them to serve in the British navy. 2. **Trade Restrictions:** Britain imposed trade restrictions on American ships, hurting the U.S. economy. 3. **Support for Native American Resistance:** The British were believed to be supporting Native American tribes, like Tecumseh\'s Shawnee, in their resistance to American expansion. 4. **Desire for Expansion:** \"War Hawks,\" members of Congress from the South and West, were eager to expand into Canada and defeat the British. **Question:**\ *Which of the following was a cause of the War of 1812?*\ A) American desire to annex Mexico\ B) British interference with American trade and impressment\ C) American support for Native American uprisings\ D) American support for British colonialism **6. Declaration of War (1812):** - **Overview:** On June 18, 1812, James Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain. The reasons included continued British interference with American trade, the impressment of American sailors, and British support for Native American resistance on the frontier. - **Key Definition**: **Fill in the Blank:**\ *James Madison asked Congress to declare war on Britain on \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ (date).* **7. Key Battles and Events of the War of 1812:** - **Battle of Lake Erie (1813):** - The American navy, under Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, won a decisive victory over the British, securing control of Lake Erie and cutting off British forces in the Northwest. - **Fill in the Blank:** *The Battle of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ secured control of Lake Erie for the United States.* - **The Burning of Washington D.C. (1814):** - During the War of 1812, British forces captured and burned Washington D.C., including the White House and the Capitol, as retaliation for American actions in Canada. - **Question:**\ *Which American city was burned by the British in 1814?*\ A) Philadelphia\ B) New York\ C) Washington D.C.\ D) Boston - **The Battle of New Orleans (1815):** - Fought after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed, but before the news reached the U.S., this battle resulted in a decisive victory for General Andrew Jackson and American forces. This victory made Jackson a national hero and boosted American morale. - **Fill in the Blank:**\ *The Battle of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ was fought after the Treaty of Ghent but before the news reached the U.S., resulting in an American victory.* **8. The Treaty of Ghent (1814):** - **Overview:** The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, ending the War of 1812. The treaty restored pre-war borders between the U.S. and Britain and resolved none of the issues that had led to the war, such as impressment or British support for Native American resistance. **Question:**\ *What did the Treaty of Ghent achieve?*\ A) Gave land to the U.S. from Britain\ B) Restored pre-war borders and ended the war\ C) Created a new war with France\ D) Established American control over Canada **9. Post-War Effects:** - **Nationalism:** Following the war, Americans experienced a surge of national pride, known as the \"Era of Good Feelings.\" The United States was seen as a strong and independent nation. - **Economic Growth:** The war encouraged domestic manufacturing as American goods were in demand due to British blockades. - **Decline of the Federalist Party:** The Federalists, who had opposed the war, became increasingly unpopular, especially after the Hartford Convention (1814), where they discussed secession. - **Fill in the Blank:**\ *After the War of 1812, there was a rise in \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_, with Americans feeling united and proud of their country.* **Review Questions** 1. **Multiple Choice:**\ *Which event directly led to the U.S. declaring war on Britain in 1812?*\ A) The Chesapeake-Leopard Affair\ B) The Battle of Tippecanoe\ C) The Battle of Lake Erie\ D) The Battle of New Orleans 2. **Multiple Choice:**\ *Which of the following was a result of the War of 1812?*\ A) The collapse of the U.S. economy\ B) A surge in nationalism and pride\ C) The annexation of Canada\ D) The expansion of the Federalist Party 3. **Fill in the Blank:**\ *The Treaty of \_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_\_ officially ended the War of 1812 and restored pre-war conditions.* 4. **Multiple Choice:**\ *Which Native American leader was involved in the Battle of Tippecanoe and later aligned with the British during the War of 1812?*\ A) Sequoyah\ B) Tecumseh\ C) Crazy Horse\ D) Sitting Bull