Mr. Madison’s War
Efforts at Peace
o 3 years tried to protect American shipping
War Hawks
o Strong nationalists (mostly from the West)
o Typically younger generation that came of age after the Revolution
o Denounced impressments and GB support of Indians
o Wanted war to restore national honor
o Primarily from the South and West
o John Calhoun (Representative from South Carolina)
Henry Clay (Speaker of House from Kentucky
o Wanted war to acquire new territory in Canada and Florida
o Remove European powers from our borders and deprive Indians of weapons
1812 – declaration of war by Congress
o Vote for war was actually very close (House 79-49 and Senate 19-13)
o US was disunited and militarily unprepared to go to war with a major world power
o The Bank charter had expired in 1811 and the northern merchants and bankers refused to loan money to finance the war
South and West – favored war
Northeast – opposed to war