War of 1812
Britain and France were at war with each other, as was much of the rest of Europe. Both sides thought that American ships were supplying the other with food, weapons, and other supplies. American ships were routinely stopped by both France and Britain. Each demanded to search the cargo holds. Sometimes, these situations ended in violence. In 1794, the United States was worried about the war between France and Great Britain. The United States Constitution, which had been ratified just three years before, provided for the introduction of a navy. Congress passed a bill giving permission to build six navy ships. One of these was the U.S.S. Constitution.
The British did not take the loss of the American colonies very well. They did not want the new country to be successful. In the early 1800s, they began capturing American ships and kidnapping American sailors. This led to another war between America and Great Britain called the War of 1812. The War of 1812 has often been called the Revolutionary War Part II and sometimes, “The Forgotten War”. The War of 1812 could be called the “war of poor communication.” Two days before the declaration of war, Great Britain agreed to repeal the naval laws which were chiefly responsible for the war. Speedy communication would have also eliminated the greatest battle, the Battle of New Orleans, that occurred 15 days after a peace treaty had been signed. The actual fighting occurred in America and in Canada. During this war, the British invaded Washington D.C. and burned the White House. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was also written during this war.
The British did not take the loss of the American colonies very well. They did not want the new country to be successful. In the early 1800s, they began capturing American ships and kidnapping American sailors. This led to another war between America and Great Britain called the War of 1812. The War of 1812 has often been called the Revolutionary War Part II and sometimes, “The Forgotten War”. The War of 1812 could be called the “war of poor communication.” Two days before the declaration of war, Great Britain agreed to repeal the naval laws which were chiefly responsible for the war. Speedy communication would have also eliminated the greatest battle, the Battle of New Orleans, that occurred 15 days after a peace treaty had been signed. The actual fighting occurred in America and in Canada. During this war, the British invaded Washington D.C. and burned the White House. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was also written during this war.
The U.S.S. Constitution never lost a battle. Despite its nickname, “Old Ironsides” was a wooden ship. During the War of 1812, the Constitution sunk a large number of ships belonging to the British navy. The Constitution got its nickname, “Old Ironsides.” when a British seaman saw one of his cannon balls hit the wooden hull of the U.S.S. Constitution, bounce off, and fall into the sea. In amazement, the seaman said, “Hurrah, her sides are made of iron.”. During the War of 1812, “Old Ironside captured 24 enemy vessels.
The War of 1812 ended when the Treaty of Ghent was signed at the end of 1814, guaranteeing that the United States and Britain would end their battle.
The War of 1812 ended when the Treaty of Ghent was signed at the end of 1814, guaranteeing that the United States and Britain would end their battle.
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Andrew Jackson: A New Kind of President
The first six Presidents of the United States were wealthy and well educated. In 1828, Andrew Jackson became President. He grew up poor in Carolina. Then he took the Wilderness Trail to Tennessee. He became a lawyer, politician, and business owner. He was the first President to come from a state west of the original 13 colonies.
Farmers, frontier settlers, and working men who lived on the territories were given suffrage when the territories became states. Women and African Americans could not vote. Only white men who had land or money could vote. Jackson supported the new voters.They liked his campaign. Their votes helped to elect him President.
As President, Jackson supported working people. He thought the bank only helped rich people and that the poor were not allowed to borrow money from the national bank. Jackson ordered the government to take its money out of the national bank and put it into state banks.
Indian Removal Act
As settlers came to the frontier, conflicts increased with American Indians there. Jackson believed the Indians slowed the growth of the United States. In 1830,Congress passed the Indian Removal Act. This law forced American Indians living east of the Mississippi River to leave their homes and businesses. The Indians had to move to Indian Territory in present-day Oklahoma. The Cherokee Indians objected. Cherokee Indian Chief John Ross took their case to the Supreme Court. Chief Justice John Marshall ruled that it was against the law to force the Cherokee to move. Jackson ignored the ruling. In 1838,the U.S. Army forced the Cherokee to travel 1,000 miles to Indian Territory. About one-fourth of the Cherokee died during this journey, called the Trail of Tears. The army also tried to force the Seminole Indians to leave Florida. Chief Osceola led their resistance. He was put in jail and died. Indians continued the struggle to keep their homes.