The Presidency of James Madison

NOTES

OBJECTIVE(S):• Describe how American foreign

policy differed during Madison’s presidency, compared to those before him

• Explain the procedure for the United States declaring war

• Identify the causes and effects of the War of 1812

I.I. James Madison, fellow James Madison, fellow Democratic-Republican and Democratic-Republican and Thomas Jefferson’s right hand Thomas Jefferson’s right hand man, had served as Jefferson’s man, had served as Jefferson’s Secretary of State and later Vice-Secretary of State and later Vice-President and, upon Jefferson’s President and, upon Jefferson’s decision to step away from the decision to step away from the presidency after two terms—presidency after two terms—following Washington’s example—following Washington’s example—Madison ran for president.Madison ran for president.

II.II. Madison had one Madison had one major event tarnish his major event tarnish his term in office: the War term in office: the War of 1812, pitting the of 1812, pitting the Americans against the Americans against the British. British.

II.II. America fought the War of America fought the War of 1812 against the British. 1812 against the British. A.A. The conflict was caused The conflict was caused

by the on-going by the on-going Napoleonic Wars Napoleonic Wars between Britain and between Britain and France. France.

B.B. To strengthen their forces, To strengthen their forces, the British Navy was seizing the British Navy was seizing American merchant ships American merchant ships and impressing—forcing and impressing—forcing them to join—American them to join—American sailors into the British navy.sailors into the British navy.

C.C. The British refused to stop The British refused to stop despite Madison’s despite Madison’s objections; he felt objections; he felt compelled to ask Congress compelled to ask Congress to declare war on Britain in to declare war on Britain in 1812.1812.

D.D. The British defeated the The British defeated the Americans in almost every Americans in almost every engagement in the war. engagement in the war. American cities of Detroit American cities of Detroit and Washington, D.C. were and Washington, D.C. were invaded and torched.invaded and torched.

E.E. The British Navy The British Navy blockaded American blockaded American ports, which stopped ports, which stopped trade and severely trade and severely hurt the American hurt the American economy.economy.

F.F. Madison sent Madison sent representatives to sue—or representatives to sue—or ask—for peace. The Treaty ask—for peace. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1815 of Ghent was signed in 1815 and the war was over, and the war was over, except for the Battle of New except for the Battle of New Orleans.Orleans.

G.G. But before news of the But before news of the peace agreement was peace agreement was widely known, the Battle widely known, the Battle of New Orleans took of New Orleans took place.place.

1.1. The British, unaware of The British, unaware of the ending of hostilities, the ending of hostilities, invaded the American invaded the American port of New Orleans port of New Orleans (acquired in the (acquired in the Louisiana Purchase).Louisiana Purchase).

2.2. Led by General Led by General Andrew Jackson, the Andrew Jackson, the Americans fought back Americans fought back the British invasion, the British invasion, making “Old Hickory” a making “Old Hickory” a national hero.national hero.

H.H. The War of 1812 caused The War of 1812 caused a rise in nationalism that a rise in nationalism that lessened the tensions lessened the tensions between the Federalists between the Federalists and Democratic-and Democratic-Republicans. Republicans.

1.1. The war inspired The war inspired Francis Scott Key to Francis Scott Key to write the national write the national anthem, “The Star anthem, “The Star Spangled Banner.”Spangled Banner.”

2.2. After the war, the “Era of After the war, the “Era of Good Feelings” began, a Good Feelings” began, a period of domestic peace period of domestic peace and prosperity for the and prosperity for the United States. United States.