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4.4 America on the World Stage

7 min readdecember 22, 2022

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Build-up to the War of 1812

remained a big issue for America. British ships would take American crew as their prisoners, impressing them into the service of the Royal Navy. It violated American neutrality.

forbade neutral ships from trading with Britain’s enemies, and France retaliated by stating that all ships trading with Britain or following Orders would be seized. As a result, American ships were also seized by the French. Both violated US sovereignty and free trade rights.

During this time, Britain and France were engaged in a series of wars, known as the , that lasted from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. These wars were fought for a variety of reasons, including territorial and economic disputes, and involved a number of countries.

, the French general and statesman who rose to power after the French Revolution, had ambitious territorial goals and sought to expand the French Empire. He sought to conquer and annex new territories, including in Europe and in other parts of the world, which led to conflicts with other powers.

To support its war effort against France, Britain needed a large and well-trained navy. To meet this need, the British navy impressed sailors from a variety of sources, including from other countries.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FUSS-Chesapeake.jpg?alt=media&token=39e7e06e-ba24-46ef-9d1e-f9340c2c90c9

The attack of the Chesapeake caused such furor in the hearts of Americans that even eighty years after the incident, an artist sketched this drawing of the event. Fred S. Cozzens, The incident between HMS “Leopard” and USS “Chesapeake” that sparked the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, 1897. Wikimedia.

The Chesapeake affair occurred in 1807 when a British warship, the Leopard, attacked an American warship, the Chesapeake. With three sailors killed and four others forced into the British navy, Americans demanded war, but Jefferson responded with “peaceful coercion.” Basically, the idea was that if the two countries refused to respect the rights of the neutral US, the US would keep its ships at home. 

Jefferson’s answer was , which prohibited all American overseas trade. Jefferson wanted economic pressure to force British to change, but this plan backfired. It had worked to an extent, but Britain found new sources instead. It actually led to disaster for America, backfiring on Jefferson.

The British had little difficulty substituting supplies from the US with ones from South America. The effect on the American economy was devastating, especially for shipbuilders in New England. Jefferson would call for its repeal in the final days of his presidency.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Jeffersonian Republic

War of 1812

America successfully negotiated with Britain on , but it took too long for the news to reach the US. Congress had already declared war by the time the news reached them. Major causes of the (which actually lasted until 1814) were:

  • and trade on the seas

  • Western frontier pressures where the British were encouraging Natives to attack Americans.

  • War Hawks in Congress, who were young Democratic-Republicans from frontier states and were eager with war with Britain. They were led by Henry Clay and John Calhoun. 

America failed to invade British Canada, and Britain blocked the American coast, which hurt the American economy. Britain was successful in invading Maryland. In Baltimore, at the famous Battle of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the words of the as the fort held out against the bombardment overnight. 

The British then marched into the capital with little opposition. In response to Americans burning the Canadian capital of York (Toronto), the British burned the White House and Capitol building.

defeated the British in the . The peace treaty had already been negotiated, but due to the speed of communication, it was not realized that the war was already over. Jackson became a national hero.

The , ending the war, did the following:

  • Halted the fighting

  • Returned all conquered territory to the prewar areas

  • Recognized prewar borders of the US and Canada. 

So basically, nothing was won out of the war.

The war did show that America was competent enough, allowing European nations to take America more seriously. Both Jackson and Harrison became national heroes due to their leadership roles in the military. It also stimulated manufacturing in America.

Hartford Convention 

In 1814, a group of New England Federalists gathered in Hartford, Connecticut. The purpose of the convention was to address the grievances of the Federalist Party, which was the dominant political party in New England at the time, and to consider the options available to the party in the face of what it saw as the deteriorating political and economic situation in the United States.

They recommended the following changes to the Constitution:

  • Allow secession of the states (the delegates later turned this down)

  • Require a ⅔ majority of Congress to declare war

  • New procedures on admitting new states. 

However, shortly after the convention, news spread of Jackson’s victory and the end of the war, which stamped the Federalists as unpatriotic and further weakened them.

Monroe Doctrine

The was a foreign policy statement issued by President James Monroe in 1823.

There were three key principles of the :

  • America would stay out of European wars unless directly impacted

  • European nations would not make any new colonies or attempt to take back control over former colonies in the Americas

  • America would count any European colonization attempt in the Western Hemisphere to be an “unfriendly act.”

During this period, the United States was faced with a number of challenges, including the threat of European interference in its affairs and the potential for renewed conflict with Great Britain. In order to address these challenges and to assert its independence, the United States began to develop a foreign policy that was designed to protect its interests and to promote its own expansion. As part of this effort, the United States began to assert itself as a regional power and to resist European efforts to extend their control over the Western Hemisphere.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Era of Good Feelings

Native American Removal

was a policy that was implemented by the United States government in the 19th century. It began in the late 18th century and continued into the early 20th century, although the majority of the forced relocations took place in the 1830s and 1840s.

The policy of was implemented by the United States government as a way to open up land for white settlement and to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society.

was carried out through a series of federal laws and treaties, as well as through military force. It was justified by the belief that Native Americans were "savages" who were incapable of adapting to mainstream American culture and that their removal was necessary for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

The policy of had a major impact on the lives of Native Americans, as it resulted in the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to lands west of the Mississippi River. Many Native Americans died during the journey west, and the policy had a devastating impact on Native American cultures and communities, as it disrupted traditional ways of life and separated families and tribes.

The was a forced relocation of Native Americans that occurred in the late 1830s as part of the United States government's policy of . Thousands of Native Americans died as they were forced to move from their lands. The was a result of the , which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President . The Act called for the removal of Native Americans living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River.

The United States government had signed treaties with Native American tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, that promised to protect their lands and rights. The Indian Removal Act violated these treaties, as they forced Native Americans to leave their ancestral lands and to give up their rights.

In a series of cases, including (1832), the Supreme Court upheld the rights of Native Americans and recognized their sovereignty. These cases established that Native Americans had the right to their ancestral lands and that the federal government had a duty to protect these rights.

Despite the Court's ruling, Jackson refused to take action to protect the rights of the Cherokee Nation and instead supported the . In response to the Court's decision, written by Chief Justice , Jackson reportedly retorted, "Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!" This policy resulted in the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation and other Native American tribes.

Jackson's actions have been widely criticized as being unconstitutional and as violating the rights of Native Americans. His actions have been seen as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and as a troubling precedent for future presidents to follow.

Key Terms to Review (19)

Andrew Jackson

: Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States (1829–1837). He is known for his strong leadership style, his role in the Indian Removal Act, and for being a symbol of the "common man."

Battle of Fort McHenry

: The Battle of Fort McHenry took place during the War of 1812 when British forces attempted but failed to capture Baltimore Harbor. It is famous because Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing this battle.

Battle of New Orleans

: The Battle of New Orleans was a significant battle in the War of 1812 where American forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated British forces. It took place after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed but before news reached America.

Chesapeake Affair

: A naval engagement that occurred off the coast of Virginia in 1807 between a British warship, HMS Leopard, and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. The British demanded to board the American ship to search for deserters from their navy, which led to conflict.

Hartford Convention

: The Hartford Convention was a meeting held by New England Federalists in late 1814-early 1815 to discuss their grievances about the War of 1812 and consider secession from Union.

Impressment

: Impressment is a practice where men are forced into military service without prior notice or consent.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

: This was a law signed by President Andrew Jackson that authorized him to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal westward, away from white settlements.

John Marshall

: John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the United States (1801–1835). His court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a center of power.

Monroe Doctrine

: The Monroe Doctrine was an American policy set forth in 1823 that discouraged European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

Napoleon Bonaparte

: A French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He led several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars and became Emperor in 1804, leading France against various coalitions in what are now known as the Napoleonic Wars.

Napoleonic Wars

: The Napoleonic Wars were a series of major conflicts from 1803 to 1815 between Napoleon's French Empire and various European powers formed into several coalitions.

Native American Removal

: Native American Removal refers to the forced relocation of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Orders in Council

: The Orders in Council were decrees made by the British Crown during the Napoleonic Wars to restrict neutral countries' trade with France.

Star Spangled Banner

: The "Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. It was written by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

The Embargo Act

: The Embargo Act was a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1807 during Thomas Jefferson's presidency, prohibiting American ships from trading with foreign countries. It was an attempt to avoid war and protect American interests, but it ended up hurting the U.S. economy more than it did its intended targets.

Trail of Tears

: The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Thousands died during this journey due to harsh conditions and disease.

Treaty of Ghent

: The Treaty of Ghent was a peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. It was signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium.

War of 1812

: The War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to February 1815. It was primarily over British violations of U.S. maritime rights.

Worcester v. Georgia

: Worcester v. Georgia was a Supreme Court case in 1832 that established tribal sovereignty in the United States, stating that laws passed by U.S. states do not apply within Native American tribal territories.

4.4 America on the World Stage

7 min readdecember 22, 2022

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Robby May

Robby May

S

Sally Kim

Milo Chang

Milo Chang

Build-up to the War of 1812

remained a big issue for America. British ships would take American crew as their prisoners, impressing them into the service of the Royal Navy. It violated American neutrality.

forbade neutral ships from trading with Britain’s enemies, and France retaliated by stating that all ships trading with Britain or following Orders would be seized. As a result, American ships were also seized by the French. Both violated US sovereignty and free trade rights.

During this time, Britain and France were engaged in a series of wars, known as the , that lasted from the late 18th century to the early 19th century. These wars were fought for a variety of reasons, including territorial and economic disputes, and involved a number of countries.

, the French general and statesman who rose to power after the French Revolution, had ambitious territorial goals and sought to expand the French Empire. He sought to conquer and annex new territories, including in Europe and in other parts of the world, which led to conflicts with other powers.

To support its war effort against France, Britain needed a large and well-trained navy. To meet this need, the British navy impressed sailors from a variety of sources, including from other countries.

https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/fiveable-92889.appspot.com/o/images%2FUSS-Chesapeake.jpg?alt=media&token=39e7e06e-ba24-46ef-9d1e-f9340c2c90c9

The attack of the Chesapeake caused such furor in the hearts of Americans that even eighty years after the incident, an artist sketched this drawing of the event. Fred S. Cozzens, The incident between HMS “Leopard” and USS “Chesapeake” that sparked the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, 1897. Wikimedia.

The Chesapeake affair occurred in 1807 when a British warship, the Leopard, attacked an American warship, the Chesapeake. With three sailors killed and four others forced into the British navy, Americans demanded war, but Jefferson responded with “peaceful coercion.” Basically, the idea was that if the two countries refused to respect the rights of the neutral US, the US would keep its ships at home. 

Jefferson’s answer was , which prohibited all American overseas trade. Jefferson wanted economic pressure to force British to change, but this plan backfired. It had worked to an extent, but Britain found new sources instead. It actually led to disaster for America, backfiring on Jefferson.

The British had little difficulty substituting supplies from the US with ones from South America. The effect on the American economy was devastating, especially for shipbuilders in New England. Jefferson would call for its repeal in the final days of his presidency.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Jeffersonian Republic

War of 1812

America successfully negotiated with Britain on , but it took too long for the news to reach the US. Congress had already declared war by the time the news reached them. Major causes of the (which actually lasted until 1814) were:

  • and trade on the seas

  • Western frontier pressures where the British were encouraging Natives to attack Americans.

  • War Hawks in Congress, who were young Democratic-Republicans from frontier states and were eager with war with Britain. They were led by Henry Clay and John Calhoun. 

America failed to invade British Canada, and Britain blocked the American coast, which hurt the American economy. Britain was successful in invading Maryland. In Baltimore, at the famous Battle of Fort McHenry, Francis Scott Key penned the words of the as the fort held out against the bombardment overnight. 

The British then marched into the capital with little opposition. In response to Americans burning the Canadian capital of York (Toronto), the British burned the White House and Capitol building.

defeated the British in the . The peace treaty had already been negotiated, but due to the speed of communication, it was not realized that the war was already over. Jackson became a national hero.

The , ending the war, did the following:

  • Halted the fighting

  • Returned all conquered territory to the prewar areas

  • Recognized prewar borders of the US and Canada. 

So basically, nothing was won out of the war.

The war did show that America was competent enough, allowing European nations to take America more seriously. Both Jackson and Harrison became national heroes due to their leadership roles in the military. It also stimulated manufacturing in America.

Hartford Convention 

In 1814, a group of New England Federalists gathered in Hartford, Connecticut. The purpose of the convention was to address the grievances of the Federalist Party, which was the dominant political party in New England at the time, and to consider the options available to the party in the face of what it saw as the deteriorating political and economic situation in the United States.

They recommended the following changes to the Constitution:

  • Allow secession of the states (the delegates later turned this down)

  • Require a ⅔ majority of Congress to declare war

  • New procedures on admitting new states. 

However, shortly after the convention, news spread of Jackson’s victory and the end of the war, which stamped the Federalists as unpatriotic and further weakened them.

Monroe Doctrine

The was a foreign policy statement issued by President James Monroe in 1823.

There were three key principles of the :

  • America would stay out of European wars unless directly impacted

  • European nations would not make any new colonies or attempt to take back control over former colonies in the Americas

  • America would count any European colonization attempt in the Western Hemisphere to be an “unfriendly act.”

During this period, the United States was faced with a number of challenges, including the threat of European interference in its affairs and the potential for renewed conflict with Great Britain. In order to address these challenges and to assert its independence, the United States began to develop a foreign policy that was designed to protect its interests and to promote its own expansion. As part of this effort, the United States began to assert itself as a regional power and to resist European efforts to extend their control over the Western Hemisphere.

🎥 Watch: AP US History - Era of Good Feelings

Native American Removal

was a policy that was implemented by the United States government in the 19th century. It began in the late 18th century and continued into the early 20th century, although the majority of the forced relocations took place in the 1830s and 1840s.

The policy of was implemented by the United States government as a way to open up land for white settlement and to assimilate Native Americans into mainstream American society.

was carried out through a series of federal laws and treaties, as well as through military force. It was justified by the belief that Native Americans were "savages" who were incapable of adapting to mainstream American culture and that their removal was necessary for the progress and prosperity of the nation.

The policy of had a major impact on the lives of Native Americans, as it resulted in the forced relocation of thousands of Native Americans from their ancestral lands to lands west of the Mississippi River. Many Native Americans died during the journey west, and the policy had a devastating impact on Native American cultures and communities, as it disrupted traditional ways of life and separated families and tribes.

The was a forced relocation of Native Americans that occurred in the late 1830s as part of the United States government's policy of . Thousands of Native Americans died as they were forced to move from their lands. The was a result of the , which was passed by Congress and signed into law by President . The Act called for the removal of Native Americans living in the southeastern United States to lands west of the Mississippi River.

The United States government had signed treaties with Native American tribes, including the Cherokee Nation, that promised to protect their lands and rights. The Indian Removal Act violated these treaties, as they forced Native Americans to leave their ancestral lands and to give up their rights.

In a series of cases, including (1832), the Supreme Court upheld the rights of Native Americans and recognized their sovereignty. These cases established that Native Americans had the right to their ancestral lands and that the federal government had a duty to protect these rights.

Despite the Court's ruling, Jackson refused to take action to protect the rights of the Cherokee Nation and instead supported the . In response to the Court's decision, written by Chief Justice , Jackson reportedly retorted, "Marshall has made his decision; now let him enforce it!" This policy resulted in the forced relocation of the Cherokee Nation and other Native American tribes.

Jackson's actions have been widely criticized as being unconstitutional and as violating the rights of Native Americans. His actions have been seen as a blatant disregard for the rule of law and as a troubling precedent for future presidents to follow.

Key Terms to Review (19)

Andrew Jackson

: Andrew Jackson was the seventh President of the United States (1829–1837). He is known for his strong leadership style, his role in the Indian Removal Act, and for being a symbol of the "common man."

Battle of Fort McHenry

: The Battle of Fort McHenry took place during the War of 1812 when British forces attempted but failed to capture Baltimore Harbor. It is famous because Francis Scott Key wrote "The Star-Spangled Banner" after witnessing this battle.

Battle of New Orleans

: The Battle of New Orleans was a significant battle in the War of 1812 where American forces led by General Andrew Jackson defeated British forces. It took place after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed but before news reached America.

Chesapeake Affair

: A naval engagement that occurred off the coast of Virginia in 1807 between a British warship, HMS Leopard, and the American frigate USS Chesapeake. The British demanded to board the American ship to search for deserters from their navy, which led to conflict.

Hartford Convention

: The Hartford Convention was a meeting held by New England Federalists in late 1814-early 1815 to discuss their grievances about the War of 1812 and consider secession from Union.

Impressment

: Impressment is a practice where men are forced into military service without prior notice or consent.

Indian Removal Act of 1830

: This was a law signed by President Andrew Jackson that authorized him to negotiate with southern Native American tribes for their removal westward, away from white settlements.

John Marshall

: John Marshall was the fourth Chief Justice of the United States (1801–1835). His court opinions helped lay the basis for American constitutional law and made the Supreme Court a center of power.

Monroe Doctrine

: The Monroe Doctrine was an American policy set forth in 1823 that discouraged European intervention in the Western Hemisphere.

Napoleon Bonaparte

: A French military and political leader who rose to prominence during the French Revolution. He led several successful campaigns during the French Revolutionary Wars and became Emperor in 1804, leading France against various coalitions in what are now known as the Napoleonic Wars.

Napoleonic Wars

: The Napoleonic Wars were a series of major conflicts from 1803 to 1815 between Napoleon's French Empire and various European powers formed into several coalitions.

Native American Removal

: Native American Removal refers to the forced relocation of Native American nations from their ancestral homelands in the Southeastern United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830.

Orders in Council

: The Orders in Council were decrees made by the British Crown during the Napoleonic Wars to restrict neutral countries' trade with France.

Star Spangled Banner

: The "Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States. It was written by Francis Scott Key after he witnessed the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.

The Embargo Act

: The Embargo Act was a law passed by the U.S. Congress in 1807 during Thomas Jefferson's presidency, prohibiting American ships from trading with foreign countries. It was an attempt to avoid war and protect American interests, but it ended up hurting the U.S. economy more than it did its intended targets.

Trail of Tears

: The Trail of Tears refers to the forced relocation of Native American nations from southeastern parts of the United States following the Indian Removal Act of 1830. Thousands died during this journey due to harsh conditions and disease.

Treaty of Ghent

: The Treaty of Ghent was a peace treaty that ended the War of 1812 between the United States and Great Britain. It was signed on December 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium.

War of 1812

: The War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to February 1815. It was primarily over British violations of U.S. maritime rights.

Worcester v. Georgia

: Worcester v. Georgia was a Supreme Court case in 1832 that established tribal sovereignty in the United States, stating that laws passed by U.S. states do not apply within Native American tribal territories.


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AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.


© 2024 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.

AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.