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Both presidents [[Thomas Jefferson]] (1801-1809) and [[James Madison]] (1809-1817) favored France in the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. They were not reconciled to the fact that American trade and shipping assisted the British cause. In January 1807, the British issued "Orders in Council" to prevent neutral nations like the U.S. from trading with France. Jefferson responded with the [[Embargo of 1807]]. The embargo hurt the U.S. economy and was unpopular. After it collapsed in 1809, Madison tried other forms of economic pressure. By the middle of 1811, this strategy had reached a dead end. The president was faced with the choice of going to war or confessing failure. A military buildup was authorized in January 1812. A group of measures approved in early April were understood as preliminary to war. Madison requested war on June 1. The vote in Congress was close and the outcome in the Senate was uncertain for a time. War was declared on June 18. In May, Britain had offered to license U.S. merchant ships on the same basis that British merchant ships were licensed. In June, it had revoked the Orders in Council altogether. These concession came too late to avert war.

Both presidents [[Thomas Jefferson]] (1801-1809) and [[James Madison]] (1809-1817) favored France in the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. They were not reconciled to the fact that American trade and shipping assisted the British cause. In January 1807, the British issued "Orders in Council" to prevent neutral nations like the U.S. from trading with France. Jefferson responded with the [[Embargo of 1807]]. The embargo hurt the U.S. economy and was unpopular. After it collapsed in 1809, Madison tried other forms of economic pressure. By the middle of 1811, this strategy had reached a dead end. The president was faced with the choice of going to war or confessing failure. A military buildup was authorized in January 1812. A group of measures approved in early April were understood as preliminary to war. Madison requested war on June 1. The vote in Congress was close and the outcome in the Senate was uncertain for a time. War was declared on June 18. In May, Britain had offered to license U.S. merchant ships on the same basis that British merchant ships were licensed. In June, it had revoked the Orders in Council altogether. These concession came too late to avert war.

The war began with a disastrous U.S. invasion of Ontario led by William Hull. Hull's force surrendered and a British counteroffensive took Detroit. The Battle of the Thames in October 1813 was the turning point of the war. The fighting at sea was characterized by a tight British blockade that shut down most American shipping, together with some dramatic naval battles that added glory to the small U.S. Navy. When the Napoleonic wars ended, the British could move large forces to North America and go on the offensive. They attacked Washington, New York state, and New Orleans. All these invasions were abject failures. By late 1814, with Napoleon gone, Britain friends with France, and the Indian tribes defeated, the causes for the war had largely vanished. A treaty was agreed to that left the prewar boundaries unchanged.   

The war began with a disastrous U.S. invasion of Ontario led by William Hull. Hull's force surrendered and a British counteroffensive took Detroit. The Battle of the Thames in October 1813 was the turning point of the war. The fighting at sea was characterized by a tight British blockade that shut down most American shipping, together with some dramatic naval battles that added glory to the small U.S. Navy. When the Napoleonic Wars ended, the British could move large forces to North America and go on the offensive. They attacked Washington, New York state, and New Orleans. All these invasions were abject failures. By late 1814, with Napoleon gone, Britain friends with France, and the Indian tribes defeated, the causes for the war had largely vanished. A treaty was agreed to that left the prewar boundaries unchanged.   

At the end of the war, Americans celebrated a great victory. They called it their Second War of Independence and acclaimed General [[Andrew Jackson]] a national hero for his decisive victory at New Orleans. In Canada, anti-American and pro-British elements celebrated the repulse of an American invasion.  Just as the peace took hold, Napoleon returned and the British had to deal with him; they largely forgot about the war.

At the end of the war, Americans celebrated a great victory. They called it their Second War of Independence and acclaimed General [[Andrew Jackson]] a national hero for his decisive victory at New Orleans. In Canada, anti-American and pro-British elements celebrated the repulse of an American invasion.  Just as the peace took hold, Napoleon returned and the British had to deal with him; they largely forgot about the war.