Tag Archives: Civil War

How New England Responded When the British Invaded Washington; What is the American Colonization Society?

How New England Responded When the British Invaded Washington In August 1814, British troops invaded Washington and burned the White House.  Inhabitants of Maine, under occupation, swore loyalty to Britain.  Massachusetts pulled its troops out of service to the United … Continue reading

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Secession During the War of 1812; Nullification Threats in 1832

How Mathew Carey Suggested Madison Deal with Secessionists During the War of 1812 As Madison passively ignored him, and New Englanders became bolder, Carey’s protests became more urgent.   He continued to write to Madison, even suggesting that Congress pass a … Continue reading

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Secession in Massachusetts; Nullification in South Carolina

Secession off the Coast of Massachusetts On the island of Nantucket off the coast of Massachusetts, a British gunboat patrolled the shore, cutting off supplies from the mainland. Some islanders begged for food in town.  The sea-going islanders, whalers by … Continue reading

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States’ Rights in New England and South Carolina

New England States Asserted their Rights to President Madison in 1813 By 1813, the state governments of New England were under Federalist control.   Federalists opposed the war from the beginning, and were poised to assert states’ rights to President Madison.  … Continue reading

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Why New Englanders Opposed the War of 1812

  On June 16, 1812, the British suspended their economic sanctions, but it was too late.  Two days later, well before the news reached Washington, Congress declared war on Great Britain.  Declaring war theoretically favored New England’s shipping interests:  Continuing impressment, … Continue reading

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How Napoleon Lured President Madison into a Trap

By 1806 Napoleon had conquered or formed alliances with every country that mattered on the continent.  Napoleon dominated the land; Britain dominated the sea.  Lacking the forces to invade Britain, and unable to conquer Britain’s formidable Navy, Napoleon resorted to … Continue reading

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Why Mathew Carey was Alarmed that Secession and Civil War were Imminent

  In an influential Democratic-Republican newspaper, the Aurora, William Duane favored use of federal forces in New England. Mathew Carey, alarmed that secession was imminent, read everything he could on the history of civil wars.  He found that citizens were … Continue reading

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How Jefferson and Madison Reacted to Threats of Secession

Responding to howls of protest in New England, Congress hastily passed a bill repealing the Embargo.   Jefferson signed it three days before the end of his term, on March 1, 1809.  In its place, Congress passed a Non-Intercourse Act. While … Continue reading

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How New Englanders Used Jefferson’s Arguments to Defy Him

  On June 21, 1807, the British frigate Leopard fired on the USS Chesapeake near Norfolk, Virginia.  The British killed three sailors and injured eighteen.  The British then boarded the Chesapeake impressing three Americans.   Citizens throughout the United States expressed … Continue reading

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How the Essex Junto and the River Gods Began to Threaten Secession

  To New England’s Federalists the Louisiana Purchase tipped the balance of power in favor of the South.  By the end of 1803, Massachusetts Federalists dubbed the Essex Junto were scheming to secede from the Union.  They were joined by a … Continue reading

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