Tag Archives: New England

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’s Use of Newspapers Contributed to Secession Threats

 Jefferson and Madison Used Newspapers to Launch Their Party           In the Early Republic, newspapers evolved into partisan publications.    John Fenno, a journalist for the Boston Centinel, wrote a defense of the Constitution, attracting the attention of prominent Federalists.    In … Continue reading

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Why the Louisiana Purchase Angered New Englanders

Jefferson’s acquisition of the Louisiana territory disrupted the balance of power between New England and the South. The Louisiana Purchase, Jefferson’s economically crippling embargo, and his religious views caused rumblings of discontent in New England. New England was the bastion … Continue reading

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