Tag Archives: secession

Why New Englanders Opposed the War of 1812

Posted on January 19, 2013 by “Caius”

  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

Posted on January 13, 2013 by “Caius”

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

Posted on January 6, 2013 by “Caius”

  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

Posted on December 30, 2012 by “Caius”

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

Posted on December 24, 2012 by “Caius”

  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

Posted on December 16, 2012 by “Caius”

  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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How Jefferson and Madison’s Use of Newspapers Contributed to Secession Threats

Posted on December 9, 2012 by “Caius”

 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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Thundering Secession from the Pulpit

Posted on December 2, 2012 by “Caius”

Why religion played a role in threats to secede. New England differed from the rest of the country when it came to religion. The Congregationalist Church was the state-sanctioned church of Massachusetts and Connecticut. Church and state were not separate. … Continue reading →

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Why the Louisiana Purchase Angered New Englanders

Posted on November 26, 2012 by “Caius”

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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