Favoring War
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The general consensus after the Battle of Tippecanoe, at least from the settlers’ perspective, was that the British had coaxed the natives into forging a war with the United States. Conflict with the Americans had greatly increased since the war, especially as settlers moved closer and closer to the Native Americans’ lands. Congressional leaders, such as John C. Calhoun of South Carolina and Henry Clay of Kentucky, headed up a group known as the War Hawks. They favored a war with the British as a means of pushing them out of North America and ending their alliance with the natives.
Resentment towards the British grew so strong that in June of 1812, President Madison sent a message to Congress urging them to declare war against Great Britain. Madison based his plea on the fact that the British had not only encouraged the attacks by the natives but had also continued the practice of impressment. Impressment was the act of forcing people into military service. The British had been known for seizing American ships that were used as trading vessels and capturing crew members to serve in the British navy. Such advances were seen as a growing threat to the United States and served as a basis for war. Congress willingly approved Madison’s request, and the nation embarked on what became known as the War of 1812.