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USS Constitution
Also called “Old Ironsides,” this US Naval ship surprised the world when it defeated the HMS Guerriere in waters off Bermuda on August 20, 1812.
Democratic-Republicans
Often called just the “Republicans” (although they are not connected to the later and present-day Republican Party), The Democratic-Republicans were the party of Jefferson, opposed to the Federalists and their program of strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution. The Democratic-Republicans were a major political force from 1801-1825.
Embargo
An economic sanction that prevents goods from being shipped out of one country in order to hurt the economy of another country or countries.
Embargo Act
Jefferson’s 1807 response to British activities like the Chesapeake Incident. Intended to hurt Britain and France, who were both interfering in US shipping, the Embargo Act caused economic discomfort in the US and was repealed on March 1, 1809, to be replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act.
Federalists
The political party of Alexander Hamilton, which advocated a strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution.
Fort McHenry
American island fortress that guarded Baltimore’s Harbor. In 1814, it withstood British bombardment, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the words for the Star-Spangled Banner.
Impressment
Technique the British used to staff their ships. Sailors from other countries would be captured and forced to work for the British navy in a "press-gang" crew. Though certainly a British technique, it was not as prevalent as exaggerated by American propagandists.
Macon’s Bill No. 2
Legistative ploy passed by Congress in 1810 that attempted to get either Britain or France to lift trade restrictions. Under Macon’s Bill No. 2, if one country agreed to free trade with the US, sanctions would be re-imposed against the other nation.
Non-Intercourse Act
After the repeal of the unpopular Embargo Act, this 1809 law restricted trade only with Britain and France.
Orders in Council
British laws requiring all ships wishing to trade with Europe to stop in a British port first, which was impossible under Napoleon’s Continental System.
Secession
When a state or states leaves the union based on the argument that if the union no longer represents the interests of the state, it has a right (“States Rights”) to do so as a sovereign entity.
War Hawks
Young group of politicians, representing mostly southern and western frontier states, coming to power in Congress in the 1810s. The War Hawks were tired of their fathers’ stories about “whipping the British” in the Revolution and were anxious for war themselves. Henry Clay, elected Speaker of the House, was the most visible leader of the War Hawks.
