AFTER THE SIGNING OF THE TREATY OF GHENT, 1814

The chief British representative is at the left. The American representatives, from left to right, are John Quincy Adams, Albert_Gallatin, Christopher Hughes, James A. Bayard, Jonathan Russell, Henry Clay. From the historical painting by Forestier, made in 1914.

Britain agreed to restore these and to accept the boundaries of 1812 between Canada and the United States.

Results of the war.-Some say that the war was worth all it cost because it was really a second war of independence, necessary to free us from foreign ill treatment, to win the respect of other nations, and to save our settlers in the Northwest from the Indians who traded with Canada and thought that they could rely on British aid. Histories used to say that the War of 1812 brought "a final separation from European affairs," but those written since the recent World War do not make such a claim. No nation that trades with the rest of the world can be separated from it.

Others point to the fact that the War of 1812 did not force Great Britain to agree to end the impressment of sailors, but that impressment came to a natural end with Napoleon's defeat because such large numbers of sailors were no longer needed for war vessels. They say that our growing strength would also have naturally won for us the respect of foreign nations without the war. They admit that the interruption of commerce on the ocean caused men to put more of their capital into manufactures during the war, but they claim that nothing could have long delayed their growth. They also argue that it takes many great advantages to offset the loss of so much human life and the infliction of so much suffering.

A great record. There is no difference of opinion about the blessings of the era of peace that followed the War of 1812. This peace between the English-speaking peoples of the world has lasted for more than one hundred years. During that time the United States and Canada have made a record unknown in the previous history of the world and not equaled in the Europe of to-day. Along the three thousand miles of border between the two countries, there is not a single fort. No man-of-war belonging to either country can be found on the Great Lakes. The money that might have been used for forts, soldiers, and navies has been employed to produce food, to build homes, and to educate the people. This record shows that two countries can rely on each other's sense of honor and love of fair play and thereby avoid the agony of war.

Close of Napoleon's career.-Americans did not expect the War of 1812 to end so soon, for Great Britain's hands had seemed to be freed when Napoleon was forced to leave France and become an exile on the island of Elba (April, 1814). But in March, 1815, three months after the treaty of Ghent, Napoleon escaped from Elba and was welcomed in France by the poorer classes and the soldiers. He placed himself at the head of the French army, and Europe was again in danger. Great Britain was then glad that she did not have an American war on her

hands. The combined British and Prussian forces, under Wellington and Blücher (blü’ker), fought and defeated Napoleon on the world-famous field of Waterloo (June, 1815).

The long European war was now soon ended. A British ship took Napoleon to the island of St. Helena, where he died six years later.

Summary of Points of Emphasis for Review.—(1) Influence of young men, (2) choice of fighting Great Britain or France, (3) what determined the choice, (4) goal of the war, (5) lack of preparation, (6) war in Canada and on the Lakes, (7) capture of Washington and attack on Baltimore, (8) war on the ocean, (9) battle of New Orleans, (10) dissatisfaction with the war, (11) treaty of peace, (12) results of the war, (13) should the war have been fought? (14) what a century's peace between the United States and Canada shows, (15) how Napoleon figured in the war, end of his career.

Activities. In three minutes tell the class whether the United States should have fought Great Britain or France.

Debate the question whether we should have fought either power (p. 260). Put yourself in the place of a Canadian of 1812 and tell whether you would have welcomed annexation to the United States.

Why were battles then fought on the Great Lakes and on Lake Champlain? Why are there no men-of-war now on these lakes?

On a map indicate by red crosses the places of American victories in the War of 1812.

Read O. W. Holmes's poem, Old Ironsides.

References for Teachers.-Fish, Development of Am. Nationality, 108126; Henry Adams, Hist. of the U. S., 1801-1817, Vols. V.-IX.; Allen Johnson, Jefferson and his Colleagues (Chron. of Am.), 189-264; Channing, Hist. of the U. S., Vol. IV.; Schurz, Henry Clay; Paine, Old Merchant Marine, Chaps. VI., VII., and Fight for a Free Sea (both in Chron. of Am.); Roosevelt, Naval War of 1812; Allen Johnson, Union and Democracy; Hart, Am. Hist. Told by Contemporaries, III., 410-433.

For Pupils. Blaisdell and Ball, Hero Stories from Am. Hist., 156-168; Roosevelt and Lodge, Hero Tales from Am. Hist., 139–147; Coffin, Building the Nation, 149-231; Beebe, Four Am. Naval Heroes, 71-130; Wright, Children's Stories of Am. Progress, 130-144; Hart, How Our Grandfathers Lived, 239-255, 274–312.

Fiction: Hale, Man Without a Country; Seawell, Little Jarvis; Altsheler, Herald of the West; Pyle, Within the Capes; Eggleston, Captain Sam.

CHAPTER XVIII

AMERICAN PROBLEMS, 1815 TO 1829

Facing the West.-From Washington's Proclamation of Neutrality (1793) between Great Britain and France until the end of the War of 1812, the country had been compelled to turn much of its attention to the East. After the War of 1812, our sailors were no longer

impressed and our ships could sail the ocean without danger from European powers.

In this new period the nation faced the West and was busy with its own problems.

FORT DEARBORN

The American System. The embargo and the War of 1812 showed how dependent on Europe the United States had been for many manufactured articles. The ending of the War of 1812 marks the beginning of a period of more complete industrial independence. The Revolution had brought independence in government but not in industry. Some have called the War of 1812 our "Second Declaration of Independence."

Built on the site of Chicago in 1803; burned in 1812; rebuilt in 1816. This drawing is from a model owned by the Chicago Historical Society.

The right-about face from European problems to home interests led to what has been called the "American System," which consisted in (1) protection to American manufactures and industries, and (2) the development of internal improvements, such as roads and canals. The object of the American System

was the development of the United States into a great, selfreliant nation, industrially as well as politically independent of foreign powers.

The rapid settlement of the West and the interest shown in keeping the American continent free for the development of Americans were different expressions of the American System. Henry Clay of Kentucky was the greatest champion of this "System." In Congress he argued against neglecting a single American interest, no matter whether it was "agricultural, commercial, or manufacturing."

The administrations of James Monroe (1817-1825) and John Quincy Adams (1825-1829) covered the twelve years after Madison retired from the presidency, and helped solve the new problems of the American System.

James Monroe elected President.-Madison followed the example of Washington and Jefferson and declined nomination for a third term. James Monroe was elected in 1816 by a large majority over his Federalist opponent. Like Washington, Jefferson, and Madison, he was a Virginian..

Monroe had served in the Revolutionary War and was wounded while leading the advance at Trenton (p. 191). Washington had appointed him minister to France, but had to recall him for showing too much partiality to the French. When Jefferson became President, Monroe was sent back to France, where he assisted in making the Louisiana Purchase (p. 249). He was next appointed minister to Great Britain and later became Madison's Secretary of State. People then thought that a President should have the experience that fitted him for such a high office, and they felt that Monroe had earned the presidency.

Monroe was able to make friends, even of people who had real or fancied grievances. His first administration was known as "the era of good feeling." When he was elected for a second term, he had no opponent. He then received the vote of every elector except one.