War of 1812: Contrasting Perspectives

Target: I can explain the arguments for and against the War of 1812 by analyzing two competing primary source speeches.

Key Vocabulary

• War of 1812: A war between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815.

• War Hawks: A group of young congressmen who strongly pushed for war against Great Britain.

• Federalists: A political party that was strong in New England and opposed the War of 1812, favoring trade with Britain.

• Impressment: The British practice of capturing American sailors and forcing them to serve in the British navy.

• Agrarian Cupidity: A phrase meaning a greedy desire for more farmland.

• Maritime Rights: A country's rights to freely use the oceans for trade and travel without interference.

Part 1: Do Now (5 minutes) Directions: Read the prompt below and write a 2-3 sentence response. Prompt: When is it acceptable for a country to declare war? Give one example of a good reason and one example of a bad reason.

Part 2: Analyzing the Sources

Directions: Read the two speeches below. One is from a "War Hawk" who wants war, and the other is from a "Federalist" who is against it. Then, answer the questions that follow.

Document 1: Rep. Felix Grundy (War Hawk from Tennessee), December 1811

Original Text	Simplified Meaning
"What, Mr. Speaker, are we now called on to decide? It is, whether we will resist by force the attempt, made by that Government [Great Britain], to subject our maritime rights to the arbitrary and capricious rule of her will..."	"What is the decision we have to make? It is whether we will fight back against Great Britain for violating our rights at sea just because they feel like it..."
"This war, if carried on successfully, will have its advantages. We shall drive the British from our Continent - they will no longer have an opportunity of intriguing with our Indian neighbors... I am willing to receive the Canadians as adopted brethren..."	"A successful war has its benefits. We will kick the British out of North America for good. They won't be able to stir up trouble with the Native American tribes anymore... I am happy to make the Canadians our new brothers."

Document 2: Rep. John Randolph (Federalist from Virginia), December 1811

Original Text	Simplified Meaning
"Sir, if you go to war it will not be for the protection of maritime rights. Agrarian cupidity, not maritime right, urges the war."	"Sir, don't be fooled. If we go to war, it won't be to protect our rights at sea. A greedy desire for more land is the real reason for this war."
"We have heard but one word - like the whip-poor-will, but one eternal monotonous tone - Canada! Canada! Canada! I am not surprised to hear men advocate these wild opinions, for there is a fatality, a madness, in fools and scoundrels, which will dare to brave the feelings of this nation."	"All I hear is one single, annoying word, over and over again—Canada! Canada! Canada! It doesn't surprise me to hear people pushing for these crazy ideas. There is a madness in these fools who ignore the true feelings of our country."

Think-Ink-Pair-Share

Directions: Answer questions 1-2 on your own.

Then, work with a partner to answer question 3.

1. According to the War Hawk Felix Grundy, what are two reasons to go to war with Great Britain?

   
   

   Sentence Starter: Grundy argues for war because Britain is violating America's... and because a war would allow the U.S. to...

   
   

2. According to the Federalist John Randolph, what is the real reason the War Hawks want to go to war?

   
   

   Sentence Starter: Randolph claims the real motivation for the war is not about rights, but is actually about...

   
   

3. (Work with your partner) Whose argument is more convincing?

   Was the War of 1812 a war for American honor and rights, or a war of greed for more land?

   
   

   Sentence Starter: I believe... had the more convincing argument because... The other side's argument was weaker because...

   
   

Part 3: Exit Ticket (5 minutes) Prompt: Who had the more persuasive argument: the War Hawk who wanted war for national honor, or the Federalist who saw it as a war for greed? Why? WRITE 5-6 COMPLETE SENTENCES