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Chapter 5 in The Rise of American Democracy is abundant with political issues. Wilentz discusses several different aspects of this time period, but they all converge on the fact that political troubles become highly volatile and interconnected. This observation seems particularly evident throughout his discussion of Clay, Calhoun, and Randolph (70). Indeed, domestic political struggles served as a catalyst for the War of 1812 because of the conflict between the parties based on differing ideologies. Moreover, Wilentz provides a commentary on the reelection of Madison, and he specifically observes that Madison won by a slight margin. This close election further indicates the political strife of the time. Additionally, Wilentz notes that “a continuing political and spiritual revival among the displaced western Indian tribes” served as the “second key domestic factor in leading America to war” (71). Again, the political interests of the United States motivated them to engage in war with Britain. The reasoning here was that the potential “renewal of British-Indian alliances” would have posed an insurmountable force for the Americans to face (73). Thus the federal government sought to avoid future tensions with these combined powers.
Apart from the macro analysis of partisanship, Wilentz discusses the rise of certain individuals, namely two future U.S. presidents. We are first introduced to William Henry Harrison when he was “the governor of Indian Territory” (72). Later on when in conflict with Indian forces, “Harrison made a decisive strike against Prophetstown” (74). Secondly, Andrew Jackson becomes crucial in this time period, especially because he was “barely known to the citizenry before the war” (81). Wilentz comments on the many political and social factors that contributed to Jackson’s rapid and widespread popularity. In particular, Jackson enjoyed several war successes, including a “crushing military victory in two major battles with the Indians” (85). I find it fascinating that both of these future U.S. presidents are important in the War of 1812. These individuals arguably garnered enough political support from their past military participation to win the presidency.
The work of Harrison and Jackson contributed to the eventual American victory, which gave Madison a “treaty and crushing military victory” (87). In “The War of 1812 and Western Expansion,” my classmate discusses how the War of 1812 essentially rendered the Federalists obsolete. This observation finds its roots in Wilentz, who comments on the effect of the war on domestic politics. This cause and effect of the military struggle brings this post to the end of its full circle: the war escalated from political problems, produced political figures, and ultimately changed the domestic political dynamics.