John Randolph was sworn in as President in March of 1829. The foreign situation hadn’t cooled in the slightest and the nation was on edge. Contrary to his party’s beliefs Randolph declared in his inauguration that he would not declare war of Britain. Many prominent American Party members called him a turncoat and a Protectionist and his popularity began to decline.
The criticism of the President stopped abruptly however, when it was learned that a large contingent of the British Army was being sent to Canada with the sole purpose being to intimidate the United States. The President, realizing the gravity of the situation, sent his Secretary of State William Crawford abroad to conjure alliances with European nations. He landed in Spain where he found the government was preoccupied with the situation in their New World Colonies. France was war weary following Napoleon and refused Crawford’s advances. Prussia was staunchly pro-Britain and decried Crawford for even trying to gain an alliance with them. Prussia alerted Britain of what America was doing, much to the annoyance of America, and Crawford sped north to Russia, who seriously considered the proposals but declined on the grounds that it would give them little to gain.
In response to the United States’ attempt to create alliances with European nations, Parliament ordered all Royal Navy vessels to fire at will upon American merchant ships. Tensions escalated and in response to the orders of Parliament President John Randolph called for a surprise attack to be launched to the fleet of British ships, containing a large amount of soldiers, heading to Canada. It was a success and although America was forced to retreat, more British ships and men were killed than those of the Americans. Morale spiked and Congress declared war on Britain in July of 1830. The Americans made large gains in the midterms, owing to successes in the war.
Victory wouldn’t continue for long however, and the American Navy over extended itself. Acting on orders from President Randolph a blockade of Canada was attempted but was easily broken by the Royal Navy. The Americans were forced to retreat back south to Boston and Virginia with their morale depleted.
The sea was not to be the only battlefield in the Third War of American Independence (what leading American newspapers called the conflict). President Randolph coordinated with William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson and had each man lead an army into Canada to attack Quebec and Ontario respectively. Harrison enjoyed great success heading Northeast while Jackson got bogged down after repeated assaults by Native Americans. The British were holding their own on some level in Canada.
While much of America supported the war, there were those who vocally opposed it. Several Protectionist newspapers, primarily in New England, criticized the government and the military. The President refused to suspend habeas corpus, much to the approval of Henry Clay and John Q. Adams.
As the war dragged on the President soon came to believe that foreign policy would be the way to victory. Using the unrest of the war, people in Ireland and India began to attack British troops. Rioting was extensive in Dublin and in Delhi military bands assembled against the British East India Trading Company and British soldiers. While most European nations ignored these infant revolutions, Congress gave extensive loans to them calling the men fighting “brothers in arms”.
Another way the President hoped to tackle the British advantage was with the Russian Empire, who had been sympathetic to America since the days of Catherine the Great. A group of foreign ministers were sent to St. Petersburg and within 4 months, after extensive negotiating, Russia agreed to enter the war. Settler in Alaska launched attacks on the northern territories in Canada and helped the American “Green Battalion” which took Ft. Vancouver, make further gains.
With Russia’s entry into the war, other nations grew antsy and began to enter the conflict themselves. Prussia went to war with Russia and America and Austria went to war against Prussia and the UK. Spain and France considered their options, but largely planned on staying out of the fighting.
Election of 1832- It was in this environment the Election of 1832 approached. Both political parties (the Americans and the Protectionists) agreed to hold primaries so only 1 candidate would be nominated. (W will start in Jan 1832 with Primaries in June and the Election in Nov.) Many candidates would arise and, while polling showed the President the most favored, there was the chance for competition.
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