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Why was the Hartford Convention held in Secret?
In October 1814, the Massachusetts legislature issued a call to all
of the other New England states for a conference. (New England is a
region in the northeastern corner of the US consisting of the 6
states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode
Island, and Connecticut.) The Hartford Convention was a series of
meetings, held in secret, between December 15, 1814 and
January 5, 1815 in Hartford, Connecticut, New England.
The New England Federalists who attended the convention were
concerned at the increasing power of the Democratic Republican political party.
They met in secret because they wanted to discuss the problems faced
by New England and the possible secession of the New England states
from the union of the United States. For additional facts and info
refer to the article on the
Federalists.
Who were the Hartford Convention Delegates?
Who were the
politicians who met at the Hartford Convention in 1814? Twenty-six
New England Federalists attended the Hartford Convention from the
New England states. Seven from Connecticut, four from Rhode Island,
twelve from Massachusetts, two from New Hampshire and one from
Vermont.
What were the Grievances of the Hartford Convention?
The
grievances of the Hartford Convention Federalist delegates were
related to their discontent in relation to the power of the
Democratic-Republican Party and the southern states, decline of foreign trade and
the War of 1812 that was being waged against the British.
Grievances of the Hartford Convention - 1803 Louisiana Purchase
The Louisiana Purchase of 1803 raised
fears of New England Federalists that the new western lands would be
quickly filled with farmers, and therefore Republican voters. New
Englanders realized that the massive expansion of American territory
would inevitably reduce the influence of New England in national
affairs.
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1803 Louisiana Purchase
Grievances of the Hartford Convention - The Three-fifths Compromise
The Northern
Federalists, concerned about the rising power of the Democratic
Republican political party, also wanted to get rid of the
Three-fifths Compromise, which gave the southern slave states more
power in Congress, requiring a two-thirds
majority in Congress for the
admission of new states, declarations of war, and laws restricting
trade.
Grievances of the Hartford Convention - Anti-foreign Trade Policies
Anti-foreign trade policies
had been introduced aimed at Great Britain and France and tensions
between the British and the Americans was so great that President James Madison had
declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812 (the War of 1812).
Specific grievances of the Hartford Convention therefore related to
the: ●
1807 Embargo Act
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1809 Non-Intercourse Act
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War of 1812
(1812-1815)
The
Anti-foreign trade policies were extremely unpopular amongst
the merchants and shippers of New England. Trade with Britain lay at
the center of New England's entire economy. The declaration of
another war against the British had led to anti-war riots in the
country. The War of 1812 was dragging on and people were horrified
that the nation's capital, Washington DC, had been burned by the
British on August 14, 1814. The delegates of the Hartford Convention
believed that the national government had not done enough to protect
the coasts of New England from British naval attacks.
Hartford Convention for kids - President Madison is re-elected
The
re-election of President Madison in 1812 intensified the feelings of
the Federalists in New England. Their opposition to government
policies increased and they blocked as many measures favored by the
new government as they could. The Federalist press for New England
were advocating secession and a separate peace with Great Britain.
On top of all their existing grievances, President Madison then
asked Congress to pass a conscription bill in September 1814.
Meanwhile, Madison had sent ambassadors to Europe to discuss the
terms of a peace treaty that would bring the War of 1812 to an end.
What took place at the Hartford Convention? The Resolutions
The
delegates to the Hartford Convention discussed all of the areas of
concern and drew up a list of resolutions. There were some hot-heads
who favored extreme measures, like the secession of the New England
states from the union, but it was the moderates who prevailed in the
Hartford convention. The proposal to secede from the Union was
rejected. All other matters were discussed and a report dated
January 5, 1815 was produced detailing the recommendations and
resolutions of the Hartford Convention. The report reproached
Madison's administration and the
War of 1812. The report contained
resolutions that proposed that the taxes collected by the national
government in New England should be handed over to the New England
states to be used to arrange for their own defense.
The report went on to propose several constitutional amendments for
review by Congress that would redress the unfair advantage given to
the Southern states under the Constitution.
The Hartford Convention for kids: The Peace Treaty of Ghent
Leading Representatives from the Hartford Convention arrived at
Washington to present the report containing their resolutions to
Congress when the news came of General Andrew Jackson's victory at
New Orleans. Then the delayed news of the signing of the Peace
Treaty of Ghent arrived, announcing the end of the War of 1812.
Treaty of Ghent
Significance of the Hartford Convention
The news of Jackson's overwhelming victory and the end of
the War of 1812 was greeted with jubilation by the nation. The
Republican party of James Madison immediately regained its
popularity with the voters. The news sealed the destruction of the
Federalist party. The secrecy of the Hartford Convention discredited
the Federalists. The very contemplation of secession was seen as too
extreme and disloyal. The Federalist delegates of the Hartford
Convention found themselves branded "traitors" and the
Federalist political party was never able to regain its lost
prestige. However, the principle of States Rights, first made at the
Hartford Convention, would be repeated in the 1850s, and would
ultimately lead to the
Civil War. The demise of the Federalist Party
was politically significant. The Republicans (aka the
Democratic-Republican Party)
eventually split into the northern-dominated
Republicans and the southern-dominated Democrats and established the
political alignment of the 19th century. As there was only one
political party this led to are more stable government and heralded
the "Era of Good Feelings".
Hartford Convention
for kids
The info about the
Hartford Convention provides interesting facts and
important information about this important event that occured during the presidency of the 4th President of the United States of America.
Hartford Convention for kids - President James Madison Video
The article on the
Hartford Convention provides an overview of one of the Important
incidences in his presidential term in office. The following
James Madison video will
give you additional important facts and dates about the political events experienced by the 4th American President whose presidency spanned from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817.
Hartford Convention
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Interesting Facts about the
Hartford Convention for kids and schools
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The grievances and resolutions of the Hartford Convention
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The Hartford Convention and destruction of the Federalist Party
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James Madison Presidency from March 4, 1809 to March 4, 1817
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Fast, interesting facts about the Hartford
Convention
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Foreign & Domestic
policies of President James Madison
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James Madison Presidency and
the Hartford Convention for schools,
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