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| 1810, May 1 |
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| Macon's Bill No. 2 repealed all restrictions on trade with the warring powers and provided that if either should remove its restrictions on American trade, the president should renew nonintercourse with the other. Napoleon announced revocation of the Berlin and Milan decrees, effective on Nov. 1, whereupon Madison, on Nov. 2, proclaimed the renewal of nonintercourse with Britain within 90 days. Still, Napoleon continued to seize American ships. | 1 |
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| 1810–11 |
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| Rise of the war party. The election of 1810 brought to power younger men, especially from the West, commonly known as the War Hawks, who were especially aroused by the opposition of the Indians, led by Tecumseh, to the advance of white settlement in the Northwest. In Nov. 1811 occurred the Battle of Tippecanoe, which made William Henry Harrison (1773–1841) a hero in the eyes of the frontiersmen. More and more, the West became convinced that British aid and encouragement from Canada stiffened the Indian opposition. The result was a growing demand for war with Britain and the conquest of Canada. Reading the lesson of the election of 1810, Madison adopted a firmer tone toward Britain. | 2 |
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| 1812, April |
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| Ninety-day embargo to ensure that American ships would be safely in port when war with Britain began. | 3 |
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| June 18 |
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| War was declared on Britain, on the grounds of impressment, violation of the three-mile limit, paper blockade, and orders in council. | 4 |
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