Hartford Convention was a meeting of New England delegates during the War of 1812 to discuss their opposition to the war and to other United States government policies. The meeting took place in Hartford, Conn., from Dec. 15, 1814, to Jan. 5, 1815.
The main opposition to the war came from members of the Federalist Party in New England. They objected to the ruin of New England’s shipping trade by the war, and they did not want to help France by fighting Britain. The Federalists generally opposed France in international disputes.
In 1814, the Massachusetts legislature called a meeting of New England states to discuss their problems. Most of the 26 delegates came from Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. Some people feared that New England would withdraw from the Union and make a separate peace with Britain. Their fears increased because the Hartford Convention met in secret, but the delegates decided on less drastic action.
The delegates issued a report urging that each New England state be given more control over its own military defense. The report also proposed amendments to the United States Constitution to make it harder for the government to make war or restrict trade. In addition, the delegates recommended amendments to reduce the influence of the South in the government.
The Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812, was signed while the Hartford Convention met. Nevertheless, Federalist opposition to the war, as shown by the convention, helped destroy the party.
