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Napoleonic Wars
These were fights that occurred mainly between Britain and France from 1803 to November 21st 1815. However, their fighting affected the U.S too. Both countries attempted to stop American trade. -
Madison's Letter To Monroe
Secretary of State, James Madison, wrote a public letter to James Monroe on the impressment of American sailors by the British Royal Navy. -
The Battle Of Trafalgar
The British crushed the French navy. Napoleon made Europe unable to trade with Britain. Whereas, Britain forces all incoming vessels stop at British ports through their blockade. -
Continental System
Napoleon issued the “Continental System” which was a blockade designed to paralyze Great Britain through the destruction of commerce, due to the fact that France could no longer challenge the British at sea. The decrees were at Berlin (November 21, 1806) and Milan (December 17, 1807) and stated that neutrals and French allies weren’t able to trade with the British. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Incident
The American ship, Chesapeake, was forced to surrender by the British ship, Leopard, and the British impressed four men from the crew. -
Orders In Council
Britain replied to the Continental System by establishing - through a series of “Orders In Council” made by the Privy Council of the UK. This was a blockade on the European coast that stated any goods being shipped to Napoleon’s Europe must be carried either in British vessels or neutral vessels stopping at British ports - what Napoleon’s policies forbade. -
Embargo Act
Stopped all American ships from leaving for foreign ports, effectively stopping international trade. It was often evaded, but created a large depression in the U.S. -
Non-Intercourse Act
Reopened trade with all countries but Britain and France. -
Macon's Bill Number 2
Reopened trade with Britain and France, as long as they stopped messing with American ships. The French did this almost immediately, however Britain’s reply came too late to stop a war from occurring. -
Congressional Elections
A large number of representatives of both parties were eager for war and they became known as “war hawks”. Two important “war hawks” were Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina - together they formed a coalition in favor of war. -
Battle Of Tippecanoe
William Henry Harrison camped near Prophetstown and arranged to meet with Tenskwatawa, a spiritual leader, however early in the morning warriors from Prophetstown attacked his troops. They held their ground for 2 hours and the Indians eventually fled which led to Harrison burning Prophetstown to the ground. This also led to Tecumseh declaring and alliance with the British. -
War Of 1812 Begins
The War of 1812 begins with declarations of war from both the U.S and Britain. -
Clay Approves
Henry Clay approves war declaration against Britain. -
Battle Of Fort Mackinac
Small U.S garrison under Lieutenant Porter manned Fort Mackinac. Porter feared that the Native American and British forces would massacre his men and allies so he accepted the British offer of a surrender. The British then paroled the American forces. -
Battle Of Fort Dearborn
Engagement between US and Potawatomi Native Americans. Followed the evacuation of the fort as ordered by William Hull, commander of the US Army of the Northwest. Battle lasted 15 minutes and was a complete victory for the Native Americans resulting in Fort Dearborn being burned down. -
Siege Of Detroit
British force under Major General Isaac Brock allied with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh used a bluff in order to intimidate American Brigadier General William Hull into surrendering the fort and town of Detroit. This took place August 15th through 16th. -
Battle Of Frenchtown
Battle from January 18th to the 23rd in 1813. Series of conflicts between the US and a British and Native American alliance near the River Raisin in Frenchtown, Michigan Territory. The battle on January 22 had the highest number of fatalities of any battle during this war. -
Americans Take Command of Lake Ontario
Americans take command of Lake Ontario, which allowed them to raid and burn York (now Toronto), the capital of Canada. -
Battle Of Stoney Creek
British unites made a night attack on an American encampment and succeeded in the capture of two senior officers. The battle was a victory for the British and a turning point in the defense of Upper Canada. -
Battle At Fort Mims
Creek Indians belonging to the “Red Sticks” faction under the command of Peter McQueen and William Weatherford (Lamochatte - Red Eagle), stormed Fort Mims and defeated the militia garrison. Afterward the Indians killed all the other white settlers and militia at the fort. -
Battle Of Lake Erie (Put-In-Bay)
Fought at Lake Erie by Oliver Hazard Perry, it allowed Americans to take control of the Lake and launch further invasions into Canada. -
Battle Of Thames
In the west, William Henry Harrison won a battle in which Tecumseh was killed. This reduced the motivation of Native Americans to defend their lands in the future. -
Battle of the Chateauguay
4,000 troops under General Wade Hampton marched toward Montreal. A US advance party of 1,500 under Colonel Robert Purdy attacked 460 British troops under Colonel Charles de Salaberry at Chateauguay, resulting in a British victory. After this setback Hampton withdrew back across the border. -
Battle Of Talladega
Jackson’s army arrived outside Talladega and the Red Sticks faction inflicted 17 casualties on upon Jackson. Jackson inflicted 299 casualties on the Red Sticks and drove them from the field. -
Battle Of Horseshoe Bend
Andrew Jackson in the Southwest slaughtered the Indians. As a result, the Indians ceded lots of land to the United States. -
Battle of Lacolle Mills
A small garrison of a British outpost position, aided by reinforcements, fought off a large American attack. -
Napoleon Surrenders
Napoleon surrenders after defeat in the Battle of Paris. This means he had to abdicate the throne and go into exile. -
Battle of Chippawa
Invasion of Upper Canada along the Niagara River where US Infantry under Brigadier General winfield Scott defeated the British force commanded by Major General Phineas Riall. -
Battle of Lundy’s Lane (Battle Of Niagara Falls)
One of the bloodiest battles in the war which was a draw but a British strategic victory because of heavy American losses. Major Jacob Brown launched an attack and captured the Fort Erie. -
Battle of Mackinac Island
British Colonel McDougall killed 13 Americans including Major Holmes and 2 other officers which led to his capture of the Mackinac Islands. The British would then control these islands throughout the rest of the War of 1812. -
Burning In Washington D.C
British landed troops outside the capital, easily swept aside the American resistance, and burned several public buildings in retaliation for the burning of the Canadian capital York. -
Battle of Plattsburgh (Battle of Lake Champlain)
A battle lasting September 6th through 11th of 1814. Ended the final invasion of the northern states of the US. British. British army leaders George Prevost and George Downie converged on the lakeside town of Plattsburgh that was defended by US troops under General Alexander Macomb. The British attacked and Downie was killed which resulted in Prevost abandoning the attack. This occurred at the same time as American and British delegates meeting at Ghent to negotiate a peace treaty. -
Siege Of Fort McHenry
Heavily guarded fortress that came under siege by the British after they sacked Washington DC. Francis Scott Key wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” while he was watching the battle. -
First Attack On Fort Bowyer
Attack lasting September 14th through 16th in 1814. The first British attack, that failed, against US Fort Bowyer located near the mouth of Mobile Bay. The British failure led to them changing their strategy and attacking New Orleans. -
Battle Of Pensacola
Battle lasting the 7th through the 9th of November 1814. American forces fought against small forces from the kingdoms of Britain and Spain, with the Creek Native Americans allied with the British. General Andrew Jackson led his forces against British infantry at the city of Pensacola. The British abandoned the city and it was later surrendered to Jackson by the Spanish. -
Battle of Lake Borgne
An American flotilla commanded by Lieutenant Thomas Catesby Jones prevented British Admiral Sir Alexander Cochrane from gaining access to the lake. While the British had more casualties they captured 86 American soldiers and were then able to freely navigate Lake Borgne. -
Night Attack Of December 23
British commander Keane and his forces decided to encamp at Lacoste’s Plantation instead of attacking the city of New Orleans. Andrew Jackson learned of this and said “By the Eternal they shall not sleep on our soil”. The intel was provided by Colonel Thomas Hind’s squadron. Both sides suffered near equal loses but this was considered a British tactical victory as they were able to maintain their position. -
Treaty Of Ghent
The peace treaty between the US and the UK that ended the War of 1812. The treaty restored relations between the two nations to status quo ante bellum (this is latin for the state before the war). The Treaty was approved by the UK parliament and signed into law by the Prince Regent, the future King George IV on December 30, 1814. The Treaty wasn’t fully in effect until it was ratified by the US Senate unanimously on February 17, 1815. -
Battle Of New Orleans
Battle lasting from the 8th to the 18th of January. It was the final major battle in the war of 1812. American forces under General Andrew Jackson prevented an overwhelming British force that was commanded by Admiral Alexander Cochrane and General Edward Pakenham. Jackson prevented the British from seizing New Orlean and the vast territory the US had acquired with the Louisiana Purchase. -
Second Attack On Fort Bowyer
An attack lasting from the 7th to the 12th of February. Second attack against Fort Bowyer following the British defeat at the Battle of New Orleans. The Treaty of Ghent had been signed at the time, however news of it had not yet reached that part of America.
