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The war of 1812
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President Madison takes office
President James Madison took office in 1809. Americans were angry with Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. Americans also resented the continued impressment of American sailors by the British. -
War Hawks Take Power
To most Americans the countrys honor was at stake. They felt a new sense of American nationalism or pride in ones country. Clay Calhoun and their supporters were known as war hawks or those who are eager for war. -
Relations with Great Britian Worsen
Relations with britain worsened steadily in the early months of 1812. In the spring the British told the United States they would continue the impressment of there sailors. Meanwhile, Native Americans in the Northwest began new attacks on frontier settlements. -
Congress Declares War on Britian
The war didn't come at a good time for the British, who were still at war in Europe. However, Britain was not willing to meet American demands to avoid war. Providing Native Americans with support was one way of protecting Canada against an American invasion. -
America is not Ready for War
When the war began,Americans were confident they would win. It soon became apparent that the United States was not ready for war.The navy only had 16 warships ready for action and fewer than 7000 men. -
Britian Blockades American Ports
In the first days of war, the British set up a blockade is the action of shutting down a port or road to prevent people or supplies from leaving or entering the area.By 1814 the British navy had 135 warships blocking American ports. A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. -
Invasion of Canada
Even before the war began war hawks were demanding an invasion of Canada. They expected The Canadians to welcome the chance to throw off British rule. In July 1812,American troops under General William Hull invaded Canada from Detriot -
USS Constitution scores a victory
In the most famous sea battle of the War of 1812, the USS Constitution engaged the British frigate Guerriere in the North Atlantic Ocean. Sailors nicknamed the Constitution " Old Ironsides. To the americans it seemed the ship was made of iron. -
Second Battle of Sackets Harbor
A British force was transported across Lake Ontario to try and capture a town. It was a dockyard and naval squadron on the lake. They were repulsed by American regulars and miltia. -
Battle of Lake Erie
A three hour battle took place at Put in Bay. During the battle the American flagship was badly damaged. he commander Oliver Hazard Perry swithced to another ship and continued the fight till it was won. -
Battle of Thames
British were forced to leave Detriot and retreat back to Canada. Americans under General William Henry Harrison pursed them. Tecumseh was killed during the battle of Thames. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Native americans also faced defeat in the south. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia and defeated the creeks in the battle of Horseshoe bend. The treaty forcd the creeks to give up millions of acres of land. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
During the early months of 1814 Lake Ontario was frozen. The British and American naval squadrons began building to frigates. The British were first to cmplete there frigates on April 14. -
Washington,D.C Attacked and Burned
The new British stagety was to attack the nation's capital, Washington D.C. In August 1814, a British force marched in the city. Dolley madison the presidents wife gathered up the presidents important papers and fled the White House. Americans were shocked there army could not defend Washington. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
The battle of Plattsburg ended the invasion of northern states during the war of 1812. A British army under General George Prevost and Captain George Downie attacked on the lakeside town of Plattsburg. Downie was killed on September 11 of 1814. -
Attack on Baltimore and the Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
The British now mowved onto Baltimore. Their first bjective was Fort McHenry,which defended the citys harbor. At dawn after the battle took place Francis Scott Key saw the American flag still standing, on the baxk of an envelope he wrote a poem that he called "The Star Spangled Banner". -
Hartford Convention
In December of 1814 a group of Federalists met in Hartford Connecticut. Some delgates suggested that the NewEngland states secede or withdraw from the United States. With the war over the Hartford convention quickly ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
Peace talks began in Ghent Belguim. On Christmas Eve 1814, the two sides signed the treaty of Ghent, which ended the war. The treaty returned things the way they were before the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
news of the treaty took several weeks to reach the United States. In that time he two sides fought one more battle . In January 1815, American forces under General Andrew Jackson won a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans.
