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The War of 1812
Lauren Samson
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President Madison takes office
President Madison's inaguration was held on March 4, 1809 at the White House in Washington DC.Tensions were high in the states, and citizens were literally screaming war because of Britian's actions. Madison, like the presidents before him, wanted the country to stay neutral. But that was going to be hard to do. -
War Hawks Take Power
In the time of Madison's Presidency, people who wanted war with Britian were called war hawks. Two very strong political war hawks were Henery Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhan of South Carolina. Both became leaders in the House of Representatives.Congress later declared war in Britian in June 1812.( Congress is made up of the Senate and the House of Representatives.) -
Relations with Great Britian Worsen
Britian told the United states that they would continue impressing American sailors.Britian was also arming natives.These Natives were attacking American settlers, making the government. When American asked Britian to respect their wishes to stay neutral, Britian told America that they would not meet the demands for America to stay neutral. -
Congress Declares War on Britian
Congress finally declares war on Britian.Going against the other Presidents wishes of being neutral,the war bill was passed. After all that ship seizing, sailor impressing, and high tensions, war could not be avoided. -
America is not Ready for War
The Americans thought they would win the war easily, but the country was completly unprepared. From Jefferson's cuts, there were only 16 Navy warships waiting and ready to fight. The military only consisted of about 7000 men. The country was starting to regret Jefferson's cuts. -
Britian Blockades American Ports
In the first days of the new war,Britian's navy set up a blockade. America was not strong enough to defeat the blockade, so it quickly became a problem.By the year of 1814, Britian's navy had 135 ships blocking U.S. ports.By reinforcing their ships,Britian had successfully shut off all U.S. ports by the end of the war. -
Invasion of Canada
Before the war had begun, the war hawks had been wanting to invade Canada.The war hawks figured Canadians would like to get rid of Britian's rule over them.The American forces under General William Hull invaded Canada.Hull had few men, and was very unsure of himself. Meanwhile, British Commander General Issac Brock took advantage of Hull's confusion, and surrounded the American forces.Hull surrendered.The British captured more tha 2,000 soldiers, making this a very serious defeat for America. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
The USS Constition won an amazing sea battle against British ship HMS Guerriere. For almost an hour, the two ships continuely closed in on each other.The USS Constitution fired a barrage that took out both of the opposing ship's masts. Cannonballs bounced of of the USS Constitution's hull, unharmingly.Americans said that the Constitution's hull was just as hard as iron. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Both America and Britian knew that controlling Lake Erie would be a big part of sucess because it is an important shipping route.The forces met, and a three hour battle took place in the western part of the lake.The American flagship was badly damaged during this battle.The Commander commanding the ship, Oliver Hazzard Perry,switched to a different ship and fought until the battle was won.Perry triumphently announced his victory by saying:"We have met the enemy, and they are ours." -
Battle of Thames
As the British and their native american allies retreated,the American forces followed them in pursuit.The American forces were under General William Henry Harrison.The American forces caught the British in Canada, and defeated them.Many were killed, including Shawnee war cheif Tecumseh. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
General Andrew Jackson took control of the American forces in Georgia. He then proceeded to go out into the west with his forces.Facing the Native American Creek tribe, he won. Losing this battle was bad for the Creeks, because they were then forced to give up millions of acres of land. -
Washington, D.C Attacked and Burned
Britian's new strategy after defeating France was to attack the American capitol, Washington D.C. On this fateful day,the British marched into Washington D.C.The troops made their way to the White House and other government buildings.The British then proceded to burn these buildings to the ground.The American public later was astonished to learn that the American army could not defend Washington D.C. -
Attack on Baltimore
After attacking Washington D.C, the British marched to Baltimore,Maryland.Their place to attack: Fort Mc Henry.Fort Mc Henry defended the Baltimore harbor.British warships attacked and bombed the fort throughout the night. -
Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
During the bombing of Fort Mc Henry,a young American named Francis Scott Key witnessed the event.At dawn, he saw the American flag still flying over the fort.This inspired him to write the Star Spangled Banner.He wrote the to be national anthem on the back of an envelope.In 1931, the Star Spangled Banner was made America's national anthem. -
Hartford Convention
As the war went on,New England trade decreased dramadically.Some northern delegates wanted to get together to talk about the trade problems.The meeting of the northern delegates occured in Hartford, Conneticut, on December 15, 1814.The delegates spoke about having the northern states secede.The states almost did secede. During the meeting, news of the new peace treaty arrived. The convention was quickly ended after that. -
Treaty of Ghent
Finallly in 1814, Britian was done fighting the war.The beginning of a peace treaty started in Ghent,Belgium. On the day of December 24, 1814, the peace treaty was signed, ending the war. The news of the new peace treaty did not reach the United States until almost a week later.Until the news reached the US, the Battle of New Orleans was fought, and the New England States had a convention about seceding from America. -
Battle of New Orleans
News of the new peace treaty took weeks or more to reach the United States.During that time,Britian and America clashed once again.In New Orleans,America won over Britian in January,1815.The American forces were led by Genral Andrew Jackson.
