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The War of 1812
Hannah Wise
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President Madison takes office
James Madison served as a president for 8 years. He is a democratic republican, and was elected from Virginia. The Vice presidents included George Cliton and Elbridge Gerry. And now tension has raised as Madison takes office. -
War Hawks Take Power
In 1810, nationalists Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, became leaders in the House of Representatives. Clay and Calhoun along with their supporters were called War hawks. They were both important in thiss time period because they both played a significant role in leading the nation to war in the war of 1812. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
During the early months of 1812 relations with Britain worsen. Britain told the United States they would continue impressing sailors. In the Northeast frontier settlements Native Americans began new attacks, and finally June 1812, Congress declared war on Britain. The British were not perpared, as they were still at war in Europe. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
When Congress declared war on Britain they were not perpared. However Britain was not willing to meet American demands to avoid war. When war offically began Americans were confident they would win, but it soon came obvious Americans were not perpared either. Jeffersons cuts had weekend the militaries strength. The first few days of war, the British had set up a Blockade of the American coast. -
America is not Ready for war
Early in the war America noticed that they also were not perpared, since Jeffersons cuts had weakend the military. The navy had only 16 warships ready for action. The army was also small, with fewer than 7,000 men. After the British set up a blockade they also were able to close off all American ports by war's end. -
Invasion of Canada
Even before war began war hawks demanded an invasion of Canada. July 1812 American troops under General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. He feared he didnt have enough soldiers, he soon retreated. The British captured more than 2000 American soldiers. This was a serious defeat for the United States. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
First few days into the war the british set up a blockade of the American coast. In 1814 the British navy had 135 warships blockading American ports. After reinforcing their troops thee British were able to close off all American ports. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
August 1812 the USS Constitution defeated the British warship Gurriere in a tough battle. According to old traditions the Constitution was nickknamed "Old Ironsides" because British artillery fire bounced off ship's thick wooden hull. To Americans it seemed as if the Constitution was made of iron. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Both sides knew of the importance of controlling the lake. A key three-hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay, in the western part of the lake, in 1813. During this battle, the American flagship was badly damaged. The American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry switched to another ship and continued the fight until it was won. Perry announced his victory with a dramatic message; We have met the enemy and they are ours" With Americans having control of the lake, the British were forced to leave Detroit -
Battle of Thames
As the Britissh and their Native American allies rereated, the Americans under General William Henery Harrison pursued them. They followed the British to Canada, beating them in the battle of Themes. Tecumseh was among those killed in the battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Summer 1813, creek warriors attacked various southern American settlements. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. March 1814, Jackson defeated the creeks at the battle of Horseshoe Bend, The treaty that ended the fighting forced the creeks to give up millions of acres of land. -
Washing, D.C Attacked & Burned
August 1814 a British force marched into the city. Dolley Mdison, the president's wife gathered up the president's inportant papers and fled the White House. Americans were shocked to see that their army couldnt defend Wahington. -
Attack on Baltimore
When the British moved on to Baltimore thier first objective was Fort McHenry, which defended the cities harbor. British wasrships gathered around the fort the night of 9-13-1814. Francis Scott Key, watched the attack. At dawn Key watched the attack. -
The witing of the Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key wrote a poem on a back of an envolope called "The Star-Spangled-Banner". It told the story of his night's watch. In 1901 congress had desided to make this the Nation Anthem of the United States. -
Hartford Convention
In December 1814 a group of Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut. Some suggested that the New England states sede from the United States. While others debated, news of the peace treaty arrived. With the war over, the Hartford convention ended quickly. -
Treaty of Ghent
By 1814 Britain had tired of war. Peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium. On christmas eve 1814 the two sides signed the treaty of Ghent, which had ended the war. This treaty relived all tension and brought things back to normal. -
Battle of New Orleans
News on the treaty took several weeks to reach the United States. In January 1815, American forces under General Andrew Jackson. Jackson had won a stunning victory over thr British at the battle of New Orleans
