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The War of 1812
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President Madison takes office
At this point in time, tensions between Britain and the U.S. were very high. The Americans were angry at the British for arming the Native Americans, and the continuous impressment attacks. Many thought that American honor was at stake. Madison came into office at a presumably bad time. -
War Hawks Take Power
Henry Clay, and John C. Calhoun became leaders in the House of Representatives. Both from the south and both "war hawks". This new promotion gave them the opportunity to go into war with Britain. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
Britain threatened to continue the impressment attacks on the American ships and sailors, which would harm their trade. Though, many New Englanders believed that war with Britain would harm U.S. trade anyway. While the Native Americans began attacking the new settlers on the frontier. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
Finally, after all the arguements and resistance, Congress declared war on Britain. Many people protested against it, even though most of them new it was neccessary. If not, Britain would continue impressing, and Native Americans would keep on attacking, and nothing would get done. -
America is not Ready for War
The previous president (Jefferson) had made spending cuts to weaken the government and put the people in power. This had weakened their military, navy, and army. But Madison realized this only after they had declared war. -
Invasion of Canada
General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. Though he was unsure of himself, he feared that his soldiers were weak and believed that he didn't have enough. He retreated. And the British took advantage of his confusion. General Isaac Brock and his army surrounded Hull and captured him and his soldiers. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the beginning of the war, Britain blockaded the American Coast. The British had 135 warships by 1814. All ports were closed by war's end. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
The USS Constitution defeated the British warship "Geuriere" in a rough battle. American sailors nicknamed their ship "Old Ironsides" because when the British shot at the ship, it bounced right off its wooden hull. Many believed it was made of iron. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Americans had better luck at Lake Erie. American Commander Oliver Hazard Perry's ship was badly damaged, so he switched ships and continued fighting until he won. "We have met the enemy and they are ours" he said after his victory. -
Battle of Thames
As British and American troops retreated, Generl William Henry Harrison pursued them. His troops followed them into Canada and defeated them in the Battle of Thames. Tecumseh was among those who were killed. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
In the south, Creek warriors attacked a few American settlers in the new frontier. Andrew Jackson led his troops to Georgia. Then, at Horseshoe Bend, he and his army defeated the NA's and gained much land. -
Washington, D.C Attacked and Burned
The British had devised a plan. This plan was to attack the capitol (Washington D.C). So they marched into the city and burned down several government buildings, including the White House. This caused chaos, frustration, and confusion...just what the British wanted. -
Attack on Baltimore
After burning down Washington D.C, the British moved on to Baltimore, and more specificallly, Fort McHenry, which defended the city's harbor. They fired cannons and guns at the city throughout the night. But by dawn, the Americans had beaten off the attack. -
Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key had been watching the attack at Fort McHenry, and he wrote down what he saw on the back of an old envelope. The poem became a music piece. In 1931, Congress declared it to be the national anthem of the U.S. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention, was a group of Federalists who met in Hartford, Conneticut.Some delegates thought that their best option was to secede from the U.S. Though, America had sent a peace treaty, and the convention ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
Birtain was tired of war at this point. In Ghent, Belgium, peace talks began. On Christmas Eve, the two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent, this ended the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
The Treaty of Ghent had already ended the war, but the two sides were already in a battle at the time; they continued on. And the Americans prevailed as victors.
