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The War of 1812
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President Madison takes Office
Tension with Britain was high when James Madison took office. Many americans were angry at Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. They were also very annoyed about the continued impressment of American sailors by the British. -
War Hawks take Power
In the year 1810, Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun became leaders in the House of Representitives. They were both very strong and powerful nationalists. These men and thier supporters were called "War Hawks". -
Relations with Great Bitain Worsen
In Spring of 1812, the British told the U.S that they would continue impressing sailors. Durring that, Native Americans in the Northwest began new attacks on frontier settlements. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
Britain refused to follow America's demand to avoid war. Durring this, Britain was still in war with France. Britain also told the U.S that they wouldn't stop imressing soldiers -
America is not Ready for War
It was absolutley clear that America wasn't ready for war with Britain. Jefferson's spending cuts had weekend American military strength. The Navy only had 16 warships ready for the big day but the army was small in general. Only 7000 men were in the army at that time. -
Britain blockades American Ports
In the early days of the war....Britain set up a blockade of the American Coast. By 1814, Britain was blockading American ports with 135 warships. By the end of the war, British were able to close off all American ports after they reinforced their navy. -
Invasion of Canada
General Issac Brock had taken advantage of General William Hull's confusion of not having enough soldiers, and surrounded Hulls army with Native American warriors and his own army. He forced Hull's army to surrender. More than 2000 American soldiers were captured by british. This was considered a serious defeat for the U.S -
USS Constitution scores a Victory
A major sea battle was faught at the begining of the war. The British warship,Guerriere, was defeated by the USS Constitution in a very fierce battle. The Cpnstitution was later nicknamed the "Old Ironsides because the artillery fire had bounced off the ships thick wooden hull. According to the Americans, it seemed like the Constituion's sides wee made out of iron. -
Second Batlle of Sacketts Harbor
British forces were transported across Lake Ontario to attempt to capture the city. The city was the principle dockyard and base for the American naval squardron on the lake. Britain were repulsed by American militia and regulars. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Also known as battle Put-In-Bay that lasted about 3 hours. Six ships belonging to Greats Britains Royal Navy were defeated and captured by nine ships belonging to the United States Navy. This battle ensured total control over the lake for the rest of the war. This now allowed Americans to retreave Detroit and win the Battle of Thames. -
Battle of Thames
While the British and their Native American allies retreated, the Americans, who were under General William Henry Harrison, chased them or pursued them. Harrison's army followed British into Canada and later defeated British in the battle called, The Battle of Thames. -
Battle of Horeshoe Bend
Native Americans also suffered another defeat in the south. Many American settlements were attacked by Creek Warriors. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. He later defeated the Creek Warriors leaving a treaty that made the warriors give up millions of acres of land. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
Lake Onterio was still frozen, British and American naval squadrons had been building two frigates each. The British Commadore, Sir James Lucas Yeo were first to finish on April 14. When America's Commadore, Isaac Chauncey, finished thier own, more powerful frigates, James Yeo's squadron would be outclassed. -
Washington, D.C Attacked and Burned
British's new strategy was to attack Washington D.C. A British force started into the city . Dolley Madison, the president's wife, gathered all of the his impotant files and ran from the White House. Fire was set to the White House and many government buildings. The Americans thought that they could defend their nations capital.......but failed. -
Battle of Plattsburg
Also know as The Battle at Lake Champlain. The battle took place not long before the Treaty of Ghent was signed. This significant battle ended the invasion of the northern states. -
Attack on Baltimore and the Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
British moved on to Baltimore after destroying Washington. They first wanted to destroy Fort McHenry, which defended the cities harbor. That night of September 13, 1814,a young American Francis Scott Key watched the whole attack and noticed that the America flag was still over the fort and hanging. The Americans won the battle of Baltimore. A poem was found on the back of an old envelope titled "The Star Spangled Banner". It was later set to music and became the National Anthem of the U.S. -
Hartford Convention
A group of Federalists met in Hartford, Conneticut. Deligates to the Hartford Convention had suggested that the New England states would withdraw from the United States. Durring which the deligates debated, news about the peace treaty was finally known. With now the knowledge of the ending of the war, the Hartford Convention ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
The war was finally ending because Britain had got tired of it. In Ghent, Belgium, peace talks had began. On Christmas Eve of 1814, Americans and Britain both signed the Treaty Ghent. It had brought thing back to normal, the way things were before the war had even started. -
Battle of New Orleans
News of the treaty took many weeks to be known in the U.S. Durring that time, the two sides faught once more. America's General, Andrew Jackson, and americans had won against British once again.
