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Tensions with Britain were very high when Madison became president. Americans were mad at Britain for arming Native Americans. Most Americans thought the country's honor was at stake.
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In this year, Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun became leaders in the House of Representatives. Having a chance of war with other countires was strongest in New England. New Englanders thought war with Britain would harm American trade.
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Relations with Great Britain worsened in 1812. The British told the United States they would continue impressing sailors. Native Americans in the Northwest began attacks on frontier settlements. Congress declared war with Britain in June.
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A sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. In August 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the British warship. In the American's point of view, it was like the Constitution was made of iron.
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When the war began, America was confident they would win. Jefferson's spending cuts had weakened American military strenghth.The navy only had 16 warships that were ready. The army was also too small with only 7,000 men.
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In the first days of war, the British set up a blockade of the American coast. The British navy set up 135 warships blockading American ports by 1814. By the end of the battle the British were able to block off all American ports.
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War hawks were demanding invsion on Canada. American troops invaded Canada from Detroit in July of 1812. Thinking he didnt have enough troops, General William Hull retreated.
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On August 1812, a major sea battle was fought. The USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. British shot fire that bounced off the ship. It seemed as if the Constitution was made of iron.
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The British force was transported across Lake Ontario. They attempted to capture the town. They were repulsed by American regulars and militia.
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American forces had better luck on Lake Erie. A 3 hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay. The Americans flagship was damaged. They switched ships. The fight was won by the Americans.
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British and their Native American allies retreated. The Americans followed the British to Canada. Defeating them in the Battle of Thames.
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Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. 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.
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The Battle of Fort Oswego was a little successful. British raid on an American fort. There were 200 sailors armed with boardering pikes. A British account officer said 1 officer and 20 enlisted men of the Americans were found dead.
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The new strategy for the British was to attack the nation's capital. A British army marched in the city in 1814. Dolley Madison, the president's wife, gathered up important paper work and went to the white house. British set fire on government buildings including the white house.
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This battle ended the final invasion of the Northern states. The battle took place shortly after the Treaty of Ghent. The American victory denied the British negotiators at Ghent leverage to demand any territorial claims against the United States.
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British warships bombarded Fort McHenry throughout the night of September 13, 1814. The Americans had won the attack. Francis Scott Key watch the Americans win. Key had written the "Star Spangled Banner" to describe the night of the attack.
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On Christmas eve, two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war. New of the treaty had taken several weeks to get to the Untied States.
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A group of Federalists met in Hartford. Some delegates of the Hartford Convention suggested that the New England states secede. While the delegates discussed, news of the peace treaty came. With the war now over, the Hartford Convention was now ended.
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In the time that the treaty took to get to the United States, two sides fought in one more battle. American forces won a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. Under General Andrew Jackson.
