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The War of 1812
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President Madison Takes Office
Americans were angry at Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. Americans also resented the continued impressment of sailors. The countries honor was going to be at stake. The people felt a new sense of nationalsim. -
War Hawks Take Power
Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Callhoun of South Carolina became members in the House of Representatives. Clay, Callhoun and supporters were War Hawks, those who were eager for war with Britain. Opposers of the war did not want to hurt American trade -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
In Spring, the British told the US they would continue impressing sailors. Native Americans in the northwest began attacks on Frontier settlements. Tensions for war was rising, -
Congress Declares War on Britain
In June Congress declared war on Britain. The war did not come at a good time for the British who weere still at war in Europe. However, Britain was not willing to meet American demands to avoid war. -
America is not Ready For War
The United States was not prepared for war even though they thought they would win. Jeffersons cuts weakened the military's strength. The Navy only had 16 warships ready for battle and the army had fewer than 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
Early in the war Britain set up a blockade of the American coast. A blockade is the action of shutting down a port or road to prevent people or supplies from entering or leaving. By 1814 Britain had 135 warships blocking the American coastline and ports. -
Invasion of Canada
General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit in July. Unsure that he and his troops would succeed Hull soon retreated. British Commander Isaac Brook took advantage of Hull's confusion. The British surrounded Hull's army and forced them to surrender. It was a serious defeat for the US. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. The USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. The Constitution was was also called "Old Ironsides" because British artillery fire bounced off its thick wooden hull as if it were made of iron. -
Battle of Lake Erie
A key 3 hour battle to control Lake Erie that took place at Put-In-Bay in the western part of the lake. During the battle the American flagship was badly damaged. American commander Oliver Hazard Perry switched to another ship and fought until the United States won. -
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Andrew Jackson took command of the American forces in Georgia. In March 1814 he defeated the Native American Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The treaty at the end caused the Creeks to give up millions of acres of land. -
Washington DC Attacked and Burned
The British wanted to attack the United States capital, Washington DC. When a British force marched into the city First Woman Dolley Madison gathered up the Presidents important papers and fled the White House, which was burned along with other government buildings. The Americans were shocked the army couldn't defend Washington. -
The Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
Francis Scott Key who watched the British attack and the Americans defend Baltimore wrote a poem. It was called the Star Spangled Banner. The poem became popular and was setto music. Congress made it the national anthem in 1931. -
The Hartford Convention
A group of Federalists that met in Hartford, Conneticut. They discussed if the New England federalist states should withdraw from the US. When news of a peace treaty arrived the meeting was called off. -
Treaty of Ghent
Britain had grown tired of war. Peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium. On Christmas Eve the two sides both signed the Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war and put things back to the way they were before. -
Battle of New Orleans
News about the treaty took several weeks to reach the United States. In that time the two sides fought one more battle. American forces under General Andrew Jackson won a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans.
