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Jefferson's Offer
In 1801, William Henry Harrison was appointed to the Indiana Territory by Jefferson and he was to fix the issues with the natives. Jefferson gave the natives a choice: they could assimilate to white culture as farmers or move west of the Mississippi. This is the beginning of major conflict in the area that leads to the War of 1812. -
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Napoleonic Wars
The French and British were locked in bitter conflict in Europe and the United States got caught between this war from 1803-1815. The British captured American ships if they traveled too close to Europe, and if they went to a British port, the French would capture them. The British angered Americans greater than the French, as they attacked Yankee merchant ships all over the Atlantic. This rejuvenation of British hate helped spark the War of 1812. -
Chesapeake-Leopard Incident
In the summer of 1807, several British Navy deserters were traveling with Americans on the Chesapeake, when they encountered the British ship Leopard. James Barron, captain of the Chesapeake, refused to have his boat searched. Leopard opened fire and took four men of the ship. This creates more dislike for the British by the American public, and will lead to the War of 1812 because of this hate. -
The Embargo Act of 1807
To avoid future events that pull the nation into war, Congress passed this act in 1807. It prohibited American ships from leaving the states for a foreign port. This created a massive depression due to collapse of trade, and it hit hardest in the Northeast. -
Non-Intercourse Act/Macon's Bill No. 2
In 1809, Congress passed a law that reopened trade to all foreign nations except Great Britain and France. This replaced the Embargo Act, and later the Non-Intercourse Act was replaced with Macon’s Bill No.2. Macon’s Bill resumed trade with the French in 1810 as they promised to no longer interfere with American shipping. This leaves an embargo only on the British, consequently sparking the War of 1812. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Harrison was camped outside of Prophetstown and on November 7th, 1811, he drove the Native Americans out of Prophetstown and burned the village to the ground. This left the Native American Confederacy in dismay, However, Tecumseh still gathered a large group of Native Americans that later attacked a number of white settlements. The British in Canada egged on the natives to attack the settlers. -
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War of 1812
President Madison declares war on Britain after much pressure from Congress and the rest of America. -
Battle of Thames
After William Henry Harrison pushed up from the Thames River into upper Canada, he drove off the British and Natives. Harrison won the battle and Tecumseh died. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Andrew Jackson led an attack against local Creeks. The Creeks ceded their land to America and Andrew Jackson became a U.S. General. -
Burning of Washington
After defeating Americans at the Battle of Blandensburg, British troops burned much of Washington DC including the White House. This was in retaliation for the burning of York. -
Battle of Plattsburg
American forces held off British Forces trying to take northern New York. This allowed for Americans to secure the northern border of the United States. -
Battle of Baltimore/"Star-Spangled Banner"
During the bombardment of Fort McHenry in the Battle of Baltimore, Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner, which later becomes America’s National Anthem. The battle resulted in an American victory. -
Battle of Pensacola
British abandon the fort and Jackson gains the Spanish Fort Pensacola. -
Hartford Convention
Delegates from New England states met in Hartford, Connecticut to discuss grievances. This meeting reasserted the right of nullification and proposed seven amendments to the Constitution. This became irrelevant after the news of New Orleans and the Peace Treaty, thus killing the Federalist Party. -
Battle of New Orleans
British attempted to attack in New Orleans but Andrew Jackson was hiding with troops and ambushed them. After losing 700 men, the British retreated. Jackson lost eight men. Afterwards, Americans were told that a peace treaty was signed weeks before the battle.
