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The war of 1812
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President madison takes office
Tension was high when president madison took office in 1809.
Americans were angry at Britain for arming indians in the northwest. Americans also resented the impressment of sailors by the British. -
War hawks take power
America felt that their honor was at stake. They felt a new feeling of nationalism. And John c. Calhoun and Henry Clay became leaders in the House of Representatives. Their supporters were called War Hawks. Oppositions to war were strongest in New England. -
Relations with Britain get worse
Relations steadily got worse in the early months of 1812. In spring, the British said that they were going to continue impressing sailors. Meanwhile, in the Northwest, indians began new attacks on frontier settlements. -
America is not ready for war
When the war began America was confident that they would win the war. It soon became apparent that the United States was not well prepared. Jeffersons cuts left the military small and had very few war ships. -
Congress declares war with Britain
On June 18, 1812, congress declared war on Britain. -
Britain blockades American ports
In the early war Britain set up a blockade of the american coast. By 1814 , the British Navy had 135 warships blockading American ports. After reinforcing the troops, the british were able to block off all of the ports. -
Invasion of Canada
Even before the war began War Hawks demanded an invasion of Canada. They expected canadians to welcome the chance and throw off British rule. In July 1812 will hull invaded Canada from Detroit. But, He had feared that he hadn't enough soldiers. so, he retreated. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
a major sea battle was fought at the beggining of the war. in august 1812, the U.S.S Constitution defeated the british warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. the soldiers nicknamed their ship old irondsides because british artillery didn't affect their ship. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Native americans suffered defeat in the south. In the summer of 1813, Creek warriors attacked 7 southern American settlements. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. In 1814, Jackson defeated the Creeks at the battle of Horseshoe Bend. -
Second battle of Sackets Harbor
The second battle of Sackets Harbor took place on May 29 1813. A british force was transported across lake ontario and attempted to capture the town which was the principal dockyard and base for the american naval squadron on the lake. They were repulsed by American regulars and militia. -
Battle of lake Erie
Both sides were aware of the importance of controlling the lake. A key 3 hour battle took place at put in bay, in the western part of the lake. During the battle the American flagship was badly damaged. The American commander took hold of a new ship and continued fighting until the Americans won. -
Battle of Thames
As the British and Native American allies retreated after the battle of Lake Erie, the Americans followed them. They pursued the British into Canada defeating them in the battle of Thames. Tecumseh was also killed in this battle. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
The battle of Fort oswego was a partially succesful british raid on an American fort and village in the war of 1812. During the early months of 1814 the lake was frozen and british and american naval squadrons had built two frigates, or ships each. with which they were going to contest command of the lake during the coming campaign season. The british were first to complete building. But the americans had made more powerful ones. the british squadron would be outclassed. -
Washington D.C attacked and burned
The new British strategy was to attack the nations capital, Washington D.C. In August 1814. A British force marched into the city. Dolley Madison, the first lady, took all of Madisons important papers and fled the White House. The British set fire to several government buildings, including the white house. Americans were shocked to learn that the army couldn't defend washington. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
This battle ended the final invasion of the northern states in the war of 1812. A british army and naval squadron converged in Plattsburgh. This town was being guarded by American troops and American ships. The squadron attacked but was defeated. The commander of the squadron was killed in the attack. The commander was captain George Downie. Then, the army commander, Sir Geroge Prevost, abandoned the attack that he had planned on land and retreated to Canada. -
Attack on Baltimore & writing of the Star Spangled Banner
After attacking Washington d.c, the british moved on to Baltimore. The battle of Baltimore was a combined land and sea battle. It was a turning point in the war as the american forces repulsed sea and land invasions of baltimore,maryland. Also, they killed the british commander of army forces. The defense of baltimores fort mchenry, inspired franciis scott key to compose the defense of fort mchenry which later became the star spangled banner. -
Hartford convention
In December 1814, a group of Federalists met in Hartford Connectticut. Some delegates said that the New England states should secede from the United States. While they were debating, news of the peace treaty arrived, and so, the convention quickly ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
By 1814 Britain had lost interest in the war. Peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium. On Decemeber 24,1814 both sides had signed the treaty of Ghent which had ended the war. The treaty returned things to the way they were before the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
The treaty of Ghent took 7 weeks to reach the United States. during that time, another battle took place. In January 1815, American forces under command of Andrew Jackson defeated the British at the battle of New Orleans.
