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President Madison takes office
There was high tension when Madison took office. Past presidents had to work hard to avoid war with Great Britain.All good must come to an end.Finally the United States declared war with Great Britain. -
Period: to
The War of 1812
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War Hawks Take Power
Two men named Clay and Calhoun were strong nationalists and they and their followers were called war hawks.They were eager for war with Britain. Opposition was strongest in New England since trade was big there and it would crush the economy. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
Relations with Britain worsened in the spring. The British told the United States that they would keep impressing sailors. On top of that Native Americans were attacking the frontier settlements. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
The war did not come at a good time for Britain since they were still at war in Europe. Britain said they would support the US' demands to avoid war....that didnt happen. War began and Americans were confident they would win. -
America is not Ready for War
America was not ready to go to war with Britain.Jefferson made budget cuts to the American military, The navy only had 16 warships ready to go. The American navy also had budget cuts and they were left with less than 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the begining of the war Britain set up a blockade on the American coast. By 1814, the British navy had about 135 warships blockading the American ports. The british navy was able to close off all American ports by t he end of the war, -
Invasion of Canada
Before the war began war hawks wanted an invasion of Canada.In July, of 1812 General William Hull and his troops invade Canada from Detroit. General Hull wasn't sure he would succeed so he then retreated. American commander Oliver Perry defeated Canada in the battle at Put-In-Bay at the western part of the lake, the British were forced to retreat. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
In the middle of August, the USS Constitution defeated the British warship, Guerriere.The Constitution was also known as "Old Ironsides" because the shots would bounce off the thick wooden hull.Not much is known about the USS battle besides that it was a major victory important to weakening the British. -
Second Battle of Sacket's Harbor
At the begining of the war the British took control of the Great Lakes.The British attempted to capture Sackets Harbor.The American regulars and militia fought them and kept them away.As a result, the Americans won. -
Battle of Lake Erie
The Battle of Lake Erie was a key 3 hour battle. It took place on the western part of the lake.The American flag ship was damaged badly do that the comander had to continue the battle on another ship. Oliver Hazard Perry was the American comander. -
The Battle of Thames
The British had retreated from the Battle of Lake Erie back into Canada. They were pursued by General William Henry Harrison and the American troops. Tecumseh was one of the many Native American allies to British killed in the battle. The Americans won. -
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Andrew Jackson led American forces in Georgia.They defeated the Creeks. The Creeks lost millions of acres of land when they signed the treaty that ended the battle. -
The Battle of Fort Oswego
The battle took place in the winter of 1814,It was a partially successful raid on the little village of Oswego. Britain wasn't getting along with the people in Oswego and their frigate. The battle ended with Britain taking over the fort. -
Washington, D.C. Attacked & Burned
British troops attacked Washington D.C. in August.They set fire to the White House an several other government buildings.The presidents wife had already salvaged the presidents important papers and fled the white house. -
The Battle of Plattsburgh
Took place around mid September in Plattsburgh.The British attacked the Americans. The British ended up fleeing after realizing that it wasn't worth it for the town could not be supplied without control of the lake. -
Attack on Baltimore
The battle took place at Fort McHenry.Brtish warships attacked the Fort because it defended the city's harbor.They continued the attack throughout the night. -
The Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner was created by Francis Scott Key. Key was a young American who watched the attack on Fort McHenry. He saw that the American flag was still flying above the fort in the morning. He wrote a poem about what he saw in the attack on an envelope and it later became the national anthem. -
Hartford Convention
Critics of president Madison met in Hartford, Connecticut.They wanted New England states to secede from the US. The delegates were debating when word of the peace treaty ending the war came around the convention quickly ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
Peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium.Britain and America both signed the Treaty of Ghent. The treaty returned things back to normal. -
The Battle of New Orleans
This was the last battle of the war and it was shortly after the Treaty of Ghent was signed.General Andrew Jackson led American forces. It was a great victory over the British.
