-
Period: to
The War of 1812
-
President Madison Takes Office
On March 4th, 1809 James Madison took office. During this time period, the relationship between Britain and the United States was suspenceful. The British were helping the Native Americans join them on their fight against the Americans. James Madison was one of the people who helped to write the constitution. During his presidency, he hoped to keep America out of war. American citizens had an opinion that his approach as president was too timid. -
War Hawks Take Power
Some War Hawks, including Clay, Calhoun, and their followers were considered War Hawks. They were considered War Hawks because they were eager for war with Britain. The members of the Congress from the south and the west wanted war with Britain. Therefore, they were known as War Hawks. They had a great knowledge and involvement in nationalism. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
When the Americans were figting with the Native Americans, the relationship between them and the Native Americans was poor. The British and the Native Americans were becoming allies. They were planning on attacking the American settlements. They planned to use the guns and ammunition they supplied them. During this whole time, the United States and Britain were arguing over trade. -
Congress Declares War on Great Britain
After the fight between the United States and Britain , the chance of going to war was becoming more likely. The British were annoying the United States. The War Hawks suggested that the United States congress should start to prepare for war with Britain. The New England representatives were nervous because they thought that the British Navy would attack New England seaports. During June of 1812, President Madison and congress declared war on Britain. -
America is not Ready For War
When the Americans started war, the British were surprised. The Americans were already in a fight with Napolean and didn't have any extra troops. Jefferson had limited spending money of defense. They only had 16 ships. Many officers knew almost nothing about military. Congress decided to give them $124 and 360 acres of land. The $124 was a high amount for a group of poorly trained soldiers. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
After the first days of the war, the British wanted to stop or prevent the American Coast from being an escape. The British set up a blockade of the American Coast. A blockade is the action of shutting a port or road to prevent people of supplies from coming in or out of an area. By 1814, the British have had 135 warships blockading American Ports. After reinforcing their troops, the British were able to close off all American ports by the end of the war. -
Invasion of Canada
The War Hawks had wanted to capture Canada. The U.S decided to enter Canada in Detroit, Montreal and the Niagra River. General William Hull moved the American troops from Detroit and into Canada. The tiny Canadian troops led by a great British leader, General Isaac Brock dressed in red coats to seem well-trained British were helping Canade. Hull left Canada and the Americans retreated. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. In August, 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the Bristish warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. According to tradition, American sailors nicknamed the USS Constitution "Old Ironside. This was because British cannon's fire bounced off the ship's thick wooden hull. To the Americans, it seemed as if the Constitution were made of Iron. -
Battle of Lake Erie
The Americans wanted control over Lake Erie. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry built his own ships and sailed his small crew to fight the British. During the battle, the British destroyed Perry's ship and left it without any concern. Perry went to another ship while he took down his flag. On the other ship, he raised his flags and started to fight again. The Americans won the Battle. -
Battle of Thames
The Battle of Thames is the battle after the War Hawks were in demand of attacking Canada. It was also after the Battle of Lake Erie. After the British and Native Americans retreated, the Americans with the control of General William Henry Harrison pursued them. As the British moved into Canada, the Americans followed, and won against the in the Battle of Thames. Tecumseh was killed in the Battle. -
Horseshoe Bend
The British and their ally Tecumseh retreated from Detroit into Canada after loosing control of Lake Erie. The Americans won the previous Battle of Thames. Tecumseh died during the battle, but his allies constinued fighting the settlers. American troops were took into command by Andrew Jackson. In 1814, with the help of the Chereokees, Jackson won a victory at the Battle of the Horseshoe Bend. -
Wahington D.C Attacked and Burned
In the summer of 1814, the British sailed their ships to Chesapeake Bay. There they landed their force that was ready to attack 30 miles from Washington D.C. As the battle went on, President Madison attacked. The British started to attack the capital. Dolley Madison evacuated the White House with importat papers and a portrait of George Washington and left before the British set the White House on fire. -
Attack on Baltimore
The British's first plan was to attack Washington D.C, the capital of the United States. In August of 1814, a British force charged into the city. The British sent many government buildings on fire, including the White House. Afterwards, the British came on Baltimore. They wanted Fort McHenry because it protected the city's harbor. British warships attacked the night of 9/13/1814. The Americans had got rid of the British. -
Writing of the Start Spangled Banner
After the invasion of Washington D.C and the White House being burnt, the "broad stripes and bright stars" on the American flag still stood over Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key took notice of it and wrote a poem about it. The poem, or "The Star Spangled Banner" was made into a song. They added music to it. It was later turned into the National Anthem of the United States. -
Hartford Convention
The British Blockade had hurt New England's sea trade. Also, many New Englanders feared that the United States might win land in Florida and Canada. If new states were carved out of these lands, the south and the west would become more influential that New England. Delegates from around New England met in Hartford, Connecticut. The delagates to the Hartford Convention threatned to leave the Union if the War continued. It ended quickly. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed in the city of Ghent, Belgium on December 24, 1814. John Quincy Adams summed up the treaty by saying "Nothing was adjusted, nothing was settled." Britain and the U.S aggreed to restore prewar conditions. The treaty didn't say anything about impressment or neutrality. Lots of Americans thought the war of 1812 was a mistake. -
Battle of New Orleans
The British had planned to attack New Orleans. They then planned to travel up the Mississippi River. The American fighters were now a strong army, and they were looking for the British. They had set up a camp in New Orleans. Lots of citizens from New Orleans joined the army to protect their home. On January 8, 1815 more than 2,000 British died in the fire of American sharpshooters and cannons. Only 7 Americans died. Andrew Jackson was a hero.
