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Period: to
The War of 1812
Ryan Tharrett
Period 2 -
President Madison takes office
The Tensions with Great Britain were high when James Madison came into office in 1809.Americans were angry at Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. Americans also resented the continued impressment of American sailors by the British. -
War Hawks Take Power
In 1810, two strong nationalists, Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, became leaders in the House of Representatives. Opposition to war was strongest with New England. -
Relations with Great Britain
The British told the US that they would continue impressing sailors. Native Americans in the Northwest began new attacks on frontier settlements. Congress then declared war on Britain. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
Britain was not willing to meet American demands to avoid war. giving Native Americans support was a way of protecting Canada against an American invasion. When the war started the Americans were confident that they would win. -
America is not Ready for War
Jefferson's spending cuts had weakened American military strength. The navy only had 16 warships ready. The British navy had 135 warships blockading American ports. -
Invasian of Canada
Before the war started, war hawks were demanding an invasion of Canada. They expected Canadians to welcome the chance to throw off British rule. American troops under General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
The 135 British warships were already blockading American ports. After reinforcments, the British were able to close off all American ports by war's end. A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
The USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. It took nearly an hour for the two ships to close in on each other. The Constitution shot the Guerrieres ship. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Americans did better at the Battle of Lake Erie. Each side knew the importance of controlling the lake. A three hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay. -
Battle of Thames
The Americans followed them back to Canada. They defeated them at the Battle of Thames. Tecumseh was among those who were killed in battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
In the summer of 1813, Creek warriors attacked several southern American settlements. In March 1814, Jackson defeated the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The treaty that ended the fighting forced the Creeks to give up millions of acres of land. -
Washing D.C Attacked and Burned
In 1814, a British force marched into the city. The Pesident's wife, Dolly Madison, gathered up the President's important papers and fled the White House. The British ste fire to many of the government buildings, including the White House. The British now moved onto Baltimore. -
Attack on Baltimore
Their first objective was Fort McHenry, which defended the city's harbor. British warships bombarded the fort throughout the night. At dawn, Key saw the American flag still flying over the fort. -
Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
On the back of an envelope, Key wrote a poem that he called "The Star Spangled Banner." The poem became so popular it was set to music. In 1931, Congress made it the national anthem of the United States. -
Harvord Convention
A group of Federalists met at Harvord, Connecticut. They thought that the New England states should withdraw from the United States. But when news of peace arived the convention ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
Britain couldnt take war any longer. In Ghent peace talks started. On Christmas Eve both sides signed the treaty to end the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
The treaty took several weeks for the news to reach the United States. By then we fought one more battle with Andrew Jackson and won the battle. At the Battle of New Orleans we won a great victory.
