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Period: to
The War of 1812
Cole Ross
Period 6 -
President Madison takes office
James Madison was the fourth President of the United States. When he took office, tensions were high with Britain. Thomas Jefferson was the President before Madison was. -
War Hawks Take Power
War hawks are those who are eager for war with Britain. The opposition to war was strongest in New England. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
The British told the United States that they would continue impressing sailors. Impressment is forcing a person into service. In this case, forcing sailors on American ships to serve in the British navy. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
Congress declares war on Britain for many reasons, including that Britain kept impressing sailors on American ships. -
America is not Ready for War
Former President Jefferson's spending cuts had weakened the American military's strength. The navy only had 16 warships ready for action. The army had fewer than 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
A blockade is the action of shutting a port or road to prevent people or supplies from coming into an area or leaving it. By 1814, the British navy had 135 warships blockading American ports. -
Invasion of Canada
American general, General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. He retreated, feeling he did not have enough soldiers. The British commander, General Isaac Brock, surrounded Hull's army and forced them to surrender. The British army captured more than 2,000 American soldiers. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
The USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere. in a fierce battle. American sailors had nicknamed the Constitution "Old Ironsides", because it deflected British artillery fire. -
Battle of Lake Erie
The Battle was a 3 hour long event. It took place in the western part of Lake Erie. During the battle, the American flagship was badly damaged. American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry, changed to another ship and continued fighting until it was won. He announced his victory with a dramatic message, "We have met the enemy and they are ours." -
Battle of Thames
After the Battle of Lake Erie, the British and their Native American allies retreated. The Americans with their general, General William Henry Harrison, pursued them. The Americans followed the British into Canada. The Americans defeated the British. Tecumseh was among the people killed in the battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
It was a defeat that the Native Americans suffered. In the summer of 1813, Creek warriors had attacked several southern American settlements. Andrew Jackson had taken command of American forces in Georgia. Jackson eventually defeated the Creeks. -
Washington, D.C. Attacked & Burned
A British force marched into Washington D.C. The President's wife had fled from the White House. The British set fire to several government buildings including the White House. -
Attack on Baltimore
The British moved on to Baltimore after they attacked and burned Washington D.C. The British's first objective was to attack Fort McHenry. Fort McHenry defends the city of Baltimore. British warships attacked the Fort throughout the night. The Americans had beaten off the attack. -
The Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner was a poem written by Francis Scott Key. It told the story of the night's watch on the attack of Baltimore. -
Hartford Convention
A group of Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut. Some delegates suggested that the New England states secede (withdraw) from the United States. The news of the Treaty of Ghent reached American by then and the Convention ended quickly. -
Treaty of Ghent
Talks of peace had begun in Ghent, Belgium. The Treaty of Ghent was signed by both sides (Britain and America) on Christmas Eve 1814. The was had ended. Everything was changed to the way it was before the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
The news of the Treaty of Ghent took several weeks to reach America. In the time, the British and Americans fought one last battle. American forces under command by General Andrew Jackson, won a stunning victory over the British.
