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President Madison takes office
James Madison was one of our presidents that wanted to avoid war, even though tension with Britain was high. War Hawks were hounding him to declare war. Dolley Madison, his wife, was also famous for fleeing from the White House, as it was being burned down. -
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President Madison Takes Office
This president tried to avoid war. Since the tension with Britain was high, and war hawks wanted war, that was hard for him. His wife, Dolley Madison, was also famous -
War Hawks Take Power
People who were begging for war were called War Hawks. The War Hawks wanted war with Britain to seize Canada, to stop British seizure of American ships. Also to get Florida from Spain, Britain's ally, to demonstrate the strength of the US. -
Relations with Great Britain worsen
At this time, thye British were supplying Native Americans with guns and ammunition, while also they were encouraging the Indians to attack American settlements. Also at this time, France and Britain were at war, the U.S. stayed neutral. But embargo against France and Britain were set to expire in 1810. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
U.S. made a promise to France that they wouldn't trade with Britain. So therefore, the British blockaded all American ports. Good thing the War Hawks urged Congress to be prepared for war with Britain. It happened in the New York Harbor that battle broke out. -
America is Not Ready for War
Britain didn't want to avoid war with America. They were in Canada protecting their territory, and they also encouraged Native Americans to attack American settlements. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
The British proceded to board American ships, and impress American Seamen. Felix Grundy, a former War Hawk, asked Congress to take action. Like some War Hawks, he dreamed of winning additional land to expand the U.S. But Congress opposed the War Hawk's views. -
Invasion of Canada
War Hawks were demanding Congress to start an invasion of Canada (which was owned by Britain at the time). Like all other Americans, War Hawks expected Canadians to welcome the chance to throw off British rule. The Americans started from Detroit an into Canada. What they expected was wrong. General William Hull feared that he didn't have enough soldiers, so they soon retreated. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
This battle took place on ships. The USS Constitution was named "Old Ironsides" because it was made from oak wood. When the British Artillery fired at the hull of the ship, it just bounced off, -
Battle of Lake Erie
At this point, Americans set out to get Lake Erie. Oliver Hazard Perry had no fleet, but he designed and built his own ships. When they got there, he sailed his tiny fleet against the British. The British battered Perry's ship, so he rowed to another boat and fought until it was done. -
Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
The British were prepared to attack Fort McHenry, that defends the city's harbor.They attacked during the night. Francis Scott Key woke up the next morning and found the American flag still on the flag pole. So he wrote a poem on the back of an envelope, that was later put in with music. It became America's National Anthem. -
Battle of Thames
This battle was on Lake Erie, with both sides aware of conrolling the lake. This battle was appproximately 3 hours long. The British were forced out of Deroit, and to retreat to Europe. -
Horseshoe Bend
In this battle both, Britain and the Americans had Navite AQmerican Allies. Then it turns out that America wasn't reeady for war. Jefferson's budget cuts have damaged the strength of our navy, and weakend the military. The British were way more prepared than the Americans. -
Washington D.C. Attacked and Burned
The British sailed into Chesapeke Bay, towards Washington. Then they invaded about 30 miles from Washington D.C. Poor President Madison watched the battle. Meanwhile at the White House, Dolley Madison waited for her husband to return. The British stormed into our Capitol and set fire to the White House. Dolley Madison grabbed important papers, and a portrait of George Washington and fled. -
Attack on Baltimore
When the British attacked Washington D.C. the American army were too weak to defend our nation's capitol. Their next move was to bombard Fort McHenry. -
Hartford Convention
At this time delegates from arund New England grouped, even though most of them were Federalists. Of course the Federalists didn't like the Republican president, but they also didn't like war either. Some of the men threatened to leave the union if the war continued. All of that stopped after word of the peace treaty arrived. -
Treaty of Ghent
This ended the war of 1812. It returned things to the way they were before the war. Although news of this treaty took a long time to go through the U.S. It was often called "Madison's war", and was also hated by New Englanders. -
Battle of New Orleans
At this time, the British were prepared to attack New Orleans. Andrew Jackson was waiting for the British along with thousands of frontiersman, and expert rifflemen. The Americans dug trenches in order to protect themselves -
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Battle of New Orleans
The British were prepared to attack New Orleans. However Andrew Jackson was waiting for the british with thousands of frontiersman and expert riffleman