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The War of 1812
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President Madison Takes Office
James Madison was a quiet man. He had helped write out the constitution. He planned to keep the U.S. out of war but people didn,'t like that. Congress said, "How can we just let the British take over our ships and let the Native Americans stand in our way." So in the 1800's the U.S. fought with the Native Americans. -
War Hawks Take Power
Henery Clay from Kentucky and John C. Calhoun from South Carolina became the leaders for the House of Representatives. Them and their supporters called themselves War Hawks. Most New Englanders thought that war with Britain would effect the trade.In the early months of 1812 the relationship with Britain worsened. -
Relations With Great Britain Worsen
The battles with the Native Americans was causing relations between Britain and the U.S. to worsen. Britain was supplying the Native Americans with ammunition and guns. Also, Britain encouraged the Indians to attack the U.S. settelments. the U.S. made a big offer. If the Britain and French stopped trade, they would halt trade in other nations. Neopolian took the offer. War was stopped with Britain and only the U.S. and France traded. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
The British said they would continue impressing sailors to the U.S. Meanwhile, the Native Americans were in two battles. The U.S. had finally had enough. In June, the Congress called war on Britain. -
America Is Not Ready For War
America called war without checking their defense. Jefferson didn't think they needed to have much defense so he didn't pay much on that. Well when they realized they weren't ready, the Navy only had 16 ships. Also the army was quite small and not trained. Congress was going to give $124 and 360 acres of land away for their service. Many men enlisted for the money and the land, but after about a month most men dropped out. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the first couple of days, the British were starting to block all American ports. In 1814 the British had 135 ships lined up. All of the American ports were closed off. After that the British added troops. -
Invasion of Canada
General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit because the War Hawks were demanding it. Hull was unsure if he had enough troops. Hull soon retreated. General Isaac Brook, British commander, took advantage over Hull's troops. The British soldiers and Native Americans surrounded Hull and his army.The British took over 2,000 soldiers and had defeated the United States. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
Before the war, there was a major battle at sea. The USS Constitution defeated Britain's ship Guerriere. The sailors nicknamed the boat "Old Ironsides." They nicknamed it that because the British firearms bounced off the wooden sides.so it seemed as if the Constitution was made of iron. -
Washington D.C. Attacked and Burned
The British sailed to Chesapeak Bay to meet the Americans at Bladensburg, Maryland. The fight quickly turned over to the British as they took out the American army. After they got through the Americans, they headed for the Capital. Dolly Madison waited for her husband to return but when the British showed up and he wasn't back, she grabbed the important papers, the picture of George Washington, and fleed. She went South and never turned to see the British burn down the White House. -
The Battle of Lake Erie
Everyone around the lake knew it was important to control. There was a put-in-bay war for three hours. While the battle was going on, the Americans ship was damaged. Oliver Hazard Perry decided to change ships. The Americans fought until they won the battle. -
Battle of Thames
General William Henery Harrison pursued them. The Americans won the battle. Many Native Americans died. Among them Tecumseh died. -
Horseshoe Bend
After the Indian confederation fell aparet, the Creek's continued to fight. they fought against settelers. Andrew Jackson becan the commander of the American troops. Jackson won. The leader of the Creek's walked up to Jackson's camp, surrendered, and gave up their land. -
Attack on Baltimore
After the British attacked Washington D.C., they went for Baltimore. They were going for Fort McHenery. Their first objective was to hit Fort McHenery because it was the key to Baltimore's defense. The British bombarded the fort.There were bombs flying and lots of gun shots. After a long a night the Americans won. -
Writing the Star Spangled Banner
When the British hit Baltimore, Francis Scott Key sat and watched the war. When he saw the American flag flying high in the air, he knew the Americans won. Francis flipped over the back of an old envelope and wrote down a poem he called "The Star Spangled Banner." It was the story of the war. In 1931 it became popular and people set it to music. -
hartford convention
A small group of federalist met in Hartford, Connecticut for a meeting. The Hartford convention suggested that the New England states withdraw from the U.S. They hadn't made the decision yet. With the arrival of the peace treaty the war was over. Therefore the Hartford convention ended very quickly. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent took place in Ghent where it was signed. John Quincy Adams said,
'Nothing was adjusted, nothing was settled," and summed up the treaty. The U.S. and Britain agreed to repair the war damage. After that, people looked back and felt the War of 1812 was a mistake. One republic leader said,"The people are now more American. They feel and act more like a nation." -
Battle of New Orleans
Britain was all ready and prepared to attack New Orleans. Andrew Jackson gathered troops and made a massive army. All soldiers dug trenches. When the British attacked, the Americans were ready. Over 2,000 Britains died and only 7 Americans. After the Americans won, Andrew Jackson became a national hero.
