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The War of 1812
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President Madison takes office
Americans were angry at Britian for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. Americans also resented the continued impressment of American sailors by the British. -
War Hawks Take Power
Clay, Calhoun, and their supporters were called war hawks. Opposition to war was strongest in New England. Many New Englanders believed war with Britain would harm American trade. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
Relations with Britain worsened steadily in the early months of 1812. In the spring, the British told the United States they would continue impressing sailors. Meanwhile, Native Americans in the Northwest began new attacks on frontier settlements. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
Congress declared war with Britain. The war did not come at a good time for the British, who were still at war in Europe. However, Britain was not willing to meet Americans demands to avoid war. -
America is not Ready for War
When the war began, Americans were confident that they would win. It soon became apparent that the United Stateswas not prepared for war. Jefferson's spending cuts had weekened American military strength. -
Britain Blockades American ports
In the first days of the war, the British set up a blockade of the American coast. 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
Even before the war began, war hawks were demanding an invasion of Canada. They expected Canadians to welcome the chance to throw off British rule. In July 1812, American troops under General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. In 1812, the USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. According to tradition, American sailors nicknamed the Constitution "Old Ironsides" because British artillery fire bounced off the ship's thick wooden hull. -
Battle of Lake Erie
American forces had better luck on Lake Erie. Both sides were aware of the importance of controlling the lake. A key three-hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay, in the western part of the lake, in 1813. -
Battle of Thames
After the Battle of Lake Erie a key three-hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay, in the western part of the lake, in 1813. During the battle, American flagship was badly damaged. The American Commander switched to another ship and continued the fight until it was won. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Creek warriors attacked southern American Settlements. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. In March 1814, Jackson defeated Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. -
Washington, D.C Attacked & Burned
The British strategy was to attack the nation's capital. In August 1814, a British force marched into the city. The presidents wife gathered up the President's important papers and fled the White House. -
Attack on Baltimore
The British now moved on to Baltimore. Their first objective was Fort Mchenry. British warships bombarded the fort throughout the night. -
The Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
On the back of an old envelope, Key wrote a poem called "The Star Spangled Banner". It told the story of the night's watch. The poem became popular and was set to music. -
Hartford Convention
Federalists met in Hardford Connecticut. Some delegates to the Hartford Convention suggested that the New England states secede from the United States.While the delegates debated, news of peace treaty arrived. -
Treaty of Ghent
Britain was tired of war by this time. On Christmas Eve 1814, the two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent. The treaty returned things to the way they had been before the war. -
Battle of New Orleans
News of the treaty took several weeks to reach the United States. In that time, the two sides fought one more battle. In January 1815, American forces won a stunning victory over the British at the Batlle of New Orleans.
