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President Madison takes office
Tensions between Britain and the United States in the March of 1809 when President Madison took office. The Americans were angry with Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest region. Also Americans fumed with rage when Britain captured their ships during trade. -
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The War of 1812
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War Hawks Take Power
In the March of 1810 Henry Clay, C.Calhoun and their followers had war frenzy in their blood. The two leaders of the war hawks were leaders in the House of Representatives. But many people in New England were against war with Britain due to trading purposes. But Clay and Calhoun would not have it they keep pushing war with Britain. -
Relations with Britain Worsen
In the early months of 1812, Britain stated that they will continue impressment of American sailors.Thus, worsening the already brittle relationship with Britain. Now almost everybody was ready for war with Britain in a war hawk fever. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
In the month of June, 1812 congress wanting to keep a healthy relationship with Britain but cannot take it any longer declares war on Britain. The embargo Thomas Jefferson placed on Britain did not seem to stop the British from seizing American ships. The constant attacks Native Americans were becoming gruesome and were hurting the United States. Therefor it is "Fine and Proper" to declare war on this nonsense. -
America is not Ready for War
America begins to realize they are not ready for war. Still in debt from the America Revolution and the constant attacks from Native are taking major blows to the U.S. Jefferson spending cuts thus weakening the military. Only 16 warships in the navy and a army of less then 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the early days of war the British set up a blockade to prevent supplies from reaching America. A blockade is the action of setting shutting down or preventing supplies from coming into a area or leaving it. Britain had over 135 warships blocking the American ports. By the end of the war the British were able to shut down the port with their powerful navy. -
Invasion of Canada
The war hawks wanted the U.S to invade Canada to screw up British rule. In the month of July, 1812 the Americans invaded Canada by going through Detroit led by General William Hull but unsure of numbers retreated soon after. General Isaac Brock taking advantage took 2,000 American soldiers captive. Later a battle on Lake Erie caused America to score a victory. During this battle the American commander Oliver H. Perry had his ship badly damaged but then switched ships and forced them to retreat. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
In the most important sea battle in the War of 1812 "Old Ironside" known as the USS Constitution scored a victory. This battle occured in the freezing North Antlantic Ocean. Old Ironside fired a stream of artillery at the Guerriere meanwhile Britains cannonball bounced without harm off of the USS Constitutions hull. -
Second Battle of Sackets Harbor
This vital battle took place on May, 20 1813 when a group of British soldiers were sent across Lake Ontario to capture a town. But were suprised by a American militia waiting. Earlier in the war the British captured all of the great lakes giving them an upper hand. But on September, 1812 Captain Isaac Chauncey was ordered to gain control of of Lake Ontario. As a result Britain was defeated even though they had the advantage. But America still won this battle gaining control of Sackets Harbor. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Also called the Battle of Put-In Bay, Americans fought in this battle to ensure that they would keep control of Lake Erie. One of the largest naval battles in the War of 1812 the United States won capturing 6 British ships. Keeping this lake made it able for the Americans to win the Battle of Thames. As a result British lost with 41 men killed and 94 injured. Also 27 Americans lost their liveas and 96 were wounded. American ships outnumbered British 9 to 6 giving America a victory. -
Battle of Thames
Also called the Battle of Moraviantown, it took place in present day in current day Ontario or Upper Canada. This battle led to the death of Tecumseh of the Shawnee tribe the leader of the Native American resistance to gain back the land that was theirs. This led to the destruction of the Resistance. 16-33 indians were killed, 12-18 British were killed more then 566 were captured. Also this battle caused about 27 American deaths, At this the United Stares took this battle with a commanding force -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
This battle was fought in Alabama on March 27,1814. This battle was led by Colonel Andrew Jackson. Jackson and his army of 2,000 men, 700 cavalry and 600 Native American allies. This strongly outnumbered their opposition the Red Sticks with only 1,000 warriors. This battle was extremely lopsided for the Red Sticks but still cause a casualty of 47 Americans and 23 Native Americans. But, Americans slaughtered 857 men winning this battle with ease. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
On May 6, 1814 the British raided a village and fort in a surprise attack on the Americans. Although this attack resulted in a victory for the British making it their first it was only partially successful. The Americans caused about the same amount of casualties as the British did even though the British had the upper hand. Early in the war Lake Ontario was frozen so the Americans built frigates to protect the lake. Even with the loss they still managed to give themselves protection. -
Washington D.C Attacked and Burned
On August 24 a force of British troops led by General Robert Ross raided our nations capitol. After the defeat of Nepolian Bonaparte Britain was able to gain troops and saw that our defences were weak.So the British decided to attack Washington D.C becauses it would throw us off our heads or "Have a greater political value". So Britain greatly damaged establishments such as the White House and the Capitol Building. The casualties for America are unknown as opposed to Britain with multiple deaths -
Attack on Baltimore
This was the turning point in the war for the American forces. This was a combined sea and land battle and in the process the Americans managed to kill the commander of the attacking British force. America also managed to defend Fort McHenry in this process. This was a good retaliation from the burning of Washington D.C and Fort Oswego. As America forced the British to withdraw from the battle and defended Fort McHenry. -
Writing the Star Spangled Banner
During the Battle of Baltimore every light had gone out in the city. But exploding bomb shells lit the American Flag over Fort McHenry up with light (not fire) illuminating it.The protection of the fort later inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem "Defence of Fort McHernry". Which then spawned off the lyrics to our national anthem the "Star Spangled Banner". -
Battle of Plattsburgh
Also known as the Battle of Lake Champlain, this was the final attack on the Northern states. British troops attacked a lake side town called Plattsburgh.This battle took place shortly after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. For the Americans Alex Macomb for the land troops and Thomas Macdonough for sea. Macomb protected well and forced British land troops to retreat to Canada. Thsi battle was hard fought by both sides but still resulted in a American victory and successful defend. -
Hartford Convention
Many people in New England disliked the war because the blockade plased on the coast of America was affectin their trade.So in the winter of 1814 the Federalists held a meeting in Hartford, Connecticut. some representatives recommended that the New England states should withdraw themseleves from the United States. But soon word of peace came to the convention so it very quickly ended. (Picture is a political cartoon.) -
Treaty of Ghent
Britain became very sick and tired of war with the U.S so they began talking of peace in Ghent, Belgium in December. Soon Britain wrote a peace treaty known as the Treaty of Ghent in which both sides signed on Christmas Eve 1814 returning the relationship to normal with regular trade and so on and so forth. -
Battle of New Orleans
The final major of the War of 1812 took place before the word came to America of the Treaty of Ghent. Andrew Jackson who also won the battle of Horseshoe Bend led this defend. The British had their mind set on capturing New Orleans a peice of land earned from the Louisiana Purchase. Unfortunatley for the British they were greeted with a strong American force. This was thought to be the greatest land battle victory in American history ending the War of 1812.
