-
President Madison takes office
Madison took office in March, 1809. While he was in office tensions with Great Britian grew. Americans resented the impressment of American sailors. Also the British were arming Native Americans in the Northwest -
Period: to
The War of 1812
-
War Hawks Take Power
In 1810 two strong naturalists, Henry Clay of Kentucky and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, became the leaders of the House of Representatives. These two men supported a group called War Hawks. They were eager to go to war with Britian. -
Relations with Great Britian Worsen
In 1812, the relationship with Great Birtian worsened. Native American attacks started to arise and the continuous impressment of sailors made tensions grow further. -
Congress Declares War on Britian
In June, 1812 Congress had had enough of Britians nonsense and were willing to fight. Congress declared war on Britian. -
America is not Ready for War
In June of 1812, Americans thought that they were ready for war. But they realized that they were not. President Jefferson's spending cuts had weakened the American military. The united states navy was reduced to the size of just 16 war ships and only 7,000 menin the army. They new that they themeselves and Britian were not ready to fight a war. -
Britian Blockades American Ports
During July of 1812, the British were setting up blockades on many American ports. The British were now in control of the ships coming to America and ships trying to leave America. This was of major importance in the war. -
Invasion of Canada
In July of 1812, American troops invaded Canada, but there general, William Hull , feared he may not have enough soldiers so he retreated. The British general, Isaac Brock, took advantage of Hull's confusion and surrounded him capturing 2,000 troops. But later on in the war British troops were forced back due o the loss of Lake Erie. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
In August of 1812, the USS Constitution fought a major sea battle. After a long and fierce battle the USS Constitution defeated the British warship Gueriere. This was a major victory for the U.S. After the battle sailors nicknamed theConstitution "Old Ironsides" because British artillery fire bounced of the ships thick wooden hull acting as if it were made of iron. -
Second Battle of Sackets Harbor
On May 29, 1813 the Second battle or just battle, of Sackets Harbor resumed. Prevost, the Brittish general, Resumed the attack. The position of the British army was very vulnerable but the American malitia, under General Jacob Brown, fled abandoning most of their weapons. Eventually after trying to take the base for the American naval squadron on the lake, the British hastily retreated because they could not break the American defenses. This battle caused many casualties and was very important. -
Battle of Lake Erie
In September of 1813, a three-hour battle took place at Put-In-Bay on lake Erie. During the battle the American flagship was badly damaged. The American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry was not frightened. He simply moved to another ship and continued to fight. He would not stop till they had won the war, and they did. Perry later announced his victory by stating "We have met the enemy and they are ours." -
Battle of Thames
In October of 1813, after the Battle of Lake Erie the British troops in Detroit had to to retreat back to Canada. But as they fled, General William Henry Harrison of America pursued them. In the battle that took place, American troops defeated the British and Native American allies. Tecumseh, a Native American against white settlement among native lands, died during the battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
In March of 1814, the Battle of Horseshoe Bend took place. The battle came to be after Creek warriors attacked several American settlements. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia and went to battle with the Creek warriors. He ended up defeating them. But to make sure fighting ceased a treaty was made that made the Creeks give up millions of acres of land. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
In May of 1814, the British were building frigates to try and take command of Lake Ontario as soon as the lake had thawed in the spring. He British frigates were said to be done by April 14 but American frigates had been built and were more powerful. The British had to find a smaller fort to attack they decided to attack Fort Oswego. Winds caused the British landing to be delayed. Fort Oswego then had time to turn their guns. It was not enough to over power the British. The Americans fled. -
Washington D.C Atacked and Burned
In August of 1814, a British force marched into nthe capital of our nation, Washington D.C. The president's wife had gathered all of the president's important papers and had fled. Soon, British set fire to some buildings including the White House. The Americans were shocked that the army could not defend Washington. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
On September 11, 1814 the Bitish were going to attack. Lieutenant General George Prévost and a naval squadron under Captain George Downie met at Plattsburgh. It was defeded by American troops under Brigadier General Alexander Macomb and ships commanded by Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough. After dawn on the 11th, the British attacked. Downie was defeated and he was killed. Later on, Prevost retreated to Canada. America had won. -
Attack on Baltimore and The Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
On September 13, 1814 the British took charge to take Fort McHenry, which defended Baltimores Harbor. British warships bombarded the fort all night till the next morning. Francis Scott Key, a young American, had watched the whole attack. At dawn the next morning he saw that the American flag was still flying. The Americans had defeated the British. After he saw this he wrote a poem named "The Star-Spangled Banner." This became our National Anthem later on in 1931. -
Hartford Convention
In December of 1814, Federalists met in Hartford, Connecticut. Debates over weather New England states should secede or not. While the delegates debated, news of the peace treaty arrived. War was over. The Bitish had singed the treaty in Ghent. With this news the convention quickly ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
On December 24, 1814 pece talks were held in Ghent Belgium. Britian was tired of war and wanted it over. On Christmas Eve, both sides signed the Treaty of Ghent. The war ended. Everything returned to the way it was before the war. The news eventually reached America were the fighting ceased. -
Battle of New Orleans
In January of 1815, news of the treaty had not reached America yet. One more battle was fought. The Americans went to battle against British at New Orleans. The Americans were under the leadership of General Andrew Jackson. They fought a stunning battle. The outcome was stunning. The Americans had defeated the Bitish and won.
