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President Madison takes office
Tension with Britain was high when James Madison took office in 1809. Americans were angry at Britain for arming Native Americans in the Northwest. Americans also resented the continued impressment of American sailors by the British -
Period: to
The War of 1812
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War Hawks Take Power
Clay, Calhoun, and their supporters were called war hawks those who were eager for war with Britain. Opposition to war was strongest in New england. Many New Englanders believed war with Britain would harm American trade. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
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. In June Congress declared war on Britain. -
Congress Decares War on Britain
In June, Congress declared war on Britain. The war didnot come at a good time for the British, who were still at war in Europe. However, Britain was not willing to meet American demands to avoid war. Providing Native Americans with suport was one way of protecting Cananda gainst an American invastion -
America is not Ready for War
When the war began Americans were confident that they would win. It soon became apparent that they United States was not prepared for war. Jefferson spending cuts had weakened American Military strength. The Navy had only 16 war ships ready for action. The Army also was small, with fewer than 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the first days of the war, the British set up a blockade of the American coast. A block is the action of shutting a port or road to prevent people or supplies from coming into an aread or leaving it. By 1814, the British Navy had 135 war ships blockading American ports. -
Invasion of Canada
Even before the war began, war hawks were demanding an invasion of Cananda. They expected Canandians to welcome the chance to throw off British rule. In July 1812, American troops under General William Hull invaded Cananda from Detroit. Hull was unsure of himself. Fearing he did not have enough soliders, he soon retreated. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
A major sea battle was fought at the beginning of the war. In August 1812 the USS Constitution defeated the British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. -
Battle of Thames
As the British and their Native American allies retreated. The Americans under General William Henry Harrison pursued them. They followed the British into Cananda, defeating them in the Battle of the Thames. Tecamseh was among those killed in this battle. -
Second Battle of Sacketts Harbor
The American commander, Oliver Hazerd Perry, switched to another ship and continues the fight until it was won. -
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 Horseshoe Bend
In March 1814 Jackson defeated the Creeks at the Battle of Horeshoe Bend. The treaty that ended the fighting forced the Creeks to give up millions of acres of lands. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
During the early months of 1814, while Lake Ontario was frozen, the British and American naval squadrons had been building two frigates each with which to contest command of the lake during the coming campaigning season. -
Washington, D.C Attacked & Burned
The new British strategy was to attack the nation's capital, Washington DC. In August 1814, a British force marched into the city. Dolley Madison, the President's Wife, gathered up the President's important papers and fled the White House. -
Attack on Baltimore & the Writing of the Star Spanglad Banner
The British attacked Fort McHenry. The next morning, the British had been repelled. Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner at this battle. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
British forces attacked Plattsburgh. One British General was killed, along with other soliders. The other General fled to Cananda. American victory. -
Hartford Convention
Federalists met in Hartford to discuss wether the New England States shold secede or not. -
Treaty of Ghent
In Ghent, Belgium, leaders from both sides, the British and the Americans met. There they discussed peace. The treaty was signed and the war ended. -
Battle of New Orleans
After the Treaty of Ghent was signed, it took weeks for it to get back to the United States. During that time, the British and the Americans fought in the Battle of New Orleans General Andrew Jackson won the battle against the British
