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President Madison takes office
Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson had all avoided war with Britain and France. But in 1809 the United States finally declared war on Britain. Tensions with Britain was high when James Madison took officeTo most American's, the country's honor was at stake. -
War Hawks Take Power
Two strong nationalist, Henry Clay and John C. Calhounbecame leaders in the Hous of Representives. Clay and Calhoun and their supporters were called war hawks. This meant they were eager for war with Britain. Oppostion to war was strongest in New England. -
Realations with Great Britain Worsens
In the Spring of 1812, British told the United States impressing sailors. Meanwhile, Native Americans in the Northwest began new attacks on frontier settlements. In June Congress declared war on Britain. -
Congress Declares War on Britain
In June, Congress declared war on Britian. 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 American 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 States was not ready for this War. Jefferson's spending had weakened American military strength. The navy had only 16 warships ready to go to war. They only had 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In the first days of the war, the British set up a blockade of the American coast. By 1814, the British navy had 135 warships blockading the troops. After reinforcing their troops, the British were able to close off all American ports by war's end -
Invasion of Canada
Even beforethe war had started, the war hawks were demanding an invasion on Canada. In July American troops under General William Hull invaded Canada from Detriot. He soon retreted beacuse of the lack of soliders. The British General, Isaac Brock took advantage of Hull's confusion, and surrounded Hull's army. The British captured more than 2,000 soliders. This was a serious defeat for the United States. -
USS Constitution scores a victory
The USS constitution defeated the British Guerriere in a fierce battle. American sailors nicknamed the Constitution "old ironsides"because British artillery bounced off the ship's thick wooden hull.It made the British seem like this ship was made of iron -
Second Battle of Sackets Harbor
Took place on May 29, 1813, during the War of 1812. A British force was transported across Lake Ontario and attempted to capture the town. They were repulsed by American regulars and Militia. -
Battle of Lake Erie
American troops had better luck on Lake Erie. Both of the 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. During the battle, the American Flagships were badly damaged.The American commander, Oliver Hazard Perry, switched to another ship until the battle was won. -
Battle of Thames
As the British and their Native American allies retreated , the American under General William Henry Harrison pursed them. They followed the British into Canada, defeating them in the Battle of Thames. Tecumseh was among those killed in this battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Native Americans also suffered a defeat in the South.Creek warriors, in the Summer of 1813, Attacked several southern American settlements. Andrew Jackson took command of American forces in Georgia. In March of 1814, Jackson defeated the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend. The trety that ended the fighting forced the Creeks to give up millions of acres of land. -
Battle of Fort Oswego
While Lake Ontario was frozen both British and American naval squadrons had been building two fridgates each. on May 6th, the Fort was under heavy fire. As the attackers advanced the defenders abandoned the Fort and fled. -
Washington, D.C Attacked & Burned
The new British strategy was to attack Washington D.C. In August 1814, a British force marched into the city. Dolley Madison, the President's wife, gathered up the Preasident's important papers and fled the White House. The British set fire to several Government buildings. Americans were shocked to learn that their army could not defend Washington. -
Part 2 of Writing of the Star Spangled Banner.
In 1931, Congress made made it thw\e national anthem of the United States. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
Also known as the battle of Lake Champlain, ended the final invasion of the of the northern states. George Downie, a naval captain. Downie's squadron attacked shortly after dawn on September 11,1814, but was defeated and Downie was killed. -
Attack on Baltimore & the Writing of the Star Spangled Banner
The Britsh now moved to Baltimore. Their first objective was Fort McHenry, which defended the city's harbor. British warships bombarded the fort throughout the night. Francis Scott Key, a young american, watched the attack. At dawn Key saw the American flag still flying over the Fort. The Americans had beaten of the attack.
On the back of an old envelope, Key wrote a poem called the "Star Spangled Banner". It told the story of his night watch. The poem became popular and was set to music. -
Hartford Convention
A group of Federalist met in Hartford connecticut. Some delegates to the Hartford convention suggested that the New England states secede from the United States. While the delegates debated, news of the peace treaty arrived. With the War over, the Hartford Convention quickly ended. -
Treaty of Ghent
By 1814, Britain had tired of war. Peace talks began in Ghent, Belgium. On Christmas Eve 1814, the two sides signed the Treaty of Ghent, this ended the war.The Treaty returned things to the way it was 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 under General Andrew Jackson won a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans.
