-
British Impressment of 10,000 Americans
From 1803-1807, the British Navy impressed over 10,000 American sailors. This long build up anger and resentment toward the British government and forces influenced the decision to go to war in 1812 and helped convince the American public of the necessity for war. -
Chesapeake-Leopard incident
The British ship HMS Leopard demanded to search the USS Chesapeake and the captain refused. The Leopard then opened fire and the Chesapeake was forced to surrender. The American public was outraged with incident and many called for a move towards war. -
Embargo Act
The Embargo Act of 1807 ended all trade with any foreign nation and was mainly influenced as an attempt for the Americans to maintain Washington's policy of neutrality in foreign policy. However, it cause economic difficulty and was replaced two years later. -
Non-Intercourse Act
The Non-Intercourse act reopened trade to all foreign nations except France and Great Britain. It replaced the Embargo act of 1807. Although opening trade with the rest of the world allowed for some exports, there were still economic hardships resulting in the loss of foreign exchange with France and Great Britain. -
Congress declares war
Madison asks Congress to declare war on Britain. -
Summer of 1812
American forces invade Canada through Detroit
Americans soon had to retreat back to Detroit and in August surrender the fort there
Fort Dearborn (Chicago) fell before an Indian attack -
Put-In Bay
Oliver Hazard Perry and his American troops disperse the British fleet at Lake Eerie -
Battle of the Thames
William Henry Harrison victorious over the British after pushing up the Thames river and into upper Canada -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
General Andrew Jackson leads his men into Florida after Creek indians raid across the American-Florida border. They slaughter Creek men, women, and children alike until the tribe agreed to cede its lands to America. -
Battle of Bladensburg (Militia dispersal)
Britain finally got it's hands dirty in 1814, moving the up the Patuxent River and dispersing a poorly organized militia group that awaited them. They then proceded onwards to Washington, the Capitol. -
Burning of the White House and Occupation of Washington
The British sort of waltzed on in to Washington and to take revenge of the burning of York in the Revolutionary War, burn down the White House (which was like a dingy shack at the time) and burn other public buildings -
Siege of Fort McHenry
After burning the white house, Britain sails up to Baltimore but are blocked by the most American blockade ever, a wall of scuttled ships. As a result the British navy is forced to camp back and rain shells from long distance. Francis Scot Key is so inspired by our stellar defense that he writes our national anthem. -
Battle of Pensacola
General Andrew Jackson and his men seize the Spanish fort at Pensacola -
Treaty of Ghent
Americans abandon demand for cession of Canada and an end to British impressment. British give up on creation of buffer state in the North. The Treaty of Ghent had already occurred prior to the Battle of New Orleans, however, the parties involved were unaware and Jackson went on to have one of his and the country's greatest military victories of the time. -
Battle of New Orleans
Jackson crushes a force of seasoned forces attempting to advance upon the city of New Orleans. His losses were 8, the British lost 700 -
Rush-Bagot Agreement
Commercial treaty allowing free trade between US and England and called for bipartisan disarmament of Great Lakes
You are not authorized to access this page.
