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The War of 1812
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President Madison Takes Office
On March 4th 1809, James Madison became the fourth president of the United States. He took over for Thomas Jefferson. Madison was also a Republican like Jefferson. When he took office, many Americans were very upset because of the British impressing American sailors. Many were eager for war with Britian. They were called War Hawks. -
War Hawks Take Power
On March 1st 1810, War Hawks took power of Congress. Most of the people in the House of Representittives and Senate were War Hawks. Henry Clay who was from from Kentucky, and John C. Calhoun of South Carolina, led the very feisty and angry group of War Hawks. Since both men were members and leaders in the House of Representitives they very much influnced many civilians all around the country to start another war with Great Britian. -
Relations with Great Britian Worsen
There was already hate between America and Great Britian. In the early parts of 1812, the hatred began to intensify. Most of the civilians were becoming War Hawks in America. They were becoming sick of the British impressing U.S sailors. Another war between these two countries was brewing right around the corner. -
Congress declares war on Great Britian
On June 18th 1812, the United States of America declared war on Great Britian. Almost every American was sick of the British impressment of American sailors, and they wanted to put a halt to this. At first, the Americans thought they would win easily, but they had no idea what challenges would face them on the road up ahead. -
America is not ready for war
The day after the Americans declared war on Great Britian, Congress realized they may have made a big mistake. Thomas Jefferson's spending cuts on the army and navy had weakened the Americans. The U.S only had 16 warships and fewer than 7,000 men. -
Britian Blockades American Ports
In some of the first days of the war, the British made a strong statement. They set up a blockade of all American ports. This hurt the American trade very much. By 1814, the British had 135 warships blocking American ports. -
Invasion of Canada
On July 12th 1812, the Americans invaded Canada from Detroit Michigan. Canada at the time, was British Territory. It turned out that the Americans did not have enough soldiers to control Canada so they retreated. This turned out to be a huge mistake. The British ended up trapping the Americans and they were forced to surrender. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
On August 19th 1812, the boat named the USS Constitution helped the Americans win a big sea battle defeating the British warship named the Gueriere. The USS Constitution was led by Isaac Hull. He outsmarted the British and easily led the Americans to victory. This win was a big boost for American morale. -
Battle of Lake Erie
Compared to the invasion of Canada the Americans fought a lot tougher and stronger on Lake Erie. When the American flagship was badly damaged, American commader, Oliver Hazard Perry, switched to another ship. He made sure the Americans would not give up and that they would win the battle. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
On March 27th 1814, The American general Andrew Jackson defeated the Creeks. He and his army easily outnumbered them. The Americans won the battle and took many acres of land. The Creeks were British allies so this was a setback for the British. -
Wasington D.C attacked and burned.
On August 24th 1814, the British made there biggest statement of the war. Their plan was to march into the U.S's new capital and burn many important bulidings down. The British ended up burning many government buildings including the White House. Americans were outraged and suprised their army could not defend the nation's capital. -
Writing of The Star Spangled Banner
On Spetember 13th 1814, a young man by the name of Francis Scott Key saw an attack by the British. At dawn, Key spotted the American Flag, still flying. Key then wrote a poem and on the back wrote the Star- Spangled Banner. In 1931 it became the national anthem of the United States. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was a meeting of people who wanted the New England States to secede or leave from the U.S and become it's own country. The New England states quickly went againist this idea as they still wanted to be united with all the other states in the U.S. This idea never arose again. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was a treaty that ended the war of 1812.This treaty returned many families' lives back to normal. Both Britian and the U.S were happy with the treaty. -
Battle of New Orleans
This battle was in New Orleans, Lousiana and was the last battle of the war of 1812. U.S forces in this battle were led by General Andrew Jackson. The British were heavily favored in this battle but the Americans shocked many by winning the battle.
