War of 1812 wallpaper

The War of 1812

By BenBurt1000

  • Napoleon becomes emperor of France.

    Napoleon becomes emperor of France.
    He wanted to conquer most of Europe, but the British declared war on France to stop him.

  • The British seized American ships and made the sailors serve them. This action was impressment.

    The British seized American ships and made the sailors serve them. This action was impressment.
    Many Americsns didn't like the impressment. They also had a low opinion of the British before the impressment. There was a group of people who wanted to fight against Britain, known as war hawks. Notable war hawks included Andrew Jackson and Henry Clay.

  • James Madison becomes President.

    James Madison becomes President.

  • The United States declares war on Britain.

    The United States declares war on Britain.
    However, the Native Americans sided with Great Britain because they were angry that the Americans wanted to seize their land.

  • The United States invaded Canada, hoping to conquer British territory.

    The United States invaded Canada, hoping to conquer British territory.
    They burned the capital, York, which is now known as Toronto. They were able to keep the Northwest land they claimed, although they couldn't capture Canada.

  • Major George Armistead hires Mary Pickersgill to make a flag.

    Major George Armistead hires Mary Pickersgill to make a flag.
    Pickersgill sewed the flag in a brewery with the help of her daughter because her workshop wasn't big enough. The flag was 30 ft high and 42 ft wide, with 15 stars 2 ft across. 15 stripes were sewn as well, unlike the 13 stripes we see today.

  • The British defeat Napoleon and sought revenge on the United States.

    The British defeat Napoleon and sought revenge on the United States.
    They were after the United States for burning the capital of Canada, attacking Washington D.C., burning the Capitol building and destroying the books in the Library of Congress. They also tried attacking the president, but he wasn't at home. After that, they planned to conquer Baltimore.

  • The British prepared to attack Baltimore.

    The British prepared to attack Baltimore.
    However, General Samuel Smith, who had no intention of surrendering, created a barricade preventing the huge British warships from getting there. The barricade was composed of sunken ships from owners who were convinced to sink them.

  • The Americans won at Fort McHenry.

    The Americans won at Fort McHenry.
    Francis Scott Key was inspired to write "The Defense of Fort McHenry" to the tune of a song he knew, and the poem's words would eventually be incorporated into "The Star Spangled Banner."

  • The Americans and British sign a treaty of peace in Ghent, Belgium.

    The Americans and British sign a treaty of peace in Ghent, Belgium.
    However, this did not reach the people in time.

  • The United States wins the Battle of New Orleans.

    The United States wins the Battle of New Orleans.
    2,000 British were killed or wounded, which is a big number compared to the 13 Americans lost. It showed Europe that they were a formidable nation.