-
President Madison Takes Office
Tension with Britain was high when James Madison became the new president. Americans were not happy with Britain for giving Native Americans weapons in the Northwest. Americans also were not pleased that the British were impressing their American sailors. -
Warhawks Take Power
Two strong nationalists, Henry Clay of Kentucky & John C. Calhoun of South Carolina become leaders in the Hpouse of Representatives. There supporters and themselves were known as warhawks. Not many people wanted war in New England. Most people in New England thought that war would ruin American Trade. -
Relations With Great Britain Worsen
During Spring, the British said to America that they would keep impressing sailors. Native Aericans in the Northwest start new attacks on the frontier settlements. In June, Congress decided to go to war with Britain. -
Period: to
The War of 1812
-
Congress Declares War on Britain
The war didn't come at a good time for Britain. Britain was unwilling to meet American needs to have war. Native Americans and the British were prtoecting Canada. -
America Is Not Ready For War
Jefferson's pending cuts made the American army weak. They only had 16 battle ships. The army also had less than 7,000 men. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
Britain made a blckade along the on the American coast. Brtish navy had 135 warships blockading the American ports. After replenishin their troops, Britain was able to shut off all American ports. -
Invasion of Canada
American troops led by General William Hull invaded Canada from Detroit. Hull wasn't sure he had enough troops. So he quickly retreated. -
USS Constitution Scores a Victory
The USS Constituion won a victory of British warship Guerriere in a fierce battle. British shots bounced off the thick of hull. Americans considered the ship unbeatable. -
Battle of Lake Erie
A very important battle took place at Put-In-Bayon the western side. The American flagship was damaged. Oliver Hazard Perry went to another ship and continued fighting. -
Battle of Horseshoe Bend
Jackson defeated the Creeks during the Battle of Horsehoe Bend. The treaty that stopped the fighting made the Creeks give up millions of acres of land. The British defeated Napoleon. This made it so the British could send troops through the Atlantic. -
Washingottn, D.C. Attacked and Burned
The president's wife gathered all the important papers. Britsh lit several government buildings on fire. Americans were appalled that their troops couldn't protect Washington. -
Writing of the Star Spanled Banner
Ke saw that the American flag was still flying over the fort. The Americans had won the attack. Key wrote a poe called the "Star Spaned Banner". Stating what he saw at the battle. -
Treaty of Ghent
Both American and Britain signed the Treat of Ghent. The treaty made things back to normal. The news took several weeks to get to the U.S. They had one more battle before then. -
Battle of New Orleans
Before the treaty got to the U.S., the towo sides had one more battle. Americans were led by General Andrew. They won a victory over Britain. -
Hartford Convention
Some delegates suggested the New England withdraw. Some thought this was the second battle for Independence. Winning the war ave Americans pride.
