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Causes of the War
The United Kingdom had been fighting France since 1793, except a three year period from 1801- 1803. Napolean, who was the head of the French government, had wanted to conquer the United States for a long time. However, his navy was destroyed in 1805 at the Battle of Trafalagan. So instead he decided to destroy British trade. He took certain steps in making sure this would happen. He did things like form a blockade around trading ports and other drastic measures like that. -
Causes of the War Continued
[War of 1812](<a href='http://www.infoplease.com/ce6/history/A0861857.html)' >(War of 1812)</a>This caused lots of problems for the U.S. They were previously quite rich because they had been trading with England and France. However now when the U.S. tried to trade with France they would get stopped by British ships for inspection and they'd have to pay large fees. Napolean, on the other side, told the U.S. not to stop and he said that if they did he'd seize the ship. Basically the French and British policies were just out of control and it was a lose-lose situation for the U.S. -
Beginning of the War
In the late 1700's and early 1800's a state of war existed between Britain and France. Although the U.S. hoped to stay neutral, that didn't work out so well. Britain and France made it almost impossible for the U.S. not to get involved by disregarding all the rights of neutral parties. This led to the War of 1812. (War of 1812) -
Two Days Before the War
Two days before the war was declared, the British government said it wold repeal laws which were the main reason for fighting. However, this information did not reach the U.S. quick enough. If communication had been quicker the war could have (most likely) been prevented. Hense the other name for the war, "The War of Faulty Communication." (World Book) -
Declaration of War
On June 18, 1812 Congress declared war on Britain. The U.S. wanted to take Montreal in Canada. They totaled three invasions but the Britsih defeated them in all three. (War of 1812) -
Fort Mims
Fort Mims was attacked and massacred by the Red Sticks, a group of Creeks. -
Washington D.C. Attacks
(Battle of Washington)The British, an expeditionary force burst into Washington D.C. and left it in flames. President James Madison fled to Virginia. They burned many buildings including the white house... they say that the president barely made it out and that his dinner plates where still warm when the British came in. Historians believe this event may have been over exaggerated. This event ended up uniting the U.S. in their fight against the British. -
Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key in 1814. Key was detained on a ship during the shelling of Fort McHenry. He wrote the song about how in the morning he still saw the American Flag flyinbg over the fort. (InfoPlease) -
Effects on the American Indians
(Treaty with Great Britain)The war of 1812 ended in 1815. Although treaties were signed between Britain and the U.S. the Indians didn't really get a say in what was going on. When General Tecumseh died, the American Indians no longer had a leader to gather their armies. It all basically went downhill for them after that. The Indians lost a lot of land through the government treaties that were being signed. Indians tried many times to stop the Americans advance on their land but all their attempts failed. -
Land Loss for American Indian
Both the British and the Americans could claim some victory from the war. The real losers were the American Indians.The Creeks lost much of their land. The Shawnee were weakened and eventually forced westward. Although in most history texts it is not stated that the American Indians were directly involved, they were impacted the most by the war. (Swogger)
