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A Well-Know Case of British Impressment
This event took place in Norfolk, Virginia. The British ship, Leopard, stopped the U.S. ship, Chesapeake, and the British tried to take four sailors. The British began taking fire and took the sailors by force when the captain of the U.S. ship refused. Word of this ecounter spread and upset many Americans. -
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Leading Up to the War
The events that lead to the War of 1812. -
The Embargo Act
This act was passed in the U.S. and made it illegal for U.S. citizens to trade with foriegn countries. Although this law hurt U.S. merchants. U.S. merchants just ended up smuggling goods to Europe, and so the act had almost no effect on Britain or France. -
The Non-Intercourse Act
This law was made in the U.S. and was made after the Embargo Act was repealed. It banned trade only with Great Britain and France. It also said that America would start trading with which ever country stopped disrupting their neutrality first. -
The Battle of Tippecanoe
This battle took place near the Tippecanoe River between the U.S. and a group of Native Americans led by Tecumseh, who was believed to be a threat to the U.S.. The Natives made the first move, attacking William Henry Harrison's (the governor of the Indiana Territory) camp. After the day long battle, Harrison forced the Natives to retreat and wrecked their village. -
The Beginning of the War
This first battle takes place of the coasts of Novia Scotia when the British ship, Guerrière, ran into the USS Constitution. The ships circled each other, and the Constitution took the first shot. The British took the next shot but the Constitution was unaffected. The U.S. won that first battle. -
The Battle of Lake Erie
This battle took place at Lake Erie. It lasted a bit more than three hours. Both sides suffered many casualties. The U.S. won this battle and this victory boosted America's confidence. -
The Battle of Thames
This battle was fought by the Thames River in Canada. The U.S. was led by General Harrison in this battle against the British and their Native American allies. Harrison attacked the enemy and British defenses fell apart. The Natives stayed strong, but had to retreat in the end. The U.S. won, stripped Great Britain of its power on the Northwest frontier and assured their control of the U.S.-Canada border. -
The Death of Tecumseh
Tecumseh was killed during the Battle of Thames by the Thames River, fighting against the U.S. with the British before they retreated. This weakened the relationship between the British and the Natives around the Great Lakes. -
The Battle of Horseshoe Bend
This battle took place at a small fort by the Tallapoosa River. Andrew Jackson was the general who led the U.S. to attack the main Creek base. The U.S. won this battle. This ended the Creek War and a treaty was signed that made the Creek give up millions of acres of their land. -
Dolley Madison Saves a U.S. Treasure
When her husband, President James Madison, is away and the British threaten Washington D.C., Dolley saves a famous portait of George Washington for future generations before she must evacuate the White House. -
The British Attack the U.S. Capital
After the British defeat France in April of 1814, they decide to attack the U.S. capital (Washington D.C.). President Madison leaves the capital when the British get past U.S. defenses. The British continue on towards the city and go to burn down the White House and some other government buildings. -
The National Anthem
Francis Scott Key watches the British attack Fort McHenry hoping for an American victory, excitement rising with in him as he waits. He sees the next morning that the U.S. flag is still waving above the Fort, signaling that Great Britain lost the battle. In pride and joy he writes the words to "The Star-Spangled Banner" which becomes the national anthem in 1931. -
The Hartford Convention
A convention is held in Hartford, Connecticut by the New England Federalists who wanted to end the war. Some delegates who attended this convention actually wanted New England to break away from the U.S., forming its own country. Before the Federalists could make their proposal, they got the news of the end of the war from Belgium. -
The Treaty of Ghent
This treaty was signed in Belgium when both the U.S. and Britain decided to end the war. Each country returned the land that they conquered during the war. -
The Battle of New Orleans
This battle took place in New Orleans. The start of this battle was when Great Britain's force of 5,300 attacked America's force of 4,500. The British were shot down in an open field by General Andrew Jackson and his troops. 2,000 British were killed or wounded, while the U.S. suffered only 70 casualties. This battle happened before everyone got the news of the end of the war from Belgium.
