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British Begin Impressing US ships
Britain was at war with French during the early 19th century. In order to defeat French, Britain began impressing (capturing) American ships. The US ships were transporting goods and supplies to France which Britain did not like. From 1803 to 1812, about 6 thousand US sailors were impressed by Britain. The impressments and interfering with American shipping was a cause of the War of 1812. -
Embargo Act of 1807 passed
Angered by Britain, President Jefferson passed this act as an attempt to stop Britain from impressing US sailors. This act prohibits Americans from sailing to foreign ports and Britain from sailing to US ports. Unfortunately it caused more harm to Americans than anyone else. Thousands of Americans lost jobs, markets and incomes. -
Britain & Shawnee become allies
Americans believed Britain had influenced Native tribes such as the Shawnee tribe (led by Tecumseh) into rebelling against the US. Tecumseh and his tribe fought against Americans but lost. The alliance between the Natives and Britain angered the US and was a cause of the War of 1812. -
US declares war
Britain did not want war so stopped impressing American ships a few weeks before, but the US did not realize that until after the war had begun. -
Battle of the Thames
Harrison's army defeated British forces and killed Tecumseh in this battle. This battle happened after Oliver Perry sent a message "We have met the enemy and they are ours" to General Harrison when Perry defeated a British fleet. -
British defeated France
Britain defeated France before focusing on the US. Once France was taken care of, the US was Britain's next target. -
Battle of Lake Champlain
The British sent troops from Canada southward in order to capture New England but were defeated by US soldiers. -
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was signed, ending the War of 1812. Word of the treaty was not spread quickly enough for Andrew Jackson's army to realize the war was over before their battle on January 8, 1815. -
Andrew Jackson's victory
Andrew Jackson's army won against British troops at the port of New Orleans. This victory gave Andrew Jackson fame and his army courage, but the battle was pointless because of the Treaty of Ghent signed a few weeks earlier. -
Effects of the war
There was no real victor of the war. No one achieved new land or power, but the US gained morale and courage, their manufacturing grew, and Native Americans' resistance was deminished.
