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Great Britain Issues Orders in Council
Great Britain responded to Napoleon's Berlin Decree with Orders in Council, banning neutral countries from trade unless it was through Britain. Irritated that the U.S. benefited commercially from the conflict, Britain began impressment of American seamen and citizens into its navy. The controversial practice worsened Anglo-American relations, injured national honor and, coupled with Great Britain's later refusal to repeal the Orders in Council, led to the U.S.' eventual declaration of war. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
Prophetstown, Indiana 1811; General Harrison vs.Tenskwatawa. Battle was a draw, but the Natives came away with morale severely damaged. The battle demonstrated a larger conflict stemming from white expansion into Indian territory. Western settlers, blaming Indian resistance and trouble with frontier warfare on the British, called for war. -
Congress Declares War on Great Britain
After much debate, Congress formally committed the country to war. -
The War's First Campaigns Begin
William Hull and other veterans of the American Revolution attempted a three-pronged attack on Canada. Americans suffered disastrous failures under poor military leadership. -
Battle of Lake Erie
A battle between Canada and America over the Lake Erie area, ending with America gaining control of the lake. -
Burning of Washington D.C.
British troops burned public buildings and the White House in Washington. -
Battle at Fort McHenry
Baltimore Harbor was defended from Great Britain's naval fleet. Francis Scott Key wrote the national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." -
Hartford Convention Begins
New England Federalists met to protest the war and plan revision of the Constitution. -
Treaty of Ghent
Delegates from both sides ended the state of hostilities and agreed on status quo ante bellum. -
Battle of New Orleans
January 1815; The last conflict of the War of 1812, with American forces under Andrew Jackson defending against the British. Because of slow communication, nobody knew the Treaty of Ghent had been signed. The British suffered major casualties at the hands of the Americans. The War of 1812 could be considered a stalemate since the Treaty of Ghent returned the U.S. to status quo ante bellum, but Jackson's victory at the Battle of New Orleans enabled Americans to see the war as an American victory.
