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War Hawks
War Hawks were young congressional leaders who in 1811 and 1812 called far war against Great Britain as the only way to defend national honor. This group of patriots did so to repeal the Orders of Council. For them, to surrender to the British policy was to surrender true independence. -
The Battle of Tippecanoe
Tecumseh was away recruiting men when General William Henry Harrison brought 1,000 men to attack Prophetstown. Tenskwatawa ordered a attack against Harrison and his men. Harrison's soldiers held their ground, and it caused Tenskwatawa and his men to lose home on the "magic" that was there, and they fell back. Harrison won and destroyed Prophetstown, and the Indians quickly disbanded their confederation after the battle of Tippecanoe was a draw. -
General William Hull
General William Hull, a veteran of the Revolutionary War, and then governor of Michigan Territory, set 2,200 men against Canadian positions facing Detroit. He delayed his assault, hoping that the Canadian militia would desert, but his communications were threatened by Indians led by Tecumseh. He then retreated to Detroit, and when the Canadians pursued, he surrendered right away. -
The Start of the War of 1812
Napoleon continentals had made the manufacturers want to appeal orders in the council. Lord Castlereagh suspended orders on June 23. Five days earlier, the U.S. declared war on Britain. -
Battle of Lake Erie
The British navy controlled Lake Erie, making it nearly impossible for General Harrison to recapture Detroit. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry was assigned to build a fleet against the British navy in Lake Erie. Perry destroyed the British fleet, taking control of Lake Erie. British, then, could no longer support Detroit and fell back. General Harrison gave chase to the British and defeated them. -
Battle of Plattsburgh
A British army under George Prevost, entered New York State from Canada and advanced to Plattsburgh. Encounters between the British and the Americans commenced immediately. Then, a British naval force under Captain George Downie faced off with a smaller, American force under Master Commandant Thomas Macdonough. Downie was killed quickly, and the British retreated soon after. -
The battle of New Orleans
Although the battle of New Orleans was technically apart of the war, the battle did not need to happen due to the fact the Treaty of Ghent was already signed. However, the British gathered their army in Jamaica with an armada of 60 ships set for New Orleans. Andrew Jackson, the commander of the defenses of New Orleans, was alerted of the British coming from the maze of swamps. Jackson was able to get a victory because of his discipline on his troops and his concern for his troops. -
Attack on Washington D.C.
British troops marched toward Washington. They came up to General William H. Winder's army, which was twice the size of their own. When the British charged, Winder's army turned and ran away. The British advanced into the capital, burning down many public buildings, and finally setting fire to the White House. -
The Star Spangled Banner
The Star Spangled Banner was written by Francis Scott Key as he was detained on a British battle ship and watched the fight through the night. As it became daytime, he saw the flag was still flown over the town, and the bursting of the bombs in the air. This tune set to music eventually became the national anthem for the United States, and Francis thought that this was the turning point of the war. -
Treaty of Ghent
When making the treaty between the British and the Americans, the British demanded Northwest territory to be given to the Native Americans. Also, they wanted no concessions about impressment and neutral rights while also adding that American would yelled no territory. The Americans would not agree to the terms of the British, so they decided on a status quo ante bellum. This left things the way they were and eventually trade and impressment problems dies down. -
Citation for History Textbook
Carnes, Mark C., and John Arthur Garraty. The American Nation a History of the United States. Prentice Hall, 2012.
