Download The War of 1812

The War of 1812
Why did the United States go to war with Britain, and what was the outcome of that
war?
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In 1812, the United States found itself involved in a major war that tested its strength and the
solidarity of its people.
Americans managed to fight the war and get the country back on track in its aftermath.
Americans faced trouble from Native Americans.
• Shawnee warrior Tecumseh and his brother tried to unite Native Americans to fight American
expansion.
• Following victory at the Battle of Tippecanoe in 1811, William Henry Harrison burned
Prophetstown, Tecumseh’s village.
• Westerners blamed the British in Canada for arming the Indians, and demanded action.
In 1811, the War Hawks took the lead in Congress.
• They were led by John C. Calhoun of South Carolina and Henry Clay of Kentucky.
• They denounced Britain’s impressment of U.S. sailors and its support for Native Americans.
• They believed an invasion of Canada would stop British aid to the Indians and force Britain to
respect America at sea.
The War of 1812 began when Congress declared war in June 1812.
• But the nation was totally unprepared with only a small army and navy.
• Thomas Jefferson advised Madison that an invasion of Canada would be easy.
• He proved wrong and repeated attempts to invade Canada failed.
Early on the British were occupied in Europe, allowing several American victories
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The small American navy did surprisingly well.
• The U.S.S. Constitution defeated H.M.S. Guerrière
• Oliver Hazard Perry defeated a British fleet on Lake Erie.
 Americans won several victories against Native Americans.
• In 1813, Harrison killed Tecumseh who was aiding the British.
• But attacks on Canada failed
• In 1814, Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek in Alabama.
 Jackson defeated the Seminoles and seized a fort at Pensacola.
In 1814, Britain defeated France and then launched a four-part offensive in America.
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British troops occupied eastern Maine.
A second army invaded New York from Montreal but was turned back.
A third force invaded Maryland, burning Washington D.C., but failed to take Baltimore.
A fourth Army headed to New Orleans. They would be routed by Andrew Jackson.
The Treaty of Ghent ended the war.
• Both sides agreed to return to pre-war boundaries.
• A commission was set up to discuss any future boundary disputes.
• Impressment and American neutrality were not discussed.
Several events of the War of 1812 fostered American pride.
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The British failure to take Fort McHenry in Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write “The
Star-Spangled Banner.”
In January 1815, Andrew Jackson crushed the British in the Battle of New Orleans. The battle
took place after the war had officially ended. News of a treaty had not yet arrived.
The war was not popular with everyone.
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A group of Federalists held the Hartford Convention in December 1814 to consider secession and
making a separate peace with Britain.
After the Treaty of Ghent, these Federalists were discredited as traitors and by 1820,
the Federalist Party had disappeared.
The War of 1812: Causes and Effects
Causes
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British interfere with American shipping
British interfere with American expansion into the western frontier
Southerners want Florida, which is owned by Britain’s ally Spain
War Hawks want to expel Britain completely from North America
Effects
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Revealed need for a strong standing army
Encouraged American nationalism
Brought end to the Federalist Party
Shattered the strength of Native American resistance
Paved the way for American acquisition of Florida