Download January 8, 1815 Battle of New Orleans

January 8, 1815
Battle of New Orleans
The War of 1812 involved the United States and Great Britain. It came about because of the almost
constant wars between Britain and France. During these wars, Britain and France both tried to stop
the United States from trading with the other country. Decrees and orders were passed in both
Britain and France to force countries to comply with certain rules in order to be able to trade. If the
United States complied with the French rules, they were at risk from the Royal Navy. If the United
States complied with the British rules, they could be captured by the French.
In addition, Britain’s Royal Navy captured American citizens from merchant ships, using the excuse
that they were actually deserters from the British Navy. Britain would then press these Americans
into working on the British ships.
Another cause of tension was the fact that many Americans blamed the increased tension with the
Native Americans on the frontier in the Northwest Territory on the British.
Finally, President Madison signed a declaration of war against the British on June 18, 1812. Feelings
among Americans were divided concerning this event, but many Americans saw the problems as
something that needed to be addressed to defend the honor of America.
When the British defeated the French in 1814, the British were able to concentrate on the war in
the United States. Britain had wanted peace early in the war, but after France was defeated, they
hoped to actually win the war with the United States. After a time, however, British leaders advised
signing a peace treaty, which was signed at Ghent, in present-day Belgium on December 24, 1814.
It took so long for word of the signing of the treaty to reach the fighting forces in the United States
that the war continued into 1815. The Battle of New Orleans was actually fought after the peace
treaty was signed and is sometimes called “The Needless Battle” because of that fact.
The British were determined to take the city of New Orleans, which was located at the mouth of the
Mississippi River. Its strategic location made it an important city to control. The battle lasted only
about one-half hour, with an American victory and a British withdrawal. Although there were a few
other skirmishes, word of the peace treaty reached American troops before any other major battles
took place. The Battle of New Orleans is considered the last major battle of the War of 1812.
Try the multiple choice quiz on the following page to see how much you know about the Battle of
New Orleans. Research anything that you are not certain of. There is an answer key attached if you
get stuck.
©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
Underline the word(s) that complete the statements correctly.
1.
New Orleans is located in southeastern _________________.
Texas
2.
Louisiana
On December 1, 1814, Major General _________________ began to prepare New Orleans
for an attack from the British.
George Armstrong Custer
3.
Southwest
Jefferson Davis
son
The American soldiers set up their defense behind the _________________.
Driskill Mountain
Lake Charles
The American troops set up barricades made of dirt banks and _________________.
logs
8.
Marquis de Lafayette
slave
Rodriguez Canal
7.
Central States
The plantation owner’s _________________ escaped and warned the Americans that the
British were coming.
daughter
6.
Andrew Jackson
On December 23, 1814, British troops captured American militia at the plantation of
_________________.
Jacques Villeré
5.
Thomas Jefferson
The leader of the American troops was the commander of the U.S. Army of the
_________________.
Southeast
4.
Alabama
bales of hay
cotton bales
Fighting for the Americans were regular soldiers, militia, African Americans, Native
Americans, and even pirates led by _________________.
Blackbeard
Jean Laffite
Calico Jack
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9.
A separate group of soldiers manning cannons was led by Brigadier General
_________________.
David B. Morgan
10.
Sir George Prevost
William Thornton
Treaty of Paris
ten more days
twenty more days
The British suffered _________________ losses in the Battle of New Orleans as the
Americans did.
many fewer
15.
Treaty of Ghent
The British refused to leave the area for about _________________, but finally moved out of
the area of New Orleans.
one more month
14.
Robert Ross
News of the victory at New Orleans arrived in Washington, D.C. at about the same time as
the news of the _________________.
Defeat of France
13.
Sir Edward Pakenham
The leader of the British troops was killed in the attack and Major General
__________________ took command.
John Lambert
12.
Jacob Jennings Brown
The British troops were led by Lieutenant General _________________.
Henry Procter
11.
James Barron
about the same
many more
Because of the Battle of New Orleans, the American commander became a national hero and
was eventually elected the _________________ U.S. President.
sixth
tenth
seventh
©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com
Answer Key
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Louisiana
Andrew Jackson
Southwest
Jacques Villeré
son
Rodriguez Canal
cotton bales
Jean Laffite
David B. Morgan
Sir Edward Pakenham
John Lambert
Treaty of Ghent
ten more days
many more
seventh
©2016 Bonnie Rose Hudson WriteBonnieRose.com