Download War of 1812 Timeline The War of 1812 was fought between the

War of 1812 Timeline
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and the United Kingdom.
It is sometimes called the "Second War of Independence." The war began June
18, 1812 and ended February 18, 1815.
Causes of the War of 1812
There were several events that led up to the War of 1812. The United Kingdom
was engaged in a war against France and the armies of Napoleon. They had
placed trade restrictions on the United States, not wanting them to trade with
France. The navy of the United Kingdom also captured U.S. trade vessels and
forced the sailors to join the Royal Navy (this practice is known as
impressment). Finally, the United Kingdom supported Native American tribes in
an effort to prevent the United States from expanding to the west.
Who were the leaders?
The President of the United States during the war was James Madison. U.S.
military leaders included Andrew Jackson, Henry Dearborn, Winfield Scott, and
William Henry Harrison. The United Kingdom was led by the Prince Regent
(George IV) and Prime Minister Robert Jenkinson. British military leaders
included Isaac Brock, Gordon Drummond, and Charles de Salaberry.
U.S. Attacks Canada
On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on the United Kingdom. The
first thing the U.S. did was to attack the British colony of Canada. The invasion
did not go well. Inexperienced U.S. troops were easily defeated by the British and
the U.S. even lost the city of Detroit.
U.S. Gains Ground
Things began to turn around for the United States in 1813 with a decisive victory
in the Battle of Lake Erie on September 19, 1813. A few weeks later, William
Henry Harrison led the U.S. forces as they defeated a large Native American
force led by Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames.
The British Fight Back
In 1814, the British began to fight back. They used their superior navy to
blockade U.S. trade and to attack U.S. ports along the east coast. On August 24,
1814, British forces attacked Washington, D.C. They took control of Washington
and burnt down many buildings including the Capitol and the White House (it was
called the Presidential Mansion at the time).
Battle of Baltimore
The British were gaining ground in the war until the Battle of Baltimore which
lasted three days from September 12-15, 1814. Over several days, British ships
bombarded Fort McHenry in an effort to make their way to Baltimore. However,
U.S. troops were able to hold off the much larger British force, causing the British
to withdraw. This victory proved to be an important turning point in the war.
Battle of New Orleans
The final major battle of the War of 1812 was the Battle of New Orleans which
took place from December 24, 1814 to January 8, 1815. The British attacked
New Orleans hoping to take control of the port city. They were held off and
defeated by U.S. forces led by Andrew Jackson. The U.S. won a decisive victory
and forced the British out of Louisiana.
Peace
The U.S. and Great Britain signed a peace treaty called the Treaty of Ghent on
December 24, 1814. The U.S. Senate ratified the treaty on February 18, 1815.
Results
The war ended in a stalemate with neither side gaining ground. No borders were
changed as a result of the war. However, the end of the war did bring long-term
peace between the United States and the United Kingdom. It also brought about
an "Era of good feelings" in the United States.
Interesting Facts About the War of 1812
Different Native American tribes allied with both sides during the war. Most tribes
sided with the British including the Tecumseh Confederacy that allied several
tribes against the U.S. The Battle of Baltimore was the inspiration for a poem
written by Francis Scott Key that later became the lyrics for The Star-Spangled
Banner. The Treaty of Ghent was signed before the Battle of New Orleans, but
word of the treaty did not reach Louisiana before the battle. Dolly Madison, wife
of President James Madison, is often credited with saving a famous portrait of
George Washington from being destroyed when the British burned down the
White House.