Download Section 4 The War of 1812

Chapter 11 - Section 4 – The War of 1812
*Objectives*
 (1e) – Describe and explain the role of the Founding Fathers.
 (2c) – Describe the purpose, challenges, and economic incentives associated
with the Lewis and Clark expedition.
 (3a) – Examine the exploration and colonization periods of the U.S. using
social studies tools.
 (6b) – Assess the importance of certain character traits in a democracy.
On August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution met the British ship Guerriere off
the coast of Nova Scotia. The crews on both ships scrambled across the decks as the
vessels circled each other. An observer said the Constitution’s first cannon blast
rocked the Guerriere like “the shock of an earthquake.” When the British returned
fire, a U.S. sailor saw a cannonball bounce off the side of the Constitution. This was
the first battle victory for the U.S. in the War of 1812.
The Constitution’s triumph over the Guerriere shocked many observers who
expected the British to sweep the U.S. Navy from the seas. When the War of 1812
began, the British navy had hundreds of ships stationed around the world. In
contrast, the U.S. Navy had fewer than 20. We have already learned that the British
had a very strong Navy. Republican Adam Seybert declared, “We cannot compete
with Great Britain on the ocean.”
Although outnumbered, the United States did have some advantages. The
U.S. government licensed privately owned ships to attack British merchants ships.
Equipping and operating these privateers cost less than building more naval ships.
The privateers captured hundreds of British ships.
Most of the British navy’s ships were scattered around the globe and could
not be called away to fight the United States. The U.S. Navy had well-trained sailors
and new warships such as the Constitution. These well-built vessels carried more
cannons than most British ships of the same size. U.S. captains proved their skill
and the power of their ships early in the war, several times defeating British ships in
one-on-one duels. These victories embarrassed the British and raised American
morale. Eventually, the British brought more ships to the American coast. They
began patrolling in large groups that the smaller U.S. Navy could not fight. The
British blockaded American seaports and captured many American merchant ships.
Hoping to equal the early success of the U.S. Navy, American leaders planned
to invade Canada with three separate armies. U.S. troops didn’t think this would be
a very tough battle but these hopes were soon dashed. In July 1812 the British
joined with American Indians to defeat an American army. The other American
forces had to retreat when militia members refused to cross the Canadian border.
By the end of 1812, Britain controlled the strategic Great Lakes region.
In 1813, the U.S. struck back. In late April, U.S. troops burned the Canadian
capital, York. Then, the U.S. moved to break Britain’s control of Lake Erie. The
Battle of Lake Erie lasted more than three hours, and both sides suffered heavy
casualties. Finally, the British surrendered. The United States victory forced the
British to withdraw and gave the U.S. Army new hope.
The U.S. went on to win several more battles along the western frontier. But,
despite these successes on the western and southern frontiers, the situation in the
East grew worse. Having defeated France in April 1814, the British sent more
troops to America. They also strengthened their blockade of Atlantic seaports. Now
reinforced, the British moved to attack the U.S. capital. President Madison and most
of his cabinet were forced to flee when the British broke through U.S. defenses. The
British marched onward into the city setting fire to the White House and other
government buildings.
New England Federalists gathered at Hartford, Connecticut, to oppose the
war. This gathering became known as the Hartford Convention. Some delegates to
the convention wanted New England to withdraw from the United States. However,
moderate members convinced the convention to send a delegation to meet with
Congress to try to increase states’ rights.
The peace agreement that caught the Federalists by surprise was the Treaty
of Ghent. It had been signed in Belgium on December 24, 1814. After months of
frustrating negotiations, U.S. and British diplomats finally agreed to end the war.
Each nation returned the territory it had conquered. However, the diplomats found
no solutions to the problems of impressment or trade embargos. Both sides agreed
to address the remaining issues once there was peace. For the United States, the
War of 1812 was a narrow escape from potential disaster. But Americans were
proud that their young nation had stood up to the mighty British.