War of 1812
A. Causes of the War
1. Britain and France at war
– Napoleonic wars start in early 1800s
– France and Britain are trying to cut one another off from trade
2. Britain Violates our Neutrality
– British capture US ships trading with France
– Stopping our ships to search them
– Americans were impressed (forced) to serve in the British Navy
3. The Chesapeake
– US merchant ship
– Refuse to be searched by British
– British open fire and seized 4 Americans
– US is outraged
4. British and Native American Alliance
– British are trying to rebuild old alliances on the frontier
– Tecumseh (NA leader) starts to unite Native Americans against the US
B. Declaring War
1. War Hawks
– Politicians in favor of war
– From the Western States
– Hated the British
2. Opposition to War
– New England Merchants did not want war with Britain
– Traded with Britain
– Did not want to lose business
3. War is Declared
– Congress pressures President Madison to declare war on Britain
– US declares war on Britain in June 1812
C. The War
1. Where fought
– On land and sea
– From Canada to Louisiana
2. Battles on Water
– US wins victories on the Atlantic Ocean and on the Great Lakes
3. Invading Canada
– US fails at invading Canada
– Pushed back by British and Native Americans
4. British Victories
– Make quick attacks on costal cities
– August 1814: British invade in Baltimore
– Burn parts of Washington DC including the White House
5. Winning the War
– US defeats the British in the Great Lakes Region
– Andrew Jackson defeats the British in the Battle of New Orleans and
becomes a war hero
D. Treaty of Ghent
• Ends the war
• Signed in December 1814
• Declared peace
• No one gains any land