War of 1812
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and the United Kingdom. It is sometimes called the "Second
War of Independence.”
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.
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 future presidents Andrew Jackson and William Henry
Harrison as well as generals Henry Dearborn and Winfield Scott. 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 on 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 17, 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
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Different Native American tribes allied with both sides during the war.
Most tribes sided with the British including the Tecumseh Confederacy,
which 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.
Questions
1) What country did the United States fight in the War of 1812?
a) France
d) United Kingdom
b) Spain
e) All of the above
c) Mexico
2) Who was President of the United States during the War of 1812?
a) James Madison
d) James Monroe
b) John Adams
e) George Washington
c) Thomas Jefferson
3) True or False: The Presidential Mansion (the White House) was burnt down during the war.
a) TRUE
b) FALSE
4) Where did the United States first attack when the war began?
a) London
d) Canada
b) India
e) Mexico
c) Ireland
5) What U.S. general defeated a large Native American force led by Tecumseh at the Battle of the Thames?
a) George Washington
d) Andrew Jackson
b) William Henry Harrison
e) Ulysses S. Grant
c) Robert E. Lee
6) What battle proved to be the inspiration for the Star-Spangled Banner?
a) Battle of Gettysburg
d) Battle of Montreal
b) Battle of Detroit
e) Battle of Baltimore
c) Battle of New Orleans
7) What was the name of the treaty that ended the war?
a) Treaty of Paris
d) Treaty of Limits
b) Oregon Treaty
e) Treaty of Greenville
c) Treaty of Ghent
8) Which of the following was one of the causes that led to the War of 1812?
a) The attack on Pearl Harbor
c) Assassination of Archduke Ferdinand
b) Trade restrictions placed on the U.S. by the
d) All of the above
United Kingdom
e) None of the above
9) True or False: The Battle of New Orleans took place after the War of 1812 officially ended.
a) TRUE
b) FALSE
10) Around how long did the War of 1812 last?
a) 1 year
d) 10 years
b) 3 years
e) 15 years
c) 7 years