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4
The War of 1812
MAIN IDEA
WHY IT MATTERS NOW
Angered by Britain’s interference in
the nation’s affairs, the United
States went to war.
CALIFORNIA STANDARDS
8.5.1 Understand the political and
economic causes and consequences
of the War of 1812 and know the
major battles, leaders, and events
that led to a final peace.
CST3 Students use a variety of
maps and documents to identify
physical and cultural features of
neighborhoods, cities, states, and
countries and to explain the historical migration of people, expansion
and disintegration of empires, and
the growth of economic systems.
HI2 Students understand and distinguish cause, effect, sequence, and
correlation in historical events,
including the long- and short-term
causal relations.
The War of 1812 showed that the
United States was willing and able
to protect its national interests.
TERMS & NAMES
Oliver Hazard
Perry
Francis Scott
Key
Battle of the
Thames
Treaty of Ghent
ONE AMERICAN’S STORY
The war between the United States and Britain had begun
in 1812. Two years later, British troops were marching
toward Washington, D.C. Dolley Madison, the president’s
wife, stayed behind until the last minute to save
important historical objects from the White House.
A V O I C E F R O M T H E PA S T
I have had [a wagon] filled with . . . the most valuable
portable articles belonging to the house. . . . I insist on
waiting until the large picture of General Washington
is secured.
Dolley Madison, from a letter sent to her sister
When the British troops arrived in the city, they set
fire to many public buildings, including the White
House and the Capitol. You will learn about other
events of the War of 1812 in this section.
Before British troops
set fire to the
president’s mansion,
Dolley Madison
saved priceless
historical objects.
The War Begins
Taking Notes
Use your chart to
take notes about
the War of 1812.
The Jefferson Era
Summaries
Main Idea: .
Details:
Main Idea:
Details:
Main Idea:
Details:
Main Idea:
Details:
330 CHAPTER 10
Britain did not really want a war with the United States because it was
already involved in another war with France. To try to avoid war, the
British announced that they would no longer interfere with American
shipping. But the slow mails of the day prevented this news from reaching
the United States until weeks after June 18th, when Congress approved
Madison’s request for a declaration of war.
The War of 1812 had two main phases. From 1812 to 1814, Britain
concentrated on its war against France. It devoted little energy to the conflict in North America, although it did send ships to blockade the
American coast. The second phase of the war began after the British
defeated France in April 1814. With their European war nearly at an end,
the British could turn their complete attention to the United States.
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The United States military was weak when the war was declared.
Democratic-Republicans had reduced the size of the armed forces.
When the war began, the Navy had only about 16 ships. The army had
fewer than 7,000 men. These men were poorly trained and equipped,
and were often led by inexperienced officers. A young Virginia army
officer complained that the older officers were victims of “sloth, ignorance, or habits of [excessive] drinking.”
The First Phase of the War
In spite of its small size, the United States Navy rose to the challenge.
Its warships were the fastest afloat. American naval officers had gained
valuable experience fighting pirates in the Mediterranean Sea. Early in
the war, before the British blockaded the coast, ships such as the
Constitution and the United States won stirring victories. These victories
on the high seas boosted American confidence.
The most important U.S. naval victory took place on Lake Erie. In
the winter of 1812-1813, the Americans had begun to build a fleet on
the shores of Lake Erie. Oliver Hazard Perry, an experienced officer,
took charge of this infant fleet. In September 1813, the small British
force on the lake set out to attack the American ships. Commodore
Perry, who had predicted that this would be “the most important day of
my life,” sailed out to meet the enemy. Perry’s ship, the Lawrence, flew a
banner declaring, “Don’t give up the ship.”
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ATLANTIC
OCEAN
22. Lake Erie. Perry’s fleet defeats a British
fleet, 1813
3.
3 Thames River. Harrison defeats British
in Canada, killing Tecumseh, 1813
44. Washington, D.C. British burn the
capital but later fail to capture nearby
Baltimore, 1814
55. Lake Champlain. American ships
defeat British, who retreat to Canada,
1814
66. New Orleans. Jackson’s army defeats
British in Battle of New Orleans, 1815
GEOGRAPHY SKILLBUILDER
Interpreting Maps
1. Location Where was Fort McHenry located?
2. Movement Which battle required American
troops to march into Canada?
(Spanish)
70°W
80°W
Gulf of Mexico
90°W
New
30°N Orleans
American coast, 1813
American forces
British forces
American victory
British victory
Fort
Alab
am
11. Atlantic Ocean. British navy blockades
R.I.
GEORGIA
Horseshoe Bend
500 Kilometers
BATTLES OF THE WAR
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MISSISSIPPI
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Washington D.C.
KENTUCKY
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250 Miles
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.
The War of 1812
Skillbuilder
Answers
1. in Baltimore,
Maryland; near the
Chesapeake Bay
2. the Battle of the
Thames River
331
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For two hours, the British and Americans exchanged cannon shots.
Perry’s ship was demolished and the guns put out of action. He grabbed
his ship’s banner and leaped into a rowboat. Under British fire, he and four
companions rowed to another ship. In command of the second ship, Perry
destroyed two of the enemy’s ships and soon forced the British
“Don’t give up to surrender. After the battle, Perry sent a message to General
Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”
the ship.”
When General Harrison received Perry’s note, he set out to
Banner on Perry’s
attack the British. But when Harrison transported his army
ship, the Lawrence
across Lake Erie to Detroit, he discovered that the British had
retreated into Canada. Harrison pursued the British forces and defeated
them at the Battle of the Thames in October. This victory put an end to
the British threat to the Northwest—and also claimed the life of
Tecumseh, who died in the battle fighting for the British.
The Second Phase of the War
After defeating Napoleon in April 1814, Britain turned its full attention to
the United States. As you read in One American’s Story, British forces
burned the Capitol building and the president’s mansion in August. The
British then attacked Fort McHenry at Baltimore.
The commander of Fort McHenry had earlier
requested a flag “so large that the British will have no
difficulty in seeing it.” Detained on a British ship, a
Washington lawyer named Francis Scott Key watched
THE STAR-SPANGLED
the all-night battle. At dawn, Key discovered that the
BANNER
flag was still flying. He expressed his pride in what
The “Star-Spangled Banner,”
became the U.S. national anthem.
inspired by the flag that flew
over Fort McHenry (see below),
continues to move Americans.
On hearing this national
anthem, patriotic listeners
stand, take off their hats, and
put their hands over their
hearts. These actions pay
respect to the American flag
and the song that celebrates it.
Francis Scott Key’s song
enjoyed widespread popularity
for more than 100 years before
an act of Congress made it the
national anthem in 1931.
332 CHAPTER 10
A. Drawing
Conclusions
What was the
overall result of
the Battle of the
Thames?
A. Possible
Response The victory put an end
to the British
threat from the
Northwest.
A V O I C E F R O M T H E PA S T
Oh say can you see by the dawn’s early light
What so proudly we hail’d at the twilight’s last gleaming,
Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight
O’er the ramparts we watch’d were so gallantly streaming?
And the rockets’ red glare, the bombs bursting in air,
Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.
Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave?
Francis Scott Key, Star-Spangled Banner
Meanwhile, in the north, the British sent a force from
Canada across Lake Champlain. Its goal was to push
south and cut off New England. The plan failed when
the American fleet defeated the British in the Battle of
Lake Champlain in September 1814.
In the south, the British moved against the strategic
port of New Orleans. In December 1814, dozens of ships
carrying 7,500 British troops approached Louisiana. To
fight them, the Americans patched together an army
under the command of General Andrew Jackson.
B. Reading a Map
Locate the battles of the second
phase of the war
on the map on
page 331. Note
how far apart the
sites were.
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C. Making
Inferences Why
did Jackson fight
the British at
New Orleans
after a peace
treaty was
signed?
C. Possible
Response
because slow
mails delayed
news of the treaty
Section
4
The British attacked Jackson’s forces on January 8, 1815. Protected by
earthworks, American riflemen mowed down the advancing redcoats. It
was a great victory for Jackson. American casualties totaled 71, compared
to Britain’s 2,000. Though the Battle of New Orleans made Jackson a
hero, it was unnecessary. Slow mails from Europe had delayed news of the
Treaty of Ghent, which ended the War of 1812. It had been signed two
weeks earlier, on December 24, 1814.
The Legacy of the War
The treaty showed that the war had no clear winner. No territory Skillbuilder Answer
changed hands, and trade disputes were left unresolved. Still, the war U.S. manufacturing
had important consequences. First, the heroic exploits of men such as grew.
Andrew Jackson and Oliver Perry
The Effects of the War
increased American patriotism.
Second, the war broke the strength
of Native Americans, who had
WAR
sided with the British. Finally,
when war interrupted trade, the
Americans were forced to make
many of the goods they had previU.S.
Increased
Weakened
manufacturing
American
Native American
ously imported. This encouraged
grew
patriotism
resistance
the growth of U.S. manufactures.
The United States had also proved
that it could defend itself against the
mightiest military power of the era.
For perhaps the first time, Americans
believed that the young nation would
SKILLBUILDER Interpreting Charts
survive and prosper. You will learn
Which effect do you think resulted from the war’s
about the country’s growing prosperinterruption of U.S. trade?
ity in Chapter 11.
Assessment
1. Terms & Names
2. Using Graphics
Use a chart like the one
Explain the
shown to record military
significance of:
• Oliver Hazard Perry events of the War of 1812.
First Phase
Second Phase
• Battle of the
of War
of War
Thames
1.
2.
• Francis Scott Key
• Treaty of Ghent
Why was the war divided
into two phases? (CST1)
3. Main Ideas
4. Critical Thinking
a. What was the state of the
U.S. military when the war
began? (HI1)
Recognizing Effects What
was the legacy of the War of
1812? (HI2)
b. What were the results of
General Harrison’s victory at
the Battle of the Thames?
(HI2)
THINK ABOUT
• Americans’ feelings
toward their country
• U.S. relations with Native
Americans
• possible economic effects
c. Where did the British focus
their attacks during the second phase of the war? (HI1)
ACTIVITY OPTIONS
LANGUAGE ARTS
ART
Research the U.S.S. Constitution. Write a poem to commemorate one of its
victories or design a model to show its parts. (REP1)
The Jefferson Era
333
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VISUAL
SUMMARY
The Jefferson Era
(CST2)
Chapter
10
ASSESSMENT
TERMS & NAMES
Briefly explain the
significance of each
of the following:
1. Marbury v. Madison
2. judicial review
3. Louisiana Purchase
4. Lewis and Clark expedition
CRITICAL THINKING
1. USING YOUR NOTES:
SUMMARIZING
Using your completed chart,
answer the questions below. (HI1)
The Jefferson Era
Summaries
Main Idea: Thomas Jefferson is elected president.
Details: Jefferson replaces Federalist policies with his own but has problems with the judiciary.
Main Idea:
Details:
Main Idea:
Details:
Main Idea:
Details:
5. impressment
6. Embargo Act of 1807
7. Tecumseh
8. War Hawk
Jefferson Takes Office
Thomas Jefferson and his party,
the Democratic-Republicans, win
control of the government from
the Federalists.
The Louisiana Purchase
and Exploration
After Jefferson purchases
Louisiana from France, Lewis
and Clark are sent to explore
the new American territory.
Problems with
Foreign Powers
Other countries’ interference
makes it difficult for Jefferson
to stay out of foreign affairs.
The War of 1812
When Britain continues to
interfere in American affairs,
the two nations battle in the
War of 1812.
9. Oliver Hazard Perry
10. Treaty of Ghent
b. Based on these events, how
would you describe the
characteristics of the era?
2. ANALYZING LEADERSHIP
REVIEW QUESTIONS
Jefferson Takes Office
(pages 313–317)
1. What were the main parties in
the election of 1800, and how
did their views differ? (HI1)
2. How did Jefferson envision the
future of America? (HI1)
How do you think Thomas
Jefferson’s behavior as president
might have affected the way future
presidents viewed the office? (CST1)
3. THEME: EXPANSION
How did the expansion of the
United States affect its foreign
policy? (HI2)
4. RECOGNIZING PROPAGANDA
The Louisiana Purchase and
Exploration (pages 318–325)
3. What was the extent of U.S.
territory after the Louisiana
Purchase? (CST3)
Before elections, supporters of
different candidates sometimes
make outrageous claims. How was
the election of 1800 an example
of this? (REP4)
4. What difficulties did Lewis and
Clark face on their expedition?
5. APPLYING CITIZENSHIP SKILLS
(HI1)
5. What troubles did Zebulon Pike
have on his 1806-1807 trip? (HI1)
Problems with Foreign Powers
(pages 326–329)
6. Why did Jefferson have
difficulty staying out of
foreign affairs? (HI2)
7. How did Tecumseh intend to
prevent the loss of Native
American land? (HI1)
8. What were some of the causes
of the War of 1812? (HI2)
The War of 1812
(pages 330–333)
9. Which battle ended the British
threat to the U.S. Northwest? (HI2)
334 CHAPTER 10
a. What were the major events of
the Jefferson era?
10. What event preceded the second
phase of the war? (HI2)
In what ways did Jefferson’s behavior as president reflect his idea of
good citizenship? (HI1)
Interact with History
How did the dangers you predicted
before you read the chapter compare to those experienced by
people on expeditions west?
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STANDARDS-BASED ASSESSMENT
Use the graph and your knowledge of U.S. history
to answer questions 1 and 2.
A. 1800–1802
Additional Test Practice, pp. S1–S33.
B. 1804–1806
Foreign Trade, 1800–1812
C. 1806–1808
D. 1810–1812
Millions of dollars
150
120
This quotation from Thomas Jefferson is about political parties. Use the quotation and your knowledge
of U.S. history to answer question 3.
90
P R I M A RY S O U R C E
60
30
0
2. Between which years did the value of U.S. trade
decrease dramatically? (8.4.3)
180
0
180
Imports
2
180
180
4
6
180
8
181
0
181
2
Exports
Source: The Emergence of a National
Economy, by Curtis Nettels
1. What was the value of imports in 1812? (8.4.3)
A. about 30 million dollars
B. about 40 million dollars
C. about 60 million dollars
D. about 70 million dollars
Let us, then, fellow-citizens, unite with one heart and
one mind. . . . Every difference of opinion is a difference of principle. . . . We are all Republicans, we are
all Federalists.
Thomas Jefferson, First Inaugural Address
3. Which of the following statements best summarizes Jefferson’s point of view? (8.4.2)
A. Political parties are divisive and should be
dissolved.
B. A new party, the Republican-Federalist party,
should be formed.
C. Political parties should cooperate on issues of
government.
D. The Republican party should be dissolved.
TEST PRACTICE
CL ASSZONE .COM
ALTERNATIVE ASSESSMENT
INTEGRATED TECHNOLOGY
1.
CREATING A MULTIMEDIA PRESENTATION
WRITING ABOUT HISTORY
Suppose you are John Adams and the year is 1800.
Thomas Jefferson is ending many of the Federalist programs that you initiated while president. Write a letter
to a friend that describes your distress. (REP5)
• Use library resources to find the programs that
Jefferson eliminated and write about them.
• Find quotations that convey Adams’s emotions.
Use the Internet, books, and other reference materials
to create a multimedia presentation about one of the
major battles of the War of 1812. (HI1)
• Using the Internet and resources in the library, find
written descriptions of the battle, paintings of the
battle, pictures of weaponry, battle statistics, and
music from the time period.
• Present your findings to the class in a multimedia
2. COOPERATIVE LEARNING
Work with two other students to develop a plan to
end British interference with U.S. shipping. Have one
student represent shippers, another represent farmers,
and the third represent citizens who are demanding
war. Discuss the interests of these groups and possible
compromises. Then write a policy statement. (HI1)
presentation. Consider adding sound effects to
enhance the presentation.
For more about the War of 1812 . . .
INTERNET ACTIVITY
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The Jefferson Era
335