The War of 1812

The War of 1812

• The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to February 1815.
• The war was seen as a "second war of independence" by many Americans.

Causes of the War of 1812

• The war resulted from Britain and France's attempts to restrict U.S. trade and America's desire to expand its territory westward.
• The British Royal Navy's use of impressment, the forced removal of American seamen from merchant vessels, outraged the U.S.

James Madison's Role in the War

• James Madison, the 4th President of the United States, signed a declaration of war against Britain in 1812.
• Madison was known as the "Father of the Constitution" for his role in drafting the document.

The War of 1812 Summary

• The war was complex and initially saw both sides confident of a quick resolution before settling into a protracted stalemate.
• The war lasted from June 1812 to February 1815.

The Decisions Leading to the War of 1812

• Great Britain was locked in a war with France, and both countries tried to cut off supplies to the other, leading to restrictions on U.S. trade.
• The British Royal Navy's impressment of American seamen further outraged the U.S.

Native American Involvement in the War

• Native American peoples feared further colonial encroachment and sought coalition and leadership.
• The Shawnee brothers Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa rallied others to form a Native American confederation to counter America's expansion.

The Battle of Tippecanoe

• The Battle of Tippecanoe was fought in 1811, where Indiana territorial governor William Henry Harrison led a militia against Tecumseh in the Native American settlement of Prophetstown.

The War Hawks and the Declaration of War

• A small group of congressmen, known as the "War Hawks," led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, pressured Madison to declare war on Britain.
• Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain on June 18, 1812.

The First Invasion in the War of 1812

• The U.S. planned to capture British-occupied Canada, but the invasion failed due to under-trained and under-equipped troops.
• Britain had more resources to fight both France and the U.S.

The Battle of Lake Erie

• The Battle of Lake Erie was a significant naval victory for the U.S., where Commodore Oliver Perry led nine U.S. Navy vessels to defeat and capture six British vessels.
• The victory ensured continued American control of Lake Erie for the remainder of the war.

The Burning of Washington and the Defense of Fort McHenry

• British and Canadian forces raided Chesapeake Bay and captured Washington, D.C., burning the city, including the U.S. Capitol.
• The British launched an assault on Baltimore, but American forces at Fort McHenry withstood the attack, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

The Battle of New Orleans

• The British set their sights on capturing the port city of New Orleans, but were met by a staunch defense led by Andrew Jackson.
• The Battle of New Orleans was the most significant land victory for the American side of the war, although it occurred after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed.

The Treaty of Ghent and the End of the War

• The Treaty of Ghent was signed by both sides on December 24, 1814, ending the war.
• The treaty largely restored the pre-war status quo, with borders restored and prisoners exchanged.

Impact of the War of 1812

• The war had several important impacts, including the decline of Native American power to defend against westward colonial expansion.
• The war caused the collapse of the Federalist Party, and ushered in a new era of positive relations with Great Britain.
• The war marked a shift in the United States' international relations, with the country moving from frequent belligerents to strong allies with Great Britain.