The War of 1812 PDF

The War of 1812 Guide to Reading Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn Beginning in 1812 the United States Taking Notes As you read the sec- how the Briti...

The War of 1812 Guide to Reading Main Idea Reading Strategy Read to Learn Beginning in 1812 the United States Taking Notes As you read the sec- how the British seized and set fire was at war with Britain. Fighting took tion, re-create the diagram below and to Washington, D.C. place in the United States, in Canada, in the boxes describe each battle’s why Andrew Jackson fought a bat- and at sea. outcome. tle after the war was over. Key Terms Battle Outcome Section Theme frigate, privateer Lake Erie Government and Democracy The Washington, D.C. end of the War of 1812 produced a New Orleans new spirit of nationalism. Preview of Events ✦1812 ✦1813 ✦1814 ✦1815 June 1812 September 1813 August 1814 January 1815 United States declares Perry defeats the British The British burn American forces win the war on Britain navy on Lake Erie Washington, D.C. Battle of New Orleans While President Madison awarded peace medals to Native Americans who supported the United States against the British, Congressional War Hawks could be heard singing: Ye Parliaments of England, You’re now at war with Yankees, Ye lords and commons, too, And I’m sure you’ll rue the day Consider well what you’re about, Ye roused the sons of liberty, And what you’re goin’ to do; In North Americay. Madison peace medal War Begins Despite their swaggering songs, the War Hawks did not achieve the quick victory they boldly predicted. The Americans committed a series of blunders that showed how unprepared they were for war. The regular army now con- sisted of fewer than 7,000 troops. The states had between 50,000 and 100,000 militia, but the units were poorly trained, and many states opposed “Mr. Madi- son’s war.” The military commanders, veterans of the American Revolution, were too old for warfare, and the government in Washington provided no lead- ership. The Americans also underestimated the strength of the British and their Native American allies. 296 CHAPTER 9 The Jefferson Era  The war started in July 1812, when General With Lake Erie in American hands, the British William Hull led the American army from and their Native American allies tried to pull back Detroit into Canada. Hull was met by Tecumseh from the Detroit area. Harrison and his troops cut and his warriors. Fearing a massacre by the them off. In the fierce Battle of the Thames on Native Americans, Hull surrendered Detroit to a October 5, the great leader Tecumseh was killed. small British force in August. Another attempt The Americans also attacked the town of York by General William Henry Harrison was unsuc- (present-day Toronto, Canada), burning the par- cessful as well. Harrison decided that the Amer- liament buildings. Canada remained uncon- icans could make no headway in Canada as long quered, but by the end of 1813 the Americans as the British controlled Lake Erie. had won some victories on land and at sea. To lower the national debt, the Republicans Naval Battles had reduced the size of the navy. However, the Oliver Hazard Perry, commander of the Lake navy still boasted three of the fastest frigates, or Erie naval forces, had his orders. He was to warships, afloat. Americans exulted when the assemble a fleet and seize the lake from the Constitution, one of these frigates, destroyed two British. From his headquarters in Put-in-Bay, British vessels—the Guerrière in August 1812 and Ohio, Perry could watch the movements of the the Java four months later. After seeing a shot enemy ships. The showdown came on Septem- bounce off the Constitution’s hull during battle, a ber 10, 1813, when the British ships sailed out to sailor nicknamed the ship “Old Ironsides.” face the Americans. In the bloody battle that fol- American privateers, armed private ships, lowed, Perry and his ships defeated the British also staged spectacular attacks on British ships naval force. After the battle, Perry sent General and captured numerous vessels. These victories William Henry Harrison the message, “We have were more important for morale than for their met the enemy and they are ours.” strategic value. Analyzing Political Cartoons The cartoon shows Brother Jonathan forcing John Bull to drink a tankard of American medicine. Brother Jonathan was used to represent Americans in many cartoons, beginning with the American Revolution. Why is the name “Perry” on the tankard? A B A John Bull represents Britain B Brother Jonathan represents the United States CHAPTER 9 The Jefferson Era 297  Setbacks for Native Americans The British Offensive With the death of Tecumseh in 1813, hopes for British fortunes improved in the spring of a Native American confederation died. In his 1814. They had been fighting a war with travels two years before his death, Tecumseh Napoleon and had won. Now they could send had discussed plans for a confederation with the more forces to America. Creeks in the Mississippi Territory. In March 1814, a lanky Tennessee planter Attack on Washington, D.C. named Andrew Jackson attacked the Creeks. In August 1814, the British sailed into Chesa- Jackson’s forces slaughtered more than 550 of peake Bay. Their destination was Washington, the Creek people. Known as the Battle of Horse- D.C. On the outskirts of Washington, D.C., the shoe Bend, the defeat broke the Creeks’ resist- British troops quickly overpowered the Ameri- ance and forced them to give up most of their can militia and then marched into the city. “They lands to the United States. proceeded, without a moment’s delay, to burn and destroy everything in the most distant Evaluating Do you think the United degree connected with government,” reported a States was prepared to wage war? Explain. British officer. In The War of 1812 Motion Lake MAINE R. Superior Montreal ce (Mass.) en IND. CANADA wr La TERR. La k Lake 0 300 miles. St n York 5 Champlain e ga H (Toronto) VT. 0 300 kilometers chi uro a ri o N.H. Albers Conic Equal-Area projection Lak e Mi MICH. e Ont n ILL. Lak TERR. TERR. Ft. Niagara MASS. 3 N.Y. Ft. Detroit 1 The British navy blockades R.I. 40°N the coast, 1812 Ft. Dearborn Lake Erie 2 PA. CONN. sh R. N.J. N 2 Perry defeats the British on aba Ft. McHenry Baltimore Fort W Lake Erie, 1813 E IND. W American forces OHIO DEL. S TERR. 4 3 Harrison defeats British and R. Washington, D.C. MD. io Native American forces at British forces Oh Chesapeake the Battle of Thames, 1813 VA. KY. Bay ATlantic American victory OCEaN 4 The British burn Washington, D.C. Americans recapture the R. British victory TENN. N.C. city and defeat the British ppi at Ft. McHenry, 1814 s si 1 s si British naval Mi 70°W blockade 5 Americans win the Battle of Horseshoe S.C. Lake Champlain, 1814 Bend GA. 6 Jackson defeats the British MISS. at New Orleans, 1815 TERR. LA. Pensacola 6 New Orleans FLA. (Spanish) 1. Movement How did the British navy strengthen Gulf of Mexico the British land troops? 90°W 2. Analyzing Information Who won the Battle of New Orleans? 298