The War of 1812

Ch. 10, Section 4

Main Idea:*Angered by Britain’s interference

in the nation’s affairs, the U.S. went to war.

Why It Matters Now:*The War of 1812 showed that the

U.S. was willing and able to protect its national interests.

The War Begins*Congress declared war on Britain -

June 18, 1812.*Britain tried to avoid war by

announcing to no longer interfere with American shipping.

*What happened????? Mail was too slow back then!

*The news did not reach the U.S. until weeks after war was declared!

*War of 1812: Two phases-Phase 1 (1812-1814): Britain

concentrated on its war against France. Devoted little energy to war in N.A. but did send ships to blockade American coast.

-Phase 2 (1814): Began after the British defeated France in April 1814. With European war nearly over, Britain could turn complete attention to U.S.

French Ruler – Napoleon Bonaparte

British Ruler – King George III

*U.S. military weak. *Dem-Rep. had reduced sized of armed

forces.*Army had < 7,000 men, poorly trained

& equipped*Navy had 16 ships*U.S still rose to the challenge!!!*Fasted warships w/experienced naval

officers*Ships Constitution & United States won

victories and boosted American confidence!

*Most important naval victory: -Winter of 1812-1813 built small

fleet on Lake Erie-Oliver Hazard Perry experience

officer in charge of infant fleet-Sept. 1813, British force on lake set

out to attack American ships-Perry sailed out to meet the enemy!

Oliver Perry Hazard

-2 hrs. exchanged cannon fire. Ship destroyed.

-Perry rowed to another ship, destroyed two British ships, and the British surrendered!

*British retreated to Canada!*General Harrison and his army

pursued the British and defeated them at the Battle of Thames in Oct.

*This victory put an end to British threat in the Northwest & killed Tecumseh.

The Second Phase of the War

*Defeated Napoleon (France) in 1814.*Full attention on U.S. now*Burned the Capitol building & pres.

mansion*Then attacked Ft. McHenry at

Baltimore, MD*Detained on British ship, lawyer Francis

Scott Key watched the battle.-At dawn, saw the flag still flying.

Expressed his pride in what later became the national anthem.

*British goal to cut off New England failed.

*In South, British approached port of New Orleans.

*Dec. 1814, dozens of British ships carrying 7,500 troops approached Louisiana.

*Americans put together an army under the command of General Andrew Jackson

*British attacked Jan. 8, 1815*American riflemen mowed down

advancing redcoats

Andrew Jackson

*Great victory for Jackson!*Casualties: Americans – 71 British –

2,000*Battle of New Orleans made

Jackson a hero!*The battle was NOT necessary!

What????*BLAME it on SLOW mail again!!!

*Treaty of Ghent had been signed two weeks earlier –

Dec. 24, 1814

The Legacy of War*Treaty showed there was NO CLEAR

WINNER!*HOW????-No territory changed hands-Trade disputes left unresolved*Did have important consequences:-Increased American patriotism-War broke the strength of Native

Americans-Encouraged growth of U.S.

manufacturing

THE U.S. HAD PROVED THAT IT COULD DEFEND ITSELF AGAINST THE MIGHTIEST MILITARY POWER OF THE TIME.

FOR MANY, AMERICANS BELIEVED THAT THE YOUND NATION WOULD SURVIVE AND PROSPER!!!!