War of 1812

Eagle is challenged Called “Second War for Independence”

Causes of the War of 1812

1. Freedom of the Seas• neutrals had the right to

trade with anyone

• France and England did not accept this - @ war!

• both need American aid

• demanded exclusive rights

Causes of the War of 1812

2. Impressment of Sailors• merchant ships were being stopped by British

Royal Navy

• taking British sailors off of American ships

• would “impress” Am. Sailors into the Royal Navy

Causes of the War of 1812

3. Land Crazed War Hawks• wanted more land for America

expansion

• Midwest was “Great American Dessert”

• British Canada and Spanish Florida

• willing to go to war

• Henry “Henry of the West” Clay - Kentucky

• John C. Calhoun - S. Carolina

John C. Calhoun

Causes of the War of 1812

4. Trouble on the Frontier• Shawnee Tecumseh and brother, Tenskwatawa

“the Prophet”• envisioned Indian confederation to prevent

westward expansion in Ohio River Valley• large army of braves gathered @

Tippecanoe/Wabash River• Gen. William Henry Harrison meet Indians• defeated Indians and destroyed The Prophet’s

town• Battle of Tippecanoe / “Old Tippecanoe”

Tecumseh

• Congress calls movement a British scheme

• supplying Indians with weapons

Battle of Tippecanoe

Causes of the War of 1812

4. National Honor• restricting freedom of seas and impressment

challenged Am. Honor

• fighting for respect

• national honor at stake

War of 1812

President Madison Declared War• pushed by House Speaker Henry Clay

• in his address to Congress

• impressment

• interference with neutral commerce

• British alliances with western tribes

• failed to mention real reasons

• Am. Independence and honor

• desire for more land - Canada

Pres.. Madison

War of 1812

America is not ready for war• army of only 12,000

• West Point had not produced enough officers

• turned to state militia U.S navy small compared to Royal Navy

War of 1812

Divided nation• war support came from

• west and land hungry southerners

• anti -war fever from

• New England States

• called it “Mr. Madison’s War”

• had important economic ties with British

Important Battles

War of

1812

War of 1812

Invasion of Canada fails• Am. Troops meet British troops @

Detroit

• Indians join British forces

• surround Am. Army @ Detroit

• Am. Surrender without a fight

• days before Indians massacred Am. @ Fort Dearborn

• lost control of Northwest Territory

War of 1812

U.S.S. Constitution

Naval Victories bolster morale1. U.S.S. Constitution “Old Ironsides”

defeat British ship Guerriere

2. Captain Oliver Hazard Perry

• defeated small British fleet on Lake Erie

• 3 hr battle

• “We have met the enemy, and they are ours.”

• US controls strategic water way

Captain Oliver Perry

War of 1812

Battle of Thames• Gen. William Henry Harrison on the march• defeated British and Indian forces• Tecumeseh is killed - ends hope of Indian

unity• win back Northwest Territory• marches onto York (Toronto)• burns capital of Canada to the ground• including Parliament building

War of 1812

Battle of Horseshoe Bend• Gen. Andrew Jackson

fighting the Creek Indians• decisive victory in

Alabama• opens the door for

Southern states to expand later

War of 1812

Washington D.C. is burned• British marched in

unopposed• retaliation for the

burning of York• Dolly Madison saves

picture of Washington

War of 1812

The Siege of Baltimore• Americans successfully

defend the city and Fort McHenry

• Francis Scott Key writes “The Star Spangled Banner” (1931)

War of 1812

The Treaty of Ghent• doesn’t decide issues that lead

to war

• restores the pre-war status quo

1. boundaries between Canada and US are set

2. demilitarizes the Great Lakes

3. Oregon Territory placed under joint rule for the next 10 years

The Battle of New Orleans

unaware that peace was made British attack Gen. Andrew Jackson is heavily outnumbered defend New Orleans with an elaborate system of

fortification - “cotton barrels” after two British frontal assaults - Am. Inflict

massive losses

The Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleans

Jackson “Old Hickory” becomes American hero!

“In 1814 we took a little trip,Along with Colonel Jackson down the Might Mississip.We took a little bacon and we took a little beans,And fought the Bloody British in the town of New Orleans.”