Overview of The War of 1812 Adapted from presentation by Tao Peng, Department of Chemistry, University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

Introduction Between the United States and Britain Began in 1812 and lasted until early 1815 Americans in the West and South hoped to expand US by seizing control of both Canada and Florida. Mr. Madison’s War The second war of independence

Causes of the War The British disregard of American shipping rights.

Causes of the War Americans suffered financial losses during those years of European warfare The War Hawks: Henry Clay & John C. Calhoun 1) They believed British officers from Canada were encouraging Native American peoples to rebel against U.S. 2) Americans had always wanted Canada.

First Phase of the War June 18, 1812-the winter of 1813 In July American army invaded Canada but finally lost Detroit, without fighting a battle. In October the Americans made a second attempt to invade Canada on the Niagara frontier and were defeated again due to the lack of help from the militia. A third American effort to invade Canada also ended ingloriously in November north of Plattsburgh, New York. Once again the militia refused to cross into Canada and instead marched back to winter quarters at Plattsburgh.

Second Phase of the War During the spring of 1813 and through the following winter “We have met the enemy and they are ours.” -- Oliver H. Perry

Second Phase of the War On October 5 the Native American leader Tecumseh, the great warrior, died in a battle, bringing an end to most Native American resistance. General Dearborn raided York (now Toronto), Ontario and the ill-disciplined Americans burned several government buildings. Americans attempted to attack Montréal but retreated ingloriously. On December 18, a British column captured Fort Niagara with the loss of only eight men. Later British army burned the towns of Black Rock and Buffalo, New York.

Third Phase of the War Napoleon fell down in the early spring of On August 18 the British landed 3500 troops in Maryland. The Capitol, the White House, and the navy yard, including all the ships anchored there were burned. The British bombardment of Fort McHenry inspired Francis S. Key to write the words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”, which became the national anthem of the United States.

Third Phase of the War Turning Point: the Battle of Lake Champlain on September 11 Captain Thomas McDonough defeated a powerful British naval squadron and cut off the waterborne supply line of British ground troops.

The End of the War Both countries signed the peace agreement, known as the Treaty of Ghent, on December 24, American negotiators believed they had triumphed. More realistically, the fledgling nation had the extraordinary good fortune to escape the consequences of a war that it had badly mismanaged from the outset.