The War of 1812

I. Background Untied States of America versus The British Empire (England) 3. At the time, England was already at war with France 4. U.S. Army was small & disorganized. The Navy only had 16 ships!

1. Another War between France and England A. Both sides want to get the U.S. involved B. We want to stay neutral- foreign affairs are not our problem C. France and England are both paranoid that the U.S. is selling arms to their enemy. D. We pass the Embargo Act which prevents all trade with France and England just to keep ourselves from getting involved.

2. British begin interfering with U.S. foreign trade A. British Navy boards U.S. merchant vessels, seizing the vessel and cargo. B. Britain is upset that we have stopped trade. C. They steal the vessels and crews to fight the French.

3. British were IMPRESSING U.S. sailors A. When British seized a U.S. merchant ship, they would force the crew to join the British Navy. B. Forced the American crew to change citizenship. He..heh. That American is Now ours! Oh no! I can’t live on fish and chips!

4. “Warhawks” blamed the British for Native American Unrest A. Senators and Congressmen blamed the British for encouraging Western Tribes to rebel. B. Some believed the British were arming the Native Americans. (Remember Tecumseh, the Prophet and the Battle of Tippicanoe? )

5. U.S. wanted some more land A. Used war as a pretext for grabbing the rest of Canada from England and Florida from Spain(England’s ally).

A. President James Madison Do we Have to go To war?

B. The “Warhawks”, led by Henry Clay Is this the best photo They could find?! This here war against Britain is a fine idea!

C. Tecumseh - Leader of the Shawnee tribe at Tippicanoe Creek. Let’s get Together And woop Some U.S. butt… Before they Woop on Ours!

D. General William Henry Harrison -fought Teumseh at Tippicanoe Dang… Maybe I can Use my army Fame to run For President!

E. Francis Scott Key- Wrote the “Star Spangled Banner” Someday, Famous persons Shall recite my Poetry at large Sporting events.

A. “Constitution” vs. “Guerriere”, 1812 Naval battle off of the Canadian coast Brisish had already blockaded U.S. ports. “Constitution” was able to shoot off both masts of the British vessel. Our first naval victory.

B. Invasion of Canada Americans thought Canadians would welcome them. Thought Canadians wanted to be “free” of England…Wrong! U.S. forced to retreat!

C. Battle of Lake Erie, Thames 1813 Fierce battle but the U.S. is able to retain control After the British retreat, troops regroup (with Tecumseh) and fight again at Thames, where Tecumseh is killed.

D. Battle of Horseshoe Bend, General Andrew Jackson vs. Creek Indians in Mississippi Jackson used the help of the Cherokee to defeat the Creeks.

E.Burning of Washington D.C., Battle at Fort McHenry, 1814 British concluded its war with France and therefore had more troops to send to the U.S. Invaded D.C. and burned down the White house

Marched on to Baltimore Harbor and Fort McHenry British rockets bombard fort the whole night. U.S. flag remains flaying and the British finally retreat. Francis Scott Key is so moved by U.S. determination he writes poem/song… “Oh say does that star-spangled banner yet wave…”

F. Battle of New Orleans British tried to take New Orleans so they could control the Mississippi River. Andrew Jackson fought them off with troops which included African Americans, locals, sharpshooters, frontier fighters.

Oops! The battle was fought two weeks after the British signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium. We didn’t know the treaty was signed… very slow mail from Europe! This will stop Fighting between Our nations… Yeah…in a month or so!

A. America proves itself as a global power! We test our naval strength and are successful! NO LAND GAINED, NO MONEY MADE…was it worth it? Works for Me!