THE WAR OF 1812

* USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) defeats the British ship Guerriere. - Constitution made of iron, causing British cannonballs bounce off sides

THE WAR OF 1812 A.The War at Sea 1. Constitution’s triumph shocks Americans because British have much stronger navy

THE WAR OF US advantages over British: a. Used privateers (privately owned ships) which was cheaper than building navy ships “Our cheapest and best navy” ~ Republican leader

THE WAR OF 1812 “On the ocean, and even on our own coasts, we have been insulted.” ~ London newspaper

THE WAR OF 1812 b. US have well-trained sailors and some well-constructed warships c. Sea victories improve American morale

THE WAR OF British send more ships to American coast a. British ships blockade ports b. British capture American ships

THE WAR OF 1812 B.The Canadian Border 1. Americans want to invade Canada with 3 armies 2. British help Indians defeat American army + capture Fort Detroit

THE WAR OF 1812 a. Britain now controlled most of Great Lakes Region

THE WAR OF Oliver Hazard Perry – helps US strike back and gain control of Lake Erie a. Battle of Lake Erie – US defeat British and force them to withdraw

THE WAR OF 1812 C.The Frontier War 1. The Battle of Thames - General Harrison orders cavalry charge at British forces in southern Canada a. British defenses break apart

THE WAR OF 1812 b. Tecumseh killed – his death weakens Indian-British relationship c. Victory secures US border with Canada

THE WAR OF Chief Red Eagle follows Tecumseh’s wishes of fighting US and attacks Fort Mims (Alabama) a. Andrew Jackson and troops fight back

THE WAR OF Battle of Horseshoe Bend – Jackson defeats Indians a. Indians sign treaty and give up millions of acres of land

D. British on the Offensive 1. British send more troops to US and attack capital a. British set fire to White House and force Madison to flee THE WAR OF 1812

2. British try to attack Fort McHenry but Americans refuse to surrender

THE WAR OF 1812 a. National Anthem written when Francis Scott Key witnessed attack on Fort McHenry 1. saw flag flying over fort when battle began

THE WAR OF flag was still there next morning when smoke cleared from the battle Gave proof thro' the night that our flag was still there. O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave

THE WAR OF 1812 E.The Battle of New Orleans 1.British want to attack New Orleans and take control of Mississippi River 2.Jackson’s troops in New Orleans build wall of dirt and logs

THE WAR OF Battle of New Orleans – US defeats British “The field was entirely covered with bodies. In some places they were lying in piles of several, one on top of the other.”

THE WAR OF 1812 F.Ending the War 1. Hartford Convention – gathering of Federalists in Conn. about opposing the war with Britain a. Some Feds wanted New England to withdraw from US

THE WAR OF 1812 b. Meanwhile, war ends c. Federalists challenging power of national govern makes them look bad

THE WAR OF Treaty of Ghent – US and Britain end war a. each nation returns territories they conquered b. No solution to impressment or trade embargoes

THE WAR OF US narrowly escapes political disaster but proud that we stood up to Britain

THE WAR OF 1812