War of 1812

Questions to answer What countries were involved? What were the causes of war? What happened during the war? Who won? Why is it important?

Countries involved USA and British colonies in America (Canada) Britain was currently at war with France (Napoleon) –USA was officially neutral –However they saw this as an opportunity

Causes of War 1.Britain was disrupting trade between U.S. and France 2.British captured American sailors 3.Quebec Act of 1774 granted Ohio Valley to Quebec 4.Manifest Destiny

What happened? On July 19, 1812 president James Madison declared war on Great Britain The plan was to attack on three fronts: –Montreal –Niagara River –Detroit

Tecumseh

Leader of the Shawnee and a confederation of Natives Wanted to unite Natives from the Great Lakes to Mexico Joined forces with Britain Without this help we would be Americans today

Isaac Brock

Became a Major-General in charge of all troops in Upper Canada in 1811 Didn’t want to stay here, wanted to fight Napoleon in Europe The only Canadian commander to prepare for war early in 1812

Detroit Brock and Tecumseh take the fort without a causality It is a humiliating defeat for the Americans The Canadians gain arms, supplies and have stopped one of the three American attacks

Queenston Heights The Americans try to take the Canadian side of the Niagara River Early in the morning on October 13, the Americans cross the river British give them heavy fire Americans land and flank behind the British on Queenston Heights

Queenston Heights Cont… The British are removed from their position but Brock immediately counter attacks The battle for the Heights continues for hours The Americans do not receive reinforcements and end up fleeing Brock dies in the battle

Laura Secord

Secord was a loyalist who’s husband was injured at Queenston Heights June 21, 1813 American officers force their way into her home and force her to serve them dinner During the evening she hears their plans of a secret attack on Canada

Secord Cont… The next morning she sets out on a 19 mile run to inform commander Fitzgibbon It takes her a full day of running and avoiding Americans By nightfall she is found by a group of Iroquois they take her to Fitzgibbon Her information saves Canada, but Fitzgibbon takes the credit

Battle of the Thames After Brock’s death Major-General Henry Procter took command He and Tecumseh did not get along Procter refused to press the attack Tecumseh continued to fight along the border Was killed on Oct at the Battle of the Thames This ended Native support in the war

Battle of the Chateauguay American troops try to take Montreal 4000 Americans against 470 Canadians and a groups of Mohawks Americans outnumber Canadians 8:1 In the dark the Americans get divided and are fired upon from both sides Here Montreal is saved

Treaty of Ghent-End of the War By 1814 Britain has all but won the war with France so trade restrictions are lifted Americans claim this as a victory as it was signed during the battle of New Orleans Canadians also claim victory for repulsing the American advance No land changes hands

Why this is important The first war fought by “Canadians” Stopped this land from being conquered by America Unified British colonies