1. Grade 7 History Ms. Willis
War of 1812
Grade 7 History
Ms. Willis

2. Learning Goals Understand Describe
Understand the causes and consequences of the war of 1812
Describe
Describe some people who played an important role in this war
Understand perspectives of different peoples

3. Causes of the war of 1812
British interference with American merchant ships
British war ships stopped American merchant ships for ‘inspection’
If they found British seaman on board, they captured them and forced them to work on British war ships. This practice of ‘impressment’ was legal if the seaman were British deserters, but often they weren’t. Regardless, impressment was a violation of American sovereignty.
The British ignored the complaints of the Americans.

4. Causes of the war of 1812 American expansion into the northwest
The Treaty of Paris had given the Ohio Valley to the U.S. but it also required Americans to respect existing treaties with First Nations.
The treaties were being ignored and the First Nations appealed to the British for support
The British felt compelled to do something for fear of the Americans becoming bolder and advancing to Upper Canada.

5. Causes of the war of 1812
Fur trade officials in First Nations territories
The U.S. claimed that the British fur trade officials in the Great Lakes area were encouraging First Nations claims and were supplying them with arms to attack American settlers.
They also said First Nations were making false claims about settlers.
The U.S. claimed if this didn’t stop, they would be forced into action to prevent a war between First Nations and settlers.

6. Causes of the war of 1812 American “Jingoism”
Jingoism is aggressive talk and opinions that justify military action.
American politicians talked a lot of jingoism at this time.
They spread propaganda saying American troops should invade Upper and Lower Canada to protect the U.S.
Thomas Jefferson said that capturing BNA would be a “mere matter of marching”

7. War is declared - june 1812 United States declared war on Britain
Americans seemed to have advantages: most of Britain’s ships were in Europe, Britain had massive territory to defend (2000km from Halifax to Sarnia!) with only soldiers to defend it

8. The war
Was fought in numerous land battles and skirmishes, as well as naval battles on the Great Lakes and Atlantic coast
Although the U.S. had a larger army, sometimes it is the leaders and circumstances that can change outcomes
Britian had two strong leaders: Sir Isaac Brock, a British officer and Tecumseh, a Shawnee chief
Using surprise attacks and careful planning, they won several early battles, including fort Michilimackinac and Detroit

9. Battles sites

10. The battles Historical Canada History Minute: Queenston Heights
The following video is an example of how some of the battles were fought and won with ingenious planning.
Historical Canada History Minute: Queenston Heights

11. The role of First nations
The following video is an example of how important a role First Nations played in the war of 1812
The Battle of the Beaver Dams: Uncommon Courage (DVD)
(June 24, 1813)

12. The role of black people in the war
The following video is an example of how black people played a role in the War of 1812:
Historica Canada: Richard Pierpoint - the Role of Black People in the War of 1812

13. Conditions in the military

14. Conditions in the military
Conditions were dangerous, unhealthy and soldiers poorly paid

15. Treaty of Ghent
The British and Americans met in Ghent, Belgium to try and reach a peace agreement. In December 1814, they signed the Treaty of Ghent to end the war.
There were no major victories on either side in the treaty.
The border between United States and BNA remained the same.
The war was a stalemate, but it did affect the way people felt about BNA

16. consequences
Some effects of the war on Lower and especially Upper Canada (where most of the fighting took place):
Agriculture declined because farmers had been called away to fight
Food supply was threatened from small harvests
Increase in demand for materials to support troops resulted in some businesses/people making a lot of money
Canadians viewed the Americans as a threat which resulted in more loyalty to the British monarchy (which we still see today in Canada)

17. consequences Overall, the war united French and English people
The confidence of British North America grew

18. Key figures
Using the history text, research information about the key figures of this time period. (See worksheet)