1. The War of 1812 The Second War for Independence
Focus Questions: Why did the United States Go to War with Britain?
What Was the Outcome?

2. Americans Blame the British
Democratic Republicans are embarrassed by the failure of Jefferson’s embargo
Americans angry at the impressment of their seamen
Native Americans fighting for their land in the Midwest

3. Gearing Up For War
Congress repeals the Embargo Act. France agrees to recognize American neutrality. Britain does not.
Two Shawnee Indians Tecumseh and his brother work to unite all Native Americans against the expansion of white settlement. Battle of Tippecanoe slows momentum

4. The War Hawks
Aggressive, brash young politicians mostly from the South and the western frontier
Strongly nationalistic
Pushed for war with Britain to restore national honor
Wanted to invade Canada & drive British out of North America
Leaders were John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay

5. U.S. Declares War Against Britain in June 1812
When James Madison asked Congress to declare war, the U. S. is unprepared against the world’s superpower. In his term, Jefferson had cut funds for both the army & navy.
The U.S. is risking their independence from Britain

6. The U.S. Invades Canada Jefferson advised Madison to attack Canada.
Felt Canada would be easy target because U.S. population 32X larger than Canada
Jefferson also felt state militias could defeat British
Canada invasion serious mistake. Native Americans & British fighting together easily stopped U.S. invasions
Additionally, Americans lost one of their forts Detroit
U.S. humiliated

7. U.S. Navy Holds Its Own
To shock of British, American navy wins victories against the world’s most powerful navy
Oliver Hazard Perry defeats British flotilla which allows U.S. army to retake Detroit
After British invade U.S. in 1814, American ships defeat British fleet on Lake Champlain, forcing British to retreat to Canada

8. U.S. Defeats Native Americans
In 1813, William Henry Harrison kills Tecumseh, great Native American general and strategist
Andrew Jackson defeats the Creek Indians in Alabama
Jackson then invades the Spanish colony of Florida and defeats the Seminole Indians

9. The British Attack!
British defeated Napoleon in early 1814 and they could now concentrate on fighting America.
British navy blockaded eastern coast and an army occupied eastern Maine
A second army invaded northern New York
A third army landed in Maryland and attacked & burned the White House & the Capitol in Washington D.C.

10. “The Rockets’ Red Glare”
After British leave Washington D.C., they attempt to attack Baltimore & are defeated
During this attack, Francis Scott Key writes the Star-Spangled Banner
British depart for Canada in defeat

11. The War of 1812 Ends
Andrew Jackson routs the British at New Orleans & becomes an instant hero
Treaty of Ghent ends the War of Because Americans hear about the peace treaty after they hear about Jackson’s victory, they believe that Jackson forced the British to make peace.
Americans feel a new sense of national pride. British give up hope of re-conquering its former colonies

12. The Hartford Convention & the End of the Federalist Party
The burdens of war did not fall equally on all sections of the country. New England suffered economically & the war was unpopular
In December 1814 New England Federalists met to consider secession & making a separate peace with the British
After Jackson’s victory & the Ghent Treaty, Federalists look like traitors
Federalist Party dead by 1820

13. Effects of the War of 1812 Revealed Need for a strong standing army
Encouraged American nationalism
Brought end to the Federalist Party
Shattered the strength of Native American resistance
Paved the way for American acquisition of Florida