War Of 1812

War of 1812

By: Alexa

Causes of the War• First, a series of trade restrictions introduced by Britain to impede American trade with France, a country with which Britain was at war.

• Second, an impressment (forced recruitment) of American soldiers into the Royal Navy

• Third, British military support of the American Indians (Britain offering armed resistance to westward expansion)

The Fighting• On the oceans—they preyed on each other’s merchant ships

• Along the Atlantic coast—U.S. blockaded by British

• On the long frontier—along the St. Lawrence river and Great Lakes to separate U.S. from Canada

• Along the coast of Gulf of Mexico

England burns Washington

• Washington D.C. was attacked in August of 1814 by the invading British army making its way to Chesapeake Bay

• James Madison was president at the time

Battle of Thames

• October 5, 1813• American victory• Led to reestablishment of

Northwest frontier• Chief Tecumseh was

killed during battle, destroying alliance with Native Americans.

Siege of Baltimore• American forces warded off a British sea invasion of the

port city of Baltimore, Maryland• Battle inspired Francis Scott Key to write our “Star

Spangled Banner”• September 13, 1812

Plattsburgh Battle• A British army under Lieutenant

General Sir George Prévost and a navy under Captain George Downie converged on the lakeside town of Plattsburgh, which was defended by American troops.

• Attacked on September 11, 1814

• Prevost abandoned the battle and retreated to Canada stating that if Plattsburgh was captured, it could not be supplied without control of the lake.

Battle of New Orleans• December 23, 1814to

January 8, 1815• Commanded by Andrew

Jackson, American forces defeated an invading British army intent on capturing New Orleans and the vast territory America had acquired through the Louisiana Purchase

• Treaty of Ghent was formed

Treaty of Ghent

• Peace treaty between America and Britain that ended the War of 1812.

• Treaty came before the Battle of New Orleans, but because communication was so slow, news hadn’t reached Britain before they attacked.

Results• There was no resolution of the original

disputes

• No territory gained for either side

Importance• War promoted

American nationalism and patriotism

• Crushed Indian resistance in South and West

• Federalist Party died• Industrialization

began in New England