The War of 1812



The War of 1812

People compare the War of 1812 to the Revolutionary War. It has even been called the

Revolutionary War Part 2. This is because there are many similarities between the two

wars. The most common similarity is both wars were fought between the United States

and Great Britain. The main causes for both wars were shipping and trade disputes.

Another similarity between the two is that the main fighting occurred in North America.

Like the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 ended with the United States winning. The

main difference with the War of 1812 was that it was a war meant to decide how much

say America would have in other countries.

It all started with Thomas Jefferson. As President, Jefferson set up laws for trading

overseas. The problem was he had no interest in foreign affairs. This meant he did not

want to take part in foreign wars. Other countries did not like this. They did not want to

trade with a country that would not support them in spats with other nations.

England and France were at war prior to the War of 1812. The English believed the

United States was supplying France with food and weapons. The French believed the

same thing. They thought the U.S. was sending goods to Britain to help them. The war

between these two nations was so bad that any time an American ship was sent to

Europe, both British and French troops refused to let the ships pass without searching

them first. The U.S. passed the Embargo Act of 1807 as a result.

In the Embargo Act America was no longer allowed to sail to any foreign ports. This

meant they could not trade with any country across the world. Many Americans were

furious! The government hoped by passing this Act that France and Britain would need

them, but both countries did fine without any help. The plan had backfired.

Jefferson had no choice but to repeal the Embargo Act right before he left office. The

new president was James Madison. The damage had already been done.

American ships began to trade again, but the British and French went back to searching their ships. Nothing had changed. Madison was determined to keep the United States out of the war.

The Americans wanted a war and eventually Madison had no choice.

America would go to war with Britain though and not France. This was mainly due to a

new British Policy. British ships were allowed to seize American sailors and force them

to serve in the British navy. This was illegal. It had been a part of the Treaty of Paris,

which was signed in 1783. The Treaty helped end the Revolutionary War.

Other reasons for fighting the British:

_ Britain owned Canada. The U.S. wanted control of the country.

_ The U.S. blamed England for encouraging Native Americans to raid U.S.

settlements out west.

John Calhoun and Henry Clay were two War Hawks. The War Hawks were a group who

encouraged the War. The War Hawks wanted to convince the President a war was the

only answer. In June of 1812, President Madison asked Congress to approve a

declaration of war. Congress approved! War was declared immediately.

Battle #1 – General William Hull vs. Commander Isaac Brock

General William Hull moved from Fort Detroit (in Michigan) into Canada. He wanted

Canada to surrender their troops. Hull did not do so well though. He believed he was

outnumbered and returned to Fort Detroit. No shots were fired. He could have won this

battle had he stayed. Americans outnumbered the Britain soldiers 5 to1!

Major Battle #1 – The Battle of York & Put-in-Bay

Americans fought the battle of York on April 27, 1813. The Americans attacked and

burned the city of Toronto. As a result, the British, Canadians, and Native Americans

attacked Put-in-Bay. Put-in-Bay is a small island off the coast of Ohio in Lake Erie. U.S.

ships were smaller and had less of an advantage but the United States still won this

battle.

Reasons for victory:

_ Oliver Hazard Perry was an excellent leader

_ The Americans had more ships

Other Major Battles:

_ The Siege of Fort Meigs – Ohio May 1813 – US Victory

_ Sacketts Harbor – New York May 1813 – US Victory

_ Fort George – Canada May 1813 – US Capture/Victory

_ Fort Stephenson – Ohio Aug.1813 – US Victory

_ Fort Mims Massacre – Alabama Aug. 1813 – Native Americans Victory

_ The Battle of Lake Erie – Ohio Sept. 1813 – US Victory

_ Battle of Thames – Canada Oct. 1813 – US Victory

_ Battle of Crysler’s Farm – Canada Nov. 1813 – British Victory

_ Fort Niagra – New York Dec. 1813 – British Victory

_ Battle of Horseshoe Bend – Alabama March 1814 – US Victory

_ Battle of Chippewa – Canada July 1814 – US Victory

_ Battle of Lundy’s Lane – Canada July 1814 - US Victory

_ Battle of Lake Champlain – Canada/New England Sept. 1814 – US Victory

_ There were also many battles in the Great Lakes between ships

Prior to 1814, the British soldiers only seemed to win victories in Canada. The troops

did not fight during the cold winter. This gave them time to prepare. The British had one

goal in mind: Capture Washington. In the spring of 1814, they stormed the streets of

Washington D.C., burning the Capitol Building, the White House, the War Offices, and

the Treasury building!

Near the end of 1814, an important battle changed the scope of the war. The British

wanted the success they had in Washington in Baltimore. This time, U.S. troops were

prepared. During the fighting an important song, our national anthem was written.

Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner as he watched the

battle unfold.

In August of 1814, Britain and the U.S. spoke of peace, but it was not until Christmas

Eve that a treaty was signed. This was the Treaty of Ghent. Even though a treaty was

signed, fighting continued. No one told the soldiers the war was over.

The final battle of the war was in January of 1815. The Battle of New Orleans was

another U.S. victory. The U.S. had control of this entire region. Word spread of the

signing of the Treaty of Ghent. The war finally ended.

The War of 1812 did not solve the problems of trading, but it did help reshape our

country. Through the War the U.S. gained several territories out west, the lines of

Canada were redrawn, and we gained control of the Great Lakes. The war was a

victory, which helped make America what it is today.

The War of 1812 Worksheet

1. What is the War of 1812 also known as?

A. The little Civil War B. The War of 1812

C. The American Revolution Part 2 D. World War II

2. What two countries fought in the War?

A. France and Great Britain B. France and U.S.

C. France and Spain D. Great Britain and U.S.

3. Who was the President when the War started?

A. Thomas Jefferson B. James Madison

C. Andrew Jackson D. Abe Lincoln

4. What was the name of the Act, which would not allow American ships to sail to

foreign ports?

A. The Embargo Act B. The Shipping Act

C. The Foreign Sailing Act D. The No American Products Act

Fill in the Blanks & Short Answer:

5. ___________ ________________ were people who encouraged America going to

war.

6. The Battle of York occurred on _________________________________.

7. In 1813, British soldiers claimed victories in __________________ and

____________________.

8. Two of the buildings destroyed in Washington D.C were the

______________________ and ______________________________.

9. Why do you think the Americans felt they had to go to war with Great Britain?

10. If you had been there in 1812, what side would you have chosen? Would you have been a War Hawk or someone who wanted peace? Explain your answer.

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