The War of 1812

A military conflict between the US and the British Empire between

June 1812 -February 1815.

Reasons for the War

• Violation of shipping rights– All were supposed to be able to trade in the

open seas during peacetime• Impressment of sailors

• Settlers blamed the British for encouraging the Native Americans to resist westward expansion

Political Leaders Favoring War

• WAR HAWKS– Senator John C. Calhoun of South Carolina– Senator Henry Clay of Kentucky

• Wanted war with Britain because:– Southern and western territories faced constant threats from

British forces and Native Americans– Hoped war would produce more land gains in British Canada

and Spanish Florida (Spain was ally of Britain)

• Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812

Important Events in War of 1812

• Battle of Horseshoe Bend – March 27, 1814– Andrew Jackson got help from the Cherokee

Nation to defeat Britain’s ally the Creeks in the South

– This victory opened up Southwest to white settlement

• The Treaty of Ghent– December 24, 1814– This treaty ended the war with no real gains

for either side.– Basically returned to each side the territory it

had before hostilities began• Did nothing about impressments of sailors or the

rights of those that declare neutrality

• The Battle of New Orleans– January 8, 1815– Battle was fought after the war had technically

ended• Fighters did not realize a treaty had been accepted

– Jackson’s troops defeated the British• U.S forces suffered 8 deaths to over 700 for the

British

– Victory gave U.S. people great pride– Andrew Jackson became a national hero

Consequences of the War of 1812

• U.S. and Great Britain agreed to return boundaries to where they were before the war

• The United States’ ability to defend itself won the respect and recognition of other nations

• Feelings of U.S. nationalism (love of one’s country) grew stronger

• The Federalist Party lost its credibility and disbanded

• The U.S. manufacturing industry grew due to lack of good from Britain during the war. The U.S. became more self sufficient.

FYI

• In its first 30 years, the U.S. also signed two important treaties with Spain:– Pinckney’s Treaty- opened up Mississippi

River to western farmers= TRADE– Adams-Onis Treaty- U.S. gained Florida,

defined western border of the Louisiana Territory, gave Oregon Territory to the U.S., but gave up claim to Texas