The War of 1812:Chapter 7, Section 2

Political ideas and major events shape how people form governments. Although the United States gained no territory from its victory in the

War of 1812, American self-confidence increased greatly.

War Begins• Main idea: In 1812 the United

States was at war with Britain and was unprepared from this onset…

• 2 reasons why: (1) lack of trained army and (2) many opposed the war, calling it “Mr. Madison’s war”

• Fighting began in July 1812 with a surrender by William Hull to the British in Detroit because the Americans feared a “massacre” by Native Americans

• General William Henry Harrison was also unsuccessful due to British control of Lake Erie

Naval Battles• Oliver Hazard Perry assembled a fleet to seize Lake Erie

• Won, sent message to General William Henry Harrison: “We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

• After defeat, British and Native Americans retreated from Detroit while Harrison and troops cut them off, eventually killing Tecumseh

• Another American victory at Battle of York• Republicans reduced size of navy to reduce debts but navy still

had incredible power- 3 of the fasted frigates including the Constitution which was nicknamed “Old Ironsides” because a shot bounced off it during battle

• In addition to the navy, privateers (people who owned private ships) attacked British ships and captured vessels

Setback for Native Americans• Andrew Jackson led attack against the Creeks in Alabama in

the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, which forced the Native Americans to give up some of their land.

1. Do you think the United States was prepared to wage war? Explain.

2. Was there any evidence that indicated that they were unprepared? What might result from their mistakes?

3. Why was the area around Lake Erie the site of several important battles?

The British Offensive

• Main idea: Even though the last battle of the war, the Battle of New Orleans, took place two weeks after the war had officially ended, the American victory there instilled a strong sense of of national pride.• British ended war with

France, and their full attention turned to US

Attack on Washington D.C.

• In 1814, British troops marched onto D.C, “overpowered” the militia, and burned much of D.C., including the capitol and the president’s mansion.• Luckily, a storm put out

most the fires.

Baltimore Holds Firm• British left Washington D.

C. and sailed north to Baltimore, attacking the city in mid-September.• However, were kept

from entering the city• During night of September

13/14, a young lawyer named Francis Scott Key watched the bombs “burst” over Fort McHenry while the flag still stood. His poem later became our National Anthem in 1931

Defeat at Plattsburgh

• British troops marched into NY State from Canada, hoping to capture Plattsburgh, off of Lake Champlain

• American ships attacked and defeated the British

• After this battle, the British decided the war was too expensive and “unnecessary”

The War Ends• Signed peace agreement on Dec. 24, 1814 in Ghent, Belgium

(Treaty of Ghent), but it didn’t change any borders nor discuss impressment of sailors

• Word of treaty didn’t reach New Orleans before a battle broke out. Andrew Jackson led his troops through a blood battle and into victory

• This helped him to winpresidency in 1828,caused the Federalists tolose support, and thenation gained a newsense of self-confidence

American Nationalism

• Federalists annoyed with “Madison’s war”, in order to prevent their secession, several amendments were proposed at Hartford Convention

• However, after victory, no one thought their complaints were very important. Instead people were very patriotic

• People became more like the Republican War Hawks who wanted trade, westward expansion, strong national government, and strong military

1. What events from the war probably helped increase Americans’ self-confidence?

2. Did the Treaty of Ghent resolve any major issues? Explain.3. Who won the Battle of Lake Champlain? Why was it an

important victory?4. What were the effects of the Battle of New Orleans?5. Why did the Federalist Party lose support after the War of

1812?