The War of 1812The War of 1812The Big Idea

Great Britain and the United States went to battle in the War of 1812.

Main Ideas

• American forces held their own against the British in the early battles of the war.

• U.S. forces stopped the British offensives in the East and South.

• The effects of the war included prosperity and national pride.

Main Idea 1:Main Idea 1: American forces held their American forces held their

own against the British in the own against the British in the early battles of the war.early battles of the war.

War at Sea

•Britain had hundreds of ships, but most were scattered around the globe.

•Americans had less than 20 ships, but had well-trained sailors and new warships like the powerful USS Constitution.

•American ships victorious in one-on-one battles.

•British blockaded seaports.

Along Canadian Border – American leaders wanted to invade

Canada.– Attacks in 1812 failed

Oliver Hazard Perry won naval Battle of Lake Erie in 1813.

– American control of Lake Erie established.

British driven out of Northwest in 1813.

The Creek WarThe Creek War•War erupted with Native Americans in the South, who were angry at settlers pushing into their lands.•Creeks attacked Fort Mims in Alabama, killing about 250 defenders.

•Andrew Jackson, leading 2,000 volunteers, defeated the Creeks at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend in Alabama in 1814.

•The Treaty of Fort Jackson ended war in 1814 and forced the Creeks to give up millions of acres of their land.

Main Idea 2:Main Idea 2: U.S. forces stopped British U.S. forces stopped British

offensives offensives in the East and South. in the East and South.

British Attacks in British Attacks in EastEast

British attacked British attacked Washington, Washington, D.C., in 1814. D.C., in 1814.

Set fire to Set fire to White House, White House, Capitol, and Capitol, and other buildings. other buildings.

Baltimore in the BalanceBaltimore in the Balance

View of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry View of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry

A Moment of TriumphA Moment of Triumph

By the “dawn’s early light” of September 14, By the “dawn’s early light” of September 14, 1814, Francis Scott Key, who was aboard a 1814, Francis Scott Key, who was aboard a ship several miles distant, could just make out ship several miles distant, could just make out an American flag waving above Fort McHenry. an American flag waving above Fort McHenry. British ships were withdrawing from British ships were withdrawing from Baltimore, and Key realized that the United Baltimore, and Key realized that the United States had survived the battle and stopped States had survived the battle and stopped the enemy advance. Moved by the sight, he the enemy advance. Moved by the sight, he wrote a song celebrating “that star-spangled wrote a song celebrating “that star-spangled banner” as a symbol of America’s triumph banner” as a symbol of America’s triumph and enduranceand endurance

The Star Spangled BannerThe Star Spangled Banner

““Then in that hour Then in that hour of deliverance and of deliverance and joyful triumph, my joyful triumph, my heart spoke.”heart spoke.”

——Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key recalling the recalling the morning of morning of September 14, September 14, 18141814

Frances Scott KeyFrances Scott Key

Key’s words gave Key’s words gave new significance to new significance to a national symbol a national symbol and started a and started a tradition through tradition through which generations which generations of Americans have of Americans have invested the flag invested the flag with their own with their own meanings and meanings and memories. memories.

Battle of New OrleansBattle of New Orleans British moved against New Orleans.British moved against New Orleans.

– Hoped to capture city and control Mississippi River.Hoped to capture city and control Mississippi River.

Andrew Jackson commanded U.S. forces at New Andrew Jackson commanded U.S. forces at New Orleans.Orleans.

– Troops included regular soldiers, free African Troops included regular soldiers, free African Americans, Choctaws, state militia, and pirates.Americans, Choctaws, state militia, and pirates.

Battle began on January 8, 1815, with 5,300 British Battle began on January 8, 1815, with 5,300 British troops against about 4,500 Americans.troops against about 4,500 Americans.

British caught in open field; more than 2,000 British caught in open field; more than 2,000 casualties.casualties.

American victory at American victory at Battle of New Orleans Battle of New Orleans made made Jackson a hero and was last major conflict of the war.Jackson a hero and was last major conflict of the war.

•Group of New England Federalists were going to Hartford Convention to oppose war, but the war ended before the convention.

•War’s end made party lose power.

Main Idea 3:Main Idea 3: The effects of the war The effects of the war

included included prosperity and national prosperity and national

pride.pride.

Treaty of Ghent

Treaty of Ghent signed before negotiators knew of New Orleans.

Each nation returned conquered territory gathered.

Consequences

Feelings of patriotism among Americans.

Power of many Native American groups broken.

Lack of goods during blockade boosted American manufacturing.

Sequence of EventsSequence of Events

1.1. War at Sea/ Battles Along the War at Sea/ Battles Along the Canadian BorderCanadian Border

2.2. Creek WarCreek War3.3. Washington D. C. AttackedWashington D. C. Attacked4.4. Battle of Fort McHenryBattle of Fort McHenry5.5. Hartford ConventionHartford Convention6.6. Battle of New OrleansBattle of New Orleans7.7. Treaty of GhentTreaty of Ghent