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The War Of 1812
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Madison Takes Office
On March fourth 1809 James Madison was sworn in as the 4th President of the United States. Madison who was born March 16, 1751.He entered politics at the age of 25 when he joined the Viginia State Legislature. He was the youngest member at the Continental Congress (1780-1783). Several years later over 1000 farmers in Massachussets attempted to over throw the state goverment. This uprising later became know as Shay's Rebellion. This deeply worried Madison, he proposed much of the new Constituion. -
War Hawks Take Power
War Hawks, or individuals who wanted war began rising in early 1810. At the heart of the war hawks, were nationalists Henery Clay, and John C. Calhoun. They both became leaders in the House of Representatives. These war hawks argued that America had to protect intself from the viscious rule of King George. The British had been raiding U.S ships, and impressing sailors to serve in the British navy. The tension was high, it seemed that war was inevidable. -
Relations with Great Britain Worsen
As time went on America and Britain both continued to come closer to their breaking points. England did not answer President Jefferson's pleas to stop impressing U.S sailors. This made American war hawks stronger then ever. On top of naval disputes with England, native americans that had been armed by the British were attacking frontier settlements. -
Congress Declares War On Britain
On June 18, 1812 the United States officaly declared war on England. After 29 years of peace, England and The United States were at war again. America is soon to find out that they are fighting a war they are not prepared for. -
America Is Not Ready For War
When congress declared war on England they did not properly evaulate the United States military capibility. Republican President Jefferson had cut the size of the army massively during his presidency. His predecessor Madison, did the same. So when war begins the U.S has a pathetically small army of less then 7,000, and a crippled navy, comprised of 16 ships to defend the country from invasion. -
Britain Blockades American Ports
In early July of 1812 England decided to show it's massive naval power by blockadeing every major port in the U.S., these included Boston, New York, Charles Town, New Orleans, and more. By the end of the war the British navy will have blockaded every American port completely haulting trade. At the end of 1814, England had 135 warships blocking ports. -
Invasion Of Canada
In July of 1812 American troops under the command of general William Hull set out to invade Canada. Against the best wishes of his aids, Hull pulled all of his men back, and retreated. British General Isaac Brock immediately jumped at the opportunity to squash Hull's army. British Regulars rushed to the scene, surrounding Hull and his men, forcing them to surrender. The battle is a complete success for England, they captured over 2000 men, horses, artillery pieces and other equipment. -
The First Battle Of Sackets Harbour
The First Battle of Sackets Harbour was a naval battle fought in 1812.British commanders wanted the harbour because of its strategic importance.The battle involved two British sloops of war, one British brig, and two schooners. The Americans had one brig, and one shore battery consisting of one 32 pound artillery gun. The Americans gathered 3,000 militia but they saw no actoin. Melancthon Woolsey was the senior American officer. Under his command the Americans were able to push back the British. -
U.S.S Constitution Scores A Victory
The U.S.S Constituiton (nick named Old Iron Sides) engaged in combat with the British Frigate, Guerriere. When the ships waged battle the Constitution fired a full broadside, of double case shot into the Guerriere, breaking it's main mast. With the main mast severed, the ship could barely move, and only allowing the forward deck guns to fire. This assured the victory fot the Constitution. -
The Capture Of Fort George
On May 25, American batteries along the Niagara river and at Fort Niagara opened fire on Fort George, damaging or destroying almost all the buildings within its walls. Only the casemates within the Fort’s walls themselves offered protection for the garrison’s soldiers, women and children. This bombardment signaled to the British commander, Brigadier General John Vincent, that an invasion was imminent. He pulled back, and abandoned the fort. -
The Second Battle Of Sackets Harbour
The town of Sackets Harbour New York was a major ship building area. The battle for control of the great lakes was all about who could build the biggest ship fastest, and Sackets Harbour produceing American ships left, and right. The British wanted control of Sackets the only thing standing In there way was 500 American regulars 900 militia ,and 2 forts. They outnumbered British had no chance of takeing the area so they retreated. The Americans lost 307 men, the british lost 265 kia, mia or wia. -
The Battle Of Lake Erie
The Battle of Lake Erie was fought on 10 September 1813, in Lake Erie, off the coast of Ohio, during the War of 1812. Nine vessels of the United States Navy defeated and captured six vessels of Great Britain's Royal Navy. This ensured American control of the lake for the rest of the war; which in turn allowed the Americans to recover Detroit and win the Battle of the Thames to break the Indian confederation of Tecumseh. It was one of the biggest naval battles of the War of 1812. -
Battle Of Thames
The Battle of the Thames was a decisive United States victory in the War of 1812 against Great Britain. It took place on October 5, 1813, near present-day Chatham, Ontario in Upper Canada. It resulted in the death of the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, and the destruction of the Native American coalition which he led. The battle involved some 1,300 British troops (includeing 500 natives). The Americans led by future president William Henery Harrison had roughly 3700 men. -
The Battle Of Horseshoe Bend
The battle of Horseshoe Bend occured on march 27 1814. The American leader was future seventh president Andrew Jackason. Jacksons goal was to completely clear Alabama of natives by any means nessesary. President Madison wanted Alabama clear for westward expansion. The natives decided to make a stand at Horseshoe Bend. The end result was that Jackson and his men killed or wounded, every native there, (toataling over 1,000 casulties). -
The Battle For Oswego
The Battle of Fort Oswego was a partially successful British raid on an American fort and village in May 1814, during the War of 1812.The British force consisted of the 2nd battalion of Royal Marines under Lieutenant Colonel James Malcolom. It was a hard fought battle. After several days of battle the British captured the fort. They gained a large amount of supplies for ship building. Oswego was a large ship building community. -
Washington Is Attacked
In August of 1814, British troops were under the command of Robert Ross, and George Cockburn. After the exile of Napoleon in France, England had additional troops to send to America. With these extra men the British command comes up with a daring plan, to capture the American capital. The operation was a huge success. -
The White House is Burned
Britsih commanders Ross, and Cockburn took over Washington D.C with little resistance. They then proceeded to begin to burn goverment buildings, Including the White House. Before evacuating, Dolley Madison saved one very important item from the white house, George Washington's painting, -
The Attack On Baltimore & Fort McHenery
The Battle of Baltimore was a combined sea, and land battle, fought between British and American forces in the War of 1812. It was one of the turning points of the war as American forces repulsed sea and land invasions off the busy port city of Baltimore, Maryland, and killed the commander of the invading British army forces,Robert Ross. The defense of Baltimore’s Fort McHenry in the battle, inspired Francis Scott Key to compose the poem the Star Spangeled Banner. -
The Writing Of The Star Spangled Banner
During the attack on fort McHenery, Francis Scott Key was traped in the middle of the british navy. Key was extremely moved in the morning when he saw that the American flag was still flying high over the fort. He then procceded to write the Star Spangeled Banner. -
Hartford Convention
The Hartford Convention was an event in 1814–1815 in Hartford, Connecticut, in the United States, in which New England Federalists met to discuss their complaints concerning the on going War of 1812, and the political problems rising from the federal government's increasing power. Despite radical outcries among Federalists for New England secession and a separate peace with Great Britain. -
The Treaty Of Ghent
The treaty of ghent signed on dec. 24 1814 officaly ended the war of 1812. Although fighting continued for sevral months after the treaty had benn signed. The most important engament after this point was the battle of New Orleans. -
Battle Of New Orleans
The battle of New Orleans was the last major military action of the war of 1812. The battle took place after the Treaty of Ghent, meaning the the war was officialy over. The Americans under the command of Andrew Jackson, had been fighting with gorrillia tactics for weeks. But the main battle came after the end of the war, on January eigth. Jackson and his men were in a prepared position. The British charged Jackson, this was a dire mistake. The British would lose 2,500 men. -
The British Defeat Napoleon At Waterloo
In June of 1815, British troops under the command of the Duke of Wellington, along with some Prussion support waged battle with Napoleon of France, at Waterloo. The battle ended with France's former Emperor being defated yet again. He was exiled and never seen again.
