5.3 The War of 1812

Burning of Washington, D. C.

After a successful campaign along the Chesapeake Bay and victory at the Battle of Bladensburg, the British attacked Washington, DC on August 24, 1814. Most of the city was burned, but the United States didn't surrender. A gigantic storm forced the British to abandon the city and put out the fire.

Andrew Jackson

American commander who successfully led troops in the South (Battle of Horseshoe Bend) against Creek Indians, resulting in the cession of 23 million acres of land from the Creeks. He also successfully defended the United States against a January 1815 attack at New Orleans, resulting in the the most dramatic victory of the War of 1812.

U. S. S. Constitution

American ship in War of 1812 which won an early battle against H. M. S. Guerriere in August 1812. A British cannonball bounced off the ship, sustaining no damage. This earned a nickname of "Old Ironsides" for this ship. It was a huge moral victory and encouraged our small navy.

Adams-Onis Treaty

Before, during, and after the War of 1812, Americans encroached into Spanish-held Florida. The weakened Spanish were unable to effectively govern Florida, so the Adams-Onis Treaty ceded Florida to the United States in return for the United States renouncing its claims to present-day Texas.

Hartford Convention

By the fall of 1814, New Englanders had grown frustrated with the war as their economy suffered. This aggravated additional frustrations concerning their sense of loss of influence in Washington. During that fall, anti-war New England Federalists met and eventually called for constitutional amendments to empower their region. They had discussed secession from the United States, but it wasn't one of their final agreements. When the U. S. achieved victory in the war, the Federalists were discredited for their lack of support.

War of 1812

Conflict between the United States and England (1812-1815). The United States complained that Britain: was impressing American sailors, interfered with our trade and shipping with France, attacked the U. S. S. Chesapeake, and supported Native Americans within our borders to attack settlers.

Battle of Tippecanoe

In November 1811, conflict fought near present day Lafayette, Indiana between United States forces led by Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory and Native American warriors associated with the Shawnee leader Tecumseh (although he wasn't there); Governor Harrison marched with an army of about 1,000 men and successfully defeated the Indians, dispersing the confederacy's headquarters and stopping Indian momentum.

Non-Intercourse Act

In response to the failure of France and Britain to respect the rights of American ships at sea, President Madison supported this legislation in 1809, which authorized trade with all countries except Britain and France, and stated that trade would resume with those countries as soon as they respected America's rights as a neutral power and lift their restriction on American shipping. It was hoped this would work since the Embargo Act of 1807 hadn't. The British and French largely ignored this act also.

Battle of New Orleans

January 1815 battle in which the British attacked heavily fortified Americans defending the mouth of the Mississippi River. The British wanted to take control of the river and force United States surrender. The surrounding area would then form a separate zone for Native Americans. The United States successfully defended the attack and won the most dramatic victory of the war.

Battle of the Thames

October 1813 battle in which William Henry Harrison pursued the retreating British into Canada (toward present-day Chatham, Ontario). Harrison's army defeated the British, ending the British threat in the Northwest; and Tecumseh's confederacy of Indians. Tecumseh died during the battle, and his dreams of an Indian Confederacy ended.

Tecumseh

Shawnee leader who wanted to preserve Native American culture and attempted to organize an Amerindian confederacy to prevent the loss of additional territory to American settlers. He eventually became an ally of the British in the War of 1812 and died in battle.

William Henry Harrison

Son of Benjamin Harrison, governor of Virginia and signer of the Declaration of Independence; he aided Wayne in the Battle of Fallen Timbers campaign, and later became governor of the Indiana Territory. As such, the fought Indians in 1811, and Indians and British during the War of 1812. Acquired the nickname, "Old Tippecanoe."

armistice

The treaty to end the War of 1812 was an agreement to an _____, or end to fighting. Further negotiations would occur between Britain and the United States to continue to resolve additional differences

Francis Scott Key

a Washington lawyer who, while negotiating for the release of his friend, a British prisoner, was forced to stay on the deck of a British ship during the seige of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Maryland. During the bombardment of the fort, he wrote a poem describing the events.

"The Star Spangled Banner"

a poem of the events describing the bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Maryland in Sept. 1814. The fort didn't fall to the British, and this successful defense proved inspirational to the country. This poem of the events was later put to a tune and, eventually named our national anthem.

James Madison

as Jefferson's Secretary of State (1801-1809), he was ready to step into the White House--and did when elected our fourth president in 1808. Madison continued Democratic-Republican principles and wanted to maintain Jefferson's path of neutrality on the international stage. Deepening crises, however, led to Congress declaring war on Britain in 1812 with Madison at the lead. His popularity grew with our victory and he handed over the presidency to his Secretary of State, James Monroe, upon his election in 1816.

War Hawks

members of Congress who pushed for war against Great Britain beginning in 1810. The were upset with British support for Native Americans in the West and also wanted to expand and take Canada and Florida. The group was led by John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay

Oliver Hazard Perry

naval commander at the Battle of Lake Erie (Put-in-Bay) in Sept 1813. Achieved victory, thus gaining control of Lake Erie and forcing the British to evacuate back to Canada. He sent Gen. Harrison this inspiring report, "We have met the enemy and they are ours!"

Treaty of Ghent

treaty signed between Great Britain and the United States on December 24, 1815 that ended War of 1812. Pre-war boundaries were agreed upon. Impressment wasn't addressed, but it wasn't needed any longer due to end of hostilities between Britain and France. Native American and Canadian concerns were ignored during negotiations.