Lesson 10.4: The War of 1812

Today’s essential question: What were the major

causes and outcomes of the War of 1812?

What We Already KnowFrom 1783 until 1812, the American military fought Indians in the Northwest and Barbary pirates in the Mediterranean, but no major wars against

European nations.

What We Already Know

Between 1803 and 1812, the British

navy had captured about 6,000

American sailors and forced them to

serve on British ships.

What We Already Know

Young War Hawks like Henry Clay pushed

Congress into declaring war on Britain.

On June 18, 1812 Congress declared war on Great Britain.• At almost the same time, Parliament

voted to end British interference with American shipping.

• The British announcement took several weeks to cross the Atlantic and arrived too late to prevent war.

The War of 1812 Begins• When the war began, the

United States military was weak.

• The navy had only about 16 ships.

• The army had fewer than 7,000 men, who were poorly trained and equipped.

• U.S. officers had very little experience.

There were two phases of the War of 1812.

From 1812 to 1814, Britain concentrated on its war against France.

After the British defeated France in 1814, they would turn their complete attention to the

United States.

The First Phase of the WarAlthough the U.S. Navy was small,

its warships were the fastest afloat.

The Navy’s officers had gained valuable experience fighting the Barbary pirates.

Early stirring victories by ships such as the Constitution and the United States

won boosted American confidence.

The most important U.S. naval victory took place on Lake Erie

in September 1813.• A British force on the lake attacked a

force of American ships led by Oliver Hazard Perry.

• Although Perry’s ship was destroyed, he rowed to another ship, took charge, and went on to win the battle.

• The British were forced to begin a retreat back to Canada.

On land, General William Henry Harrison chased the fleeing

British all the way to Canada and defeated them at the Battle of the Thames in October, 1813.

Tecumseh died in the battle fighting for the British. The British and Indian threats to the Northwest were brought to an end.

By April 1814, Napoleon had been defeated and Britain focused on the war against America.

The Second Phase of the War

In August of 1814, British forces invaded the United States and

burned the Capitol building and the

president’s mansion.

The Second Phase of the War

In September, British ships shelled Fort McHenry near Baltimore in an

all-night battle.

AWashington

lawyer named Francis Scott Key

watched the battle all night from a nearby

ship.

At dawn, he could see that the flag was still flying. Key showed his pride by writing a poem

that would become our national anthem.

Oh, say, can you see by the dawn's early light what so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming,

whose broad stripes and bright stars, thru the perilous fight,

O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming?

And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air, gave proof through the night that our flag was still there.

O say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

The Battle of Lake Champlain• In September, the British sent a force

from Canada across Lake Champlain. • Its goal was to push south and cut off

New England. • But in September 1814, an American

fleet defeated the British in the Battle of Lake Champlain.

Diplomacy in Europe

While the War of 1812 raged on, American and British diplomats signed the Treaty of Ghent ending the war in December 1814.

Unaware of the Treaty of Ghent, both sides continued to fight in the United States.

In the South, the British targeted the strategic port of New Orleans.

In the South, the British targeted the strategic port of New Orleans.

A U.S. general, Andrew Jackson, put together an army to defend the port city.

When the British launched their attack in January 1815, their 7,500 troops were

quickly defeated by Jackson’s soldiers.

Victory in New Orleans

• American casualties totaled 71, compared to Britain’s 2,000.

Victory in New Orleans

• American casualties totaled 71, compared to Britain’s 2,000.

• Victory in the Battle of New Orleans made Jackson a national hero.

The War of 1812 had no clear winner, because little was changed.1. Under the terms

of the Treaty of Ghent, no territory exchanged hands.

2. None of the other issues (such as impressment) were resolved.

The War of 1812 had several important outcomes.

1) American patriotism increased

because of the heroic exploits of men such as

Jackson and Perry.

2) The war broke the strength of

Native Americans, who had sided with

the British.

3) Because the war had interrupted trade, Americans were forced to make many of their

own goods. This encouraged the growth of U.S. manufacturers.

17. What was the most significant outcome of the

War of 1812?

The United States proved it could defend itself against the mightiest military power of

the time, and this caused a new sense of national pride and political unity to sweep

the country.

Americans grew confident that their young nation’s independence would

continue and the country would prosper.

First Phase of the War of 1812 Second Phase of the War of 1812Date Event Date EventJune1812

Congress declares war on Britain

August 1814

British burn U.S. capitol and president’s

mansion

September 1813

Perry defeats the British at the Battle of

Lake Erie

September 1814

British attack Ft. McHenry; British fleet defeated at Battle of

Lake Champlain

October 1813

Harrison defeats the British at Battle of the Thames; Tecumseh is

killed

December 1814

Treaty of Ghent signed; war ends

April1814

Napoleon is defeated; Britain shifts its focus to the United States

January 1815

Andrew Jackson defeats British at Battle

of New Orleans

What Did Not Change What Did Change  1. No territory changed hands.  2. Trade disputes were left unresolved. 

 1. American patriotism increased. 2. The Native American threat was ended. 3. U.S. manufacturing increased.

Major Events of the War of 1812

Effects of the War of 1812