The War of 1812The War of 1812 started when President James Madison asked Congress to declare war on Great Britain.

Congress declared war on June 18, 1812.

What are some major events leading to The War of 1812?

Great Britain was preventing the United States from trading with France by blockading, or closing off, the American coast.

Great Britain was kidnapping American sailors and forcing them to work on British ships. This was called impressment.

What are some major events leading to The War of 1812?

The United States was interested in acquiringCanada from Great Britain.

The British had helped the American Indians fight American settlers on the frontier.

Speaker of the House Henry Clay and other peoplein Congress who wanted to declare war on Great Britain were known as the War Hawks

What were some of the benefits of going to war with Britain?

To allow re-opening of tradeNational PrideTo stop the impressment of sailorsCANADA!!!

Declaration of WarJune of 1812 President James Madison asked Congress for declaration of war

War started with the invasion of Canada

Key BattlesOn August 19, 1812, the USS Constitution, an American warship, sank the HMS Guerrière. The ship was given the nickname "Old Ironsides" and became a national symbol of the United States because it represented America's strength.

Key BattlesCommodore Oliver Hazard Perry led the U.S. navy to victory at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10, 1813. He is known for having a battle flag on his ship that read, "Don't give up the ship.”

American Indian leader Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. Tecumseh fought on the side of the Britishduring the war and tried to unite American Indians from different tribes.

The Roof is on Fire…In August 1814, British forces Sailed into Chesapeake Bay and capturedWashington D.C.British forces burnedthe White House and the U.S. CapitolMadison and Congress barely escape

Oh Say Can You See…Unlike D.C., Baltimore was ready for the BritishAfter bombarding Fort McHenry on September 13, 1814 The British abandon the attackFrancis Scott Key witnessed the bombardment and wrote a poem, The Stars-Spangled Banner, which becomes the National Anthem.

Treaty of GhentThe Treaty of Ghent ended the War of 1812.Neither the United States nor Great Britain could claim a victory.The United States did not gain or lose any land.Although the U.S. did not win the war, it had several important victories during the war against the powerful British. This led to a new sense of nationalism in the United States.

Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleans actually took place after the War of 1812 was officially over. The Treaty of Ghent had been signed but it took a long time for news to travel across the Atlantic Ocean to the United States. The people who fought at the battle did not know the war was over. The battle took place in January 1815, and General Andrew Jackson led the American troops to victory.

If The War of 1812 ended in a tie, why was it important?

Gave the United States a national identityWe were able to hold our own against the BritishStarted us thinking about continuing westward expansionEnded bad feelings toward the British

Creates a hero in Andrew Jackson and the Western Frontiersmen