National Identity:

The War of 1812

Treaty of Greenville (1795)

In1795, the Treaty of Greenville forced the Indians to sell much of their land in

the Northwest Territory and open for settlement by white settlers. The territory

had formerly only been inhabited by Indians.

However several Indian leaders claimed that the men who approved the selling

of the land did not have the right to do so.

“Do you think we can

trust their promises

this time?”

Tecumseh and the Prophet Among those angered by white encroachment on their land were two

Shawnee leaders. One was named Tecumseh and the other was his brother

called the Prophet.

Tecumseh convinced many Native American tribes to join together in a

confederation against the white settlers.

Tecumseh’s brother, the Prophet, gave

spiritual guidance to Native Americans.

Shawnee warrior

Tecumseh united tribes

across the continent to

block settlers' westward

expansion.

Tippecanoe Creek (November 7, 1811)

Native warriors ambushed the American forces commanded by Governor

Harrison. The American force held its ground and pursued the Indians back to

their village at Tippecanoe where Harrison's men plundered and burned it to

the ground. Both the warriors and the Americans suffered about two hundred

dead or wounded. Harrison won instant national fame.

William Henry Harrison’s

victory over Tecumseh at

Tippecanoe will catapult

him to the White House

Many Native Americans were so outraged by the battle that they joined forces with the British military to fight

against their common enemy, the Americans.

Relationship Between the United States and England Sour

British refused to leave forts in the Northwest Territory settlements in the

Northwest Territory. (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan) and began to arm the Indians

and encouraged them to attack American settlers

British seized Americans on the High Seas and forced them to serve in the

British navy.

British seized Americans on the High Seas and forced them to

serve in the British navy.

An Uneasy Alliance: Indians and the British

The American expansion policy threatened not only the Native American way

of life, but the British fur trade and Canadian territory as well.

In 1807 the British actively sought Native American alliances when they

realized tensions between the United States and Britain could escalate into

military conflict. The British realized the necessity of having Native Americans

as allies to protect the Canadian border.

The British encouraged Indians to attack American settlements by giving them

presents of food, clothing, guns, and ammunition.

Tecumseh joined the British after

they pledged to rid the Ohio

Valley of the Settlers.

Native American Trouble Along the Frontier Native Americans were upset that American settlers continued to move onto

their lands and began to attack the settlers.

Indians played an important role in several battles including the capture of American Forts Mackinac and Detroit.

Conditions in the British navy were terrible and the discipline on the English

ships was tough. Many British sailors deserted and went to work on U.S.

ships.

Typical Naval Punishment Aboard a British Ship

For running into debt while on shore leave 12 strokes of the whip

For tearing a sailors frock (coat) 09 strokes of the whip

For filthiness 12 strokes of the whip

For drunkenness or breaking into the 12 strokes of the whip

liquor closet

For making too much noise in quarters 06 strokes of the whip

For dirty or unwashed clothes 12 strokes of the whip

Being out of hammock (bed) after hours. 12 strokes of the whip

For stealing bread from the oven. 09 strokes of the whip

For taking clothes on shore to sell. 12 strokes of the whip

Naval Punishment Video

Seaman James Durand, 1805

“I have seen a man hauled up and made to receive eighteen lashes for a crime no more serious

than spitting on the quarter deck. Such outrages on human nature ought not to be permitted by

a government which boasts of liberty. No monarch in the world is more absolute than the Captain

of a Man-of-war.

The situation of a sailor, exposed as he is to the vicissitudes of life, to the inclemency’s of the

seasons, to the fury of storms and tempests, is sufficiently arduous without its being rendered more

so by the cruelties of his fellow beings.

Quote about Discipline and Flogging

Because the British Royal Navy was engaged in a life and death struggle with

France in the early 1800s, it became necessary to recapture deserters from

other ships to keep the Royal Navy strong. British naval officers often

boarded American ships and demanded to see papers stating citizenship. If

the papers looked forged or the British officers suspected the people on

board were really British citizens, not American, then they took those men

and forced them to return to British naval ships.

Impressment

War of 1812 Impressment Video

Thousands of British seamen chose to jump ship in favor of joining the American trading ships. It is estimated that of

the 6,000 sailors impressed into British naval service about 1,300 were actually American, not British deserters.

Chesapeake / Leopard Affair The H.M.S. Leopard (British vessel) needed sailors and claimed that the U.S.

merchant vessel, U.S.S. Chesapeake, had 4 British deserters aboard it.

The H.M.S. Leopard ordered the unarmed Chesapeake to stop and release

sailors. When the Chesapeake refused to stop, the Leopard opened fire and

killed/wounded 20 U.S. sailors.

The British boarded the ship and took four men prisoner whom they claimed

were deserters. The incident caused many Americans to demand that war be

declared against England.

The British Royal Navy continued boarding American ships. Many Americans considered these actions an insult to

the United States and demanded a declaration of war.

War Hawks

Henry Clay

Members of the House of Representatives from the Southern and the western

United States that demanded that Congress declare war on Britain. Ultimately,

the War Hawks were able to convince the majority of congressmen to vote in

favor of war. Not everyone in the United States supported the ideas of the War

Hawks. Many from the Northeastern region of the United States were opposed

to war with Britain.

John C. Calhoun

The War Hawks were confident that Britain

would yield to U.S. demands if it saw that

America was seriously considering military

action. After all, Britain was already deeply

involved in war with Napoleon in Europe.

How could they possibly fight against the

United States too?

The War Hawks were united by outrage

regarding the British practice of

impressments of American sailors. They

were convinced that a declaration of war was

the only honorable response to these

repeated violations.

War is Declared President Madison didn't want war, but Congress insisted. The United States

declared war on England June 18, 1812.

The South and the West voted for war, and the Northeast did not.

The United States was not prepared for war with Great Britain. The American

army and navy were too small. The government lacked money to finance its

military. Could America stand up to the power British Empire, again?

The British agreed to end its impressments of U.S. sailors

two days before the declaration of war, unfortunately,

because of delays in communication, the United States didn't

know this.

Military Strength Video

James Madison, 5 feet, 4 inches tall,

was the shortest president of the

United States. Abraham Lincoln was

the tallest at 6 feet, 4 inches.

President Madison

War of 1812

War fought between the US and Great Britain in the early 1800s. The United

States Congress declared war on England on June 18, 1812.

United States Invades Canada

Many Americans believed that going to war with Britain would help the

United States gain Canada and end Native American attacks.

The prevailing thought was that the French Canadians would join the

American army once troops crossed the border and the capture of Canada

would be a simple and swift.

Unfortunately, the French Canadians did not join the fight and the American

army stood alone and was soundly defeated.

Canadian Campaign Video The plan to invade from three directions failed.

“We have met the enemy and

they are ours.“

Oliver Hazard Perry

Battle of Lake Erie

Battle of Lake Erie and Oliver Hazard Perry (Sept. 10, 1813)

The United States had more success on the sea. Under the command of

Commodore Oliver Perry, the U.S. fleet attacked the British fleet on Lake

Erie near Put-in-Bay (Ohio) in September 1813. After a four-hour battle, the

British surrendered. This victory gave the United States control of Lake Erie

and forced the British to evacuate Detroit and retreat back to Canada. But by

the end of 1813, the United States had still not conquered Canada.

“We have met the enemy and they are ours."

Round Shot

If they wanted to hit a distant target, they would fire round shot (cannon ball).

Constitution’s cannon fired shot made of cast iron that weighed 24 or 32 pounds and were about 5 ½ and 6 1/10 inches in diameter. The maximum range for round shot was about 2400 yards, or 1.36 miles (this is the length of 20 football fields). At the right distance, round shot could punch through the side of a ship, leaving a ragged hole and producing a cloud of deadly splinters. If a ship was struck low in the hull, water might rush in and the ship could sink.

Bar Shot

If a gun crew wished to damage an enemy’s sails and rigging, they could load and fire bar shot.

Made of wrought (hammered) iron, bar shot consisted of two hemispheres joined in the middle by a stiff iron bar. When fired, bar shot spun at high speed and cut through sails and ropes like a buzz saw. It had a limited range, however, so could only be used when the ships were close to each other.

Naval Cannon Rounds Used During the War of 1812

We don’t need no cannon… with our

rock hard muscles… we can throw

cannonballs at ships without breaking a

sweat.

Round Shot

Bar Shot

U.S.S. Constitution The pride of the American Navy was a 44-gun warship. The warship was

called the U.S.S.Constitution, nicknamed Old Ironsides. Captain Isaac Hull

commanded the Constitution. In fact, the Constitution led off the war at sea

with a victory over the British warship, the H.M.S. Guerriere (gair-Yair)

The was nicknamed “Old Ironsides,” because

cannonballs seemed to bounced off its wooden sides.

Constitution's stated mission today is to promote understanding of the Navy's role in war and peace through

educational outreach, historic demonstration, and active participation in public events. As a fully commissioned US

Navy ship, her crew of 60 officers and sailors participate in ceremonies, educational programs, and special events

while keeping the ship open to visitors year round and providing free tours. The officers and crew are all active-

duty US Navy personnel and the assignment is considered special duty in the Navy. USS Constitution Video

The British Invasion of 1814

In April 1814, the British transferred large numbers of ships and experienced

troops to America. One of the regions slated for attack was the Chesapeake Bay

region. By sweeping up the bay, British forces could threaten several major

American cities, including Baltimore and Washington, D.C.

American resistance to the attack was weak and disorganized. The British easily

swept aside American resistance at the Battle of Bladensburg and moved on to

Washington, D.C.

British Capture and Burn Washington, D.C.

In August of 1814, the British entered Washington. They burned the Capitol

building and the White House.

Dolly Madison

directed the removal

and safe storage of

precious holdings.

One of these holdings

was the famous

portrait of George

Washington by

Gilbert Stuart.

The British boasted

that, if captured, they

would parade Dolly

Madison through the

streets of London as

a prisoner of war.

Today, this same portrait of

George Washington by

Gilbert Stuart still hangs in

the east Room of the White

House.

Burning of Washington Video

British Advance to Baltimore

After destroying Washington, the British next moved on Baltimore. Standing

in their way was Fort McHenry at the entrance to Baltimore Harbor.

Fort McHenry The British fleet began lobbing hundreds of bombshells and rockets at Ft.

McHenry. Despite the massive bombardment, the American forces refused to

surrender. The fort withstood the cannonade and in the morning, the Americans

raised their flag to show that the fort was still theirs. Baltimore was saved after

the British withdrew after their unsuccessful 24-hour siege.

Fort McHenry Video

Francis Scott Key A young American lawyer named Francis Scott Key, who was detained on one

of the British ships, witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry. Francis

Scott Key was so inspired by the drama of the events that he was inspired to

write a poem, the Defense of Fort McHenry, "O, say can you see by the dawn's

early light?" His poem would evolve into our national anthem.

During the battle, the flag was hit 11 times. After the war, the poem and music were united and published first in

Philadelphia as the "Star Spangled Banner," which was then played on patriotic occasions. In 1889, the Secretary of

the Navy ordered the song played every time the flag was raised. Congress passed a law making the "Star Spangled

Banner" the national anthem in 1931.

Star Spangled Banner 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, through 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?

Star Spangled Banner Video

Material from the flag was used to wrap one of the fallen defenders

killed during the British bombardment of the fort. The flag was

periodically displayed to the public and people were even allowed to

clip pieces from the flag as souvenirs.

Between 1815 and 1907, eight feet of the length of the flag was snipped

away. Today the flag is one of the great artifacts in the Smithsonian

Institution’s Museum of American History.

Battle of the Thames

On October 5, 1814 the British were defeated at the battle of the Thames

(Moraviantown) by an American army under the command of General

William Henry Harrison. Nearly all the British troops were captured and

Tecumseh, the great Native American leader, was killed.

Battle of New Orleans (January 8, 1815)

A British army was sent to capture the city and win control of the Mississippi

River. On January 8, 1815, The British launched a fierce frontal assault with

7,500 soldiers against the entrenched American lines of around 4,000 men and

were repulsed with heavy casualties. Jackson and his ragtag army had won the

last major battle of the war and saved New Orleans.

Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton

This song won the 1959 Grammys for Song of the

Year and Best Country and Western Performance

for Johnny Horton.

The battle of New Orleans occurred after the treaty that

had already ended the War of 1812 was signed.

Battle of New Orleans Video

Andrew Jackson

An American general who won the Battles of New Orleans during the

War of 1812.

President Madison put General Andrew Jackson of Tennessee in charge of defending the city. Jackson’s

soldiers played the decisive role in the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

Jackson would later be elected as President of the United States and serve two terms between 1828-1836.

Treaty of Ghent

The peace treaty that ended the War of 1812.

Peace negotiations began in Ghent, Belgium in August of 1814. After four

months of talks, the treaty was signed on December 24, 1814. The War of 1812

ended in a stalemate. The treaty returned all territorial conquests made by both

sides.

Britain ended its practice of impressment at the close of the War of 1812.

Shanghaiing (kidnapping sailors) was not outlawed in the United States until

1915.

National Identity

National pride and respect felt by US citizens after the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 produced a new generation of great

American generals, including Andrew Jackson and

Winfield Scott. It also helped propel no fewer than

four men to the presidency: Jackson, John Quincy

Adams, James Monroe and William Henry

Harrison.

Andrew Jackson Winfield Scott

John Quincy Adams

James Monroe

William Henry Harrison

Era of Good Feelings

After the War of 1812, Americans had national pride. Americans had a

greater feeling of loyalty toward the United States than toward their state

or region.

It was a time of political harmony in the country. One reason for this was

because the Republican Party was the only major political party that had

any power. The Federalist Party had lost political influence and popularity.

Adams-Onís Treaty of 1819

A treaty in 1919 between the United States and Spain in which Spain sold

Florida to the United States for five million U.S. dollars. It also set out a

boundary between the U.S. and New Spain (soon to be Mexico).

Spanish American Independence Movement

Spain’s colonies began to rebel in 1809. By 1824 all of Spain’s colonies on

the American mainland had declared their independence.

In the meantime Great Britain, Austria, Prussia, and Russia (and later

France) formed the Quadruple Alliance. These countries wanted to stop

movements against monarchies in Europe. Members of the alliance, except

Great Britain, discussed the possibility of helping Spain regain control of its

overseas colonies.

Monroe Doctrine

In response to European intervention in Latin American independence,

President Monroe issued the Monroe Doctrine. This foreign policy said that the

United States would not tolerate European intervention in the affairs of any

independent nation in the Americas.

European nations cannot

colonize any nation in the

Western Hemisphere. Any

attempt would be

considered an act of war

against the United States.