The War of 1812

1812 – 1815

Manifest Destiny

19th century belief among Americans that the United States should expand throughout the entire North American continentRight given by God

Introduction

United States v. Britain Americans in the West and South hoped to expand US by taking control of both Canada and Florida. “Mr. Madison’s War”; “The Second war of Independence”

Didn’t we just get done fighting a war against the British?

Causes

British interfere with manifest destinyBritish insult American honor through impressment of US ships

British Interfere with Manifest Destiny

British soldiers still stationed in forts in US territoryBritish traded guns with the Amerindians and encouraged them to attack American settlers in the westBritish controlled Canada – prevented it from becoming a state (US wanted it)

British Insult American Honor

Interfered with tradeImpressment – British ships stopped American ships and forced sailors to fight in British navyBrits stole cargo from US ships to France

First Phase = Failure

June 18, 1812-the winter of 1813In July American army invaded Canada but finally lost Detroit, without fighting a battle.The Americans made a second attempt to invade Canada on the Niagara frontier and were defeated again due to the lack of help from the militia.A third American effort to invade Canada also ended ingloriously north of Plattsburgh, New York. Once again the militia refused to cross into Canada and instead marched back to winter quarters at Plattsburgh.

Second Phase

Spring 1803 – WinterGeneral Dearborn raided York (now Toronto), Ontario and the Americans burned several government buildings. Americans attempted to attack Montréal but retreated.On December 18, a British column captured Fort Niagara with the loss of only eight men. Later British army burned the towns of Black Rock and Buffalo, New York.

Third Phase – “Look at the blaze!”

Napoleon was defeated by the British in the early spring of 1814.On August 18 the British landed 3500 troops in Maryland.The Capitol, the White House, and the navy yard, including all the ships anchored there were burned.

Star-Spangled Banner

Fort McHenryInspired Francis S. Key to write the words of the “Star-Spangled Banner”, which became the national anthem of the United States.

Turning Point: the Battle of Lake Champlain on September 11

Captain Thomas McDonough (US) defeated a powerful British naval squadron and cut off the waterborne supply line of British ground troops.

The War Ends

Both countries signed the peace agreement, known as the Treaty of Ghent, on December 24, 1814. American negotiators believed they had triumphed.More realistically, the fledgling nation had the extraordinary good fortune to escape the consequences of a war that it had badly mismanaged from the outset.

The Battle of New Orleans

Andrew JacksonAmerican victory after the war was over