The War of 1812
By: Samuel Turner
Conflicts that led to the War of 1812
Shortly before the war there were small conflicts that had an impact on the country, which led to The War of 1812.
Impressment
Impressment was actions that Britain took against American ships and sailors. The British would capture sailors and take over American ships, this caused many Americans to cry for war against Britain. France had noticed these actions that Britain had been committing and were pushed to try to help America. France and Britain had already declared war anyways.
Embargo of 1807
The Embargo of 1807 was an act passed by Thomas Jefferson that cut off all trade between all of Europe and America. This caused the suffering of America's economy and it caused Britain to become angry because they couldn't continue impressment since no ships were leaving America's harbors.
Native American Attacks
Now Native attacks were a common thing on the Western front of America but there was one attack that stood out from the rest of the attacks, The Battle of Tippecanoe. This "battle" is important because of a discovery American soldiers found, British weapons in the hands of Natives. The Americans won this battle and caused a Native named Tecumseh to retreat and when he did he retreated to Canada, which was controlled by Britain, confirming that the British were arming the Natives so they could attack Americans.
War Declared
Congress was asked by James Madison to think about declaring war against Britian. Congress was split on the decision though, Northern congressmen were set on opposing the war but Southern and Western congressmen, Democratic-Republicans, and War Hawks were all set on the declaration of war. The North of America called it "Mr. Madison's War."
Fighting the British on the Canadian border
The British after the War for Independence had built forts along the Canadian/American border but were ordered by the United States to leave these forts, but never complied. So when The War of 1812 broke out these forts were activated and the American Navy and British Navy deployed ships on the Great Lakes and fought.
Fighting around the Chesapeake Bay
The British used Chesapeake Bay to charge into Washington D.C, this caused members of the federal government, including James Madison, to flee as the British charged D.C. When the British reached there destination they burned down the Capitol Building and The White House.
Fighting at New Orleans
The British attacked Americans at New Orleans and the Mississippi River to try to cut off supplies and trade so the American Army would have problems defending theirselves from the approaching British. Andrew Jackson led the Americans to the Battle of New Orleans and beat the British out of New Orleans and away from the Mississippi. This battle made Jackson a national hero and inspired American Nationalism.
Treaty of Ghent
The Treaty of Ghent was the formal document signed by the British and the Americans that officialy ended the War of 1812. This document established peace and all territory was returned to the original owners from before the war. This peace treaty ended the war with a truce, no one won, no one lost. Since this war was fought against the British the Americans saw this war as a "Second War of Independence."
The Aftermath of The War of 1812
The war had multiple effects on the country and here are some of them. Economically America grew and grew, the factories of America developed and Americans depended less on British manufacturing. Politically, Americans William Henry Harrison and Andrew Jackson became American heroes, and the Federalists looked more and more unpatriotic due to their support of the British before the war. America had also become a world power. Culturally, America had entered a period of nationalism, and Americans became more and more patriotic. America turned from expanding into Europe and look westward. The American culture had been changed and was way different from the culture of Europe. This all happened within a era known as "The Era of Good Feelings."