THE WAR OF 1812
Causes, Battles and Effects of the War of 1812
Causes of the War of 1812
British attempts to restrict US trade, the empressment of American Seamen and the American desire to expand its territory. While Great Brittain and France were locked in a bitter conflict, both sides attempted to block US from trading with either side. Brittain passed the Orders in Council requiring neutral countries to obtain a license before trading with France. The Royal Navy outraged Americans by removing seamen from US merchant vessels and forced them to serve on behalf of the British. The Embargo Act was repealed by US Congress in 1809, and replaced it with the non-intercourse act prohitbiting trade with Brittain and France. Then James Madison was elected President, and a new Congress was elected and they wanted to go into War.
The Battles of the War of 1812
The attack of Canada by the US
The Raid of the Chesapeake Bay
In order to get at Great Brittain, The US attacked Canada, but were poorly equipped and were forced back across the US line and gave up Detroit.
The Raid of the Cheasapeake Bay by Brittain captured Washington and burned the Capital and the White House. Baltimores Fort McHenry withstood 25 hours of bombardment by British Navy. The The US hoisted a huge US flag above the fort. This inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star Spangled Banner" which was later adopted as the National Anthem.
Effects of the War of 1812
The War ended on December 24, 1814 and commissioners signed the Treaty of Ghent. Then on January 8, 1815, British forces attached New Orleans and met defeat at the hand of future US President Andrew Jackson's army. The news brought a feeling of victory to the US and boosted the morale of Americans, even though the country had achieved none of its pre war objectives. The War marked the demise of the Federalist Party and ended decades of bitter partisan infighting in the government and ushered in the "Era of Good Feelings".