The War of 1812
Americans came out of the war with a renewed sense of nationhood. Canada was an important battleground during the War of 1812 (British forces were weak there). The Americans offensive strategy was poor (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Great Lakes:
If they had captured Montreal, the center of population and transportation in Canada everything to the west might have died. The Americans tried to invade Detroit, Niagara, and Lake Champlain but were stopped and forced to retreat after they had crossed the Canadian border. Americans looked for success on the water after failed land invasions of Canada. British and Canadians had brilliant defensive operations. They were led by British General Isaac Brock. The American Navy did an outstanding job compared to the Army. Control of the Great Lakes was vital. Naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry built a fleet of green-timbered ships on Lake Erie’s shore. He captured a British fleet on the lake. Redcoats withdrew from Detroit and Fort Malden. These redcoats that were retreating were met by General Harrison’s army and lost to Harrison’s army at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.By 1814 the Americans were defending their soil against invading British (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
British Burning of Washington, D.C.
4,000 British soldiers took over the city of Washington D.C. on August 24. Residents fled the city. British hoped that burning the capital would ruin the Americans motivation for war. British began destroying public buildings in the city. They set fire to the President’s Mansion (The White House), the capital, and other buildings (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Battle of Baltimore
Americans held their ground at Baltimore while Washington burned. British fled and fired at Fort McHenry but failed to capture the city. Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” which eventually became the nation anthem white detained on a British ship (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Battle of New Orleans
In 1814 British aimed at New Orleans. Andrew Jackson was placed in command. Jackson’s force consisted of seven thousand sailors, regulars, pirates, frenchmen, and some militiamen from Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Two regiments of free black volunteers from Louisiana also made up Jackson’s force. 8,000 British soldiers launched frontal assault on January 8, 1815. The British lost around 2,000 men in the first half hour. The Americans only lost around 70 soldiers. The Battle of New Orleans was an astonishing victory for Jackson and his men. Jackson became a national hero. The Treaty of Ghent had already been signed two weeks before the battle. British Navy retaliated by blockading America’s coast and landing raiding parties. The American economy was crippled (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Treaty of Ghent
Tzar Alexander I of Russia did not want his British allu to let go of its strength in America. He was also hard-pressed by Napoleon’s army. Tsar proposed mediation between the Anglo-Saxon cousins as early as 1812. British wanted Indian buffer state in Great Lakes. British wanted control of Great Lakes and part of Maine. America rejected British demands. Britain was becoming weary of war and was willing to compromise. On December 24, 1814, Treaty of Ghent was signed. Tsar's feeler set in motion eventually the machinery that brought 5 American peacemakers to Belgium city of Ghent in 1814 where the group was headed by John Quincy Adams (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Great Lakes:
If they had captured Montreal, the center of population and transportation in Canada everything to the west might have died. The Americans tried to invade Detroit, Niagara, and Lake Champlain but were stopped and forced to retreat after they had crossed the Canadian border. Americans looked for success on the water after failed land invasions of Canada. British and Canadians had brilliant defensive operations. They were led by British General Isaac Brock. The American Navy did an outstanding job compared to the Army. Control of the Great Lakes was vital. Naval officer Oliver Hazard Perry built a fleet of green-timbered ships on Lake Erie’s shore. He captured a British fleet on the lake. Redcoats withdrew from Detroit and Fort Malden. These redcoats that were retreating were met by General Harrison’s army and lost to Harrison’s army at the Battle of the Thames in 1813.By 1814 the Americans were defending their soil against invading British (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
British Burning of Washington, D.C.
4,000 British soldiers took over the city of Washington D.C. on August 24. Residents fled the city. British hoped that burning the capital would ruin the Americans motivation for war. British began destroying public buildings in the city. They set fire to the President’s Mansion (The White House), the capital, and other buildings (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Battle of Baltimore
Americans held their ground at Baltimore while Washington burned. British fled and fired at Fort McHenry but failed to capture the city. Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star Spangled Banner” which eventually became the nation anthem white detained on a British ship (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Battle of New Orleans
In 1814 British aimed at New Orleans. Andrew Jackson was placed in command. Jackson’s force consisted of seven thousand sailors, regulars, pirates, frenchmen, and some militiamen from Louisiana, Kentucky, and Tennessee. Two regiments of free black volunteers from Louisiana also made up Jackson’s force. 8,000 British soldiers launched frontal assault on January 8, 1815. The British lost around 2,000 men in the first half hour. The Americans only lost around 70 soldiers. The Battle of New Orleans was an astonishing victory for Jackson and his men. Jackson became a national hero. The Treaty of Ghent had already been signed two weeks before the battle. British Navy retaliated by blockading America’s coast and landing raiding parties. The American economy was crippled (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
Treaty of Ghent
Tzar Alexander I of Russia did not want his British allu to let go of its strength in America. He was also hard-pressed by Napoleon’s army. Tsar proposed mediation between the Anglo-Saxon cousins as early as 1812. British wanted Indian buffer state in Great Lakes. British wanted control of Great Lakes and part of Maine. America rejected British demands. Britain was becoming weary of war and was willing to compromise. On December 24, 1814, Treaty of Ghent was signed. Tsar's feeler set in motion eventually the machinery that brought 5 American peacemakers to Belgium city of Ghent in 1814 where the group was headed by John Quincy Adams (Kennedy, Cohen, Bailey).
