THE WAR OF 1812

Chapter 11 Section 3

Conflict with Britain

Year by year, the United States moved toward war with Britain.

1810 – France promised to end its attacks on American ships.

President James Madison (4th POTUS) cut off trade with Britain. Response: British attacks on American

ships continued.

James Madison 4th POTUS

Conflict at Home with the Indians Tecumseh - Shawnee Chief who worked

to create a confederacy of tribes Goal: that would stop the spread of settlers. Aided by: Tenskwatawa Tenskwatawa – prophet and brother of

Tecumseh. Claimed to have magical powers and they

seemed to be proven to his followers when he predicted a solar eclipse.

Prophet- a messenger from God

Tecumseh

Tenskwatawa

Battle of Tippecanoe

Prophetstown Built by followers

of Tecumseh and the Prophet

Capital Location: on the

Tippecanoe River in the present day state of Indiana.

Battle of Tippecanoe

Year:1811 What Happens: soldiers under Governor

William Henry Harrison scattered Tecumseh’s forces and burned down Prophetstown

(Harrison becomes the 9th POTUS and uses his nickname Old Tippecanoe in his campaign)

War Fever and War Hawks

After the Battle of Tippecanoe, the soldiers found British-made guns Evidence that the British had been arming

the Indians.

War Hawks – Federalists’ nickname for Republicans who were really eager to for battle

June 1812- War Hawks persuade Congress to go to war

Gov. William Henry Harrison

Defeating the Indians

Tecumseh and his followers joined the Canadians in pushing back American invading forces.

1814 – Tecumseh killed at the Battle of Thames ended the dream of a united Indian people. Soon after, the Indians of the Ohio country

signed a peace treaty with the United States.

Burning down the White House Date: August 23,1814 The British marched through Washington

D.C. and set the capital on fire. The President and his wife, Dolley, were

forced to flee the city and were drenched in a thunderstorm taking place at the time. The storm actually saved the White House)

Dolley Madison saved the portrait of George Washington, historic papers, and her pet parrot

British burn down the White House

Burning down the White House

The End Of The War of 1812

The Treaty of Ghent was signed in December and ended the War of 1812. Did not deal with the British seizure of

American ships. Peace brought with it a new spirit of

nationalism among Americans. Nationalism-pride in one’s own country

Battle of New Orleans 1815

General of the Battle: General Andrew Jackson Leads a “backwoods rabble” of untrained troops, free

African Americans, Indians, and a few pirates. January 1815 – General Andrew Jackson gave the

Americans a stunning victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans. ( 2000 – British killed or wounded, 8 –Americans killed or wounded)

When the news of Jackson’s stunning victory reached Washington, D.C., Andrew Jackson had become a national hero.

Fought 2 weeks after the Treaty of Ghent because word had not reached New Orleans yet

General Andrew Jackson

General Andrew Jackson

Battle of Fort McHenry

September 13, 1814 – British Warships bombed Fort McHenry all day and night

Francis Scott Key watched the bombardments from a ship in the harbor

The next day Key saw a tattered American flag waving at Fort McHenry.

Key captured his feelings in a poem called, “The Defense of Fort McHenry”. Later on it was put to music and renamed “The

Star Spangled Banner”. (It was adopted our national anthem in 1931)

Francis Scott Key

Fort McHenry (Today)

Ft. McHenry

Star Spangled Banner