United States vs. Great Britain

After 30 years of independence, the United States found themselves drawn into a second war with Great Britain. How did this happen????? British ships were stopping American ships and impressing (seizing) U.S. sailors and supplies, claiming that many were deserters from the British Navy. One such event was the Chesapeake Affair in The British in Canada were also supplying weapons to Native Americans in the Ohio River valley, encouraging them to attack American settlers. Causes for WAR

James Madison becomes President in 1809 with the support of a group of young Congressmen from the south and west (Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun) known as the War Hawks. The War Hawks wanted the British to stop all seizing of U.S. ships and to stop aiding the Native Americans. They also had ideas of conquering Canada and creating a vast new American empire. Urged by the War Hawks, Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 18, 1812.

From Britain paid little attention to the war and try to focus and their war with France Battle of Lake Erie (1813) U.S. naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British force at the Battle of Lake Erie United States forces tried to capture Lower Canada ( ) but failed due to inexperience. "We have met the enemy and they are ours."

In 1814, the British invaded the United States. August 1814, British troops captured Washington D.C. burning down the White House and many Federal buildings.

As the British burn the city and march towards the White House, Dolly Madison saves many important national artifacts minutes before the British arrive and destroy the White House

At the Battle of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Francis Scott Key watched the all night British bombardment. At dawn he noticed the US flag was still there!!! Key expressed his pride in a poem that later became the US National Anthem

Battle of New Orleans In January 1815, the British attacked New Orleans. An outnumbered U.S. General Andrew Jackson defeated the British invasion. However the battle was unnecessary, due to slow communications the war had ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December The Treaty left things as they were before the war, no new land was acquired by either side.

1.Proved Americans could protect their independence. 2.Created unity and pride in the U.S. 3.U.S. forced to make their own products 4.U.S. and Great Britain entered a period of peace and friendship that still exists today.