IV. The War of 1812

A. The Move Toward War 1. Tension remained high when James Madison became President in Britain continued arming Native Americans in the Northwest, and the policy of impressment 3. War Hawks believed the only answer to Britain’s insults was war, while New England Federalists who depended on trade with Britain and opposed war. 4. Congress declared war on June 1, 1812.

B. Early Days of the War 1. The larger British navy was able to blockade seaports and control the seas. 2. The British and Indians joined forces and controlled the Northwest. 3. In 1813, U.S. Captain Oliver Perry was able to defeat the British in the Battle of Lake Erie and help the U.S. gain control of the Great Lakes region. 4. In the South in 1814, Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Indians and gained millions of acres of their land.

C. Ending the War 1. The British attack and burn Washington, D.C. in New England Federalists protested the war and threatened to leave the union at the Hartford Convention. 3. The Treaty of Ghent ended the war on December 24, no land was gained, and embargoes and impressment continued. 4. Andrew Jackson’s forces devastated the British in the Battle of New Orleans, January 8, 1815.