Overview
This lecture covers the key causes, events, and impacts of the War of 1812, focusing on main ideas, significant battles, and political context.
Causes of the War of 1812
- Trade restrictions by Great Britain limited U.S. merchant ships from trading with Europe.
- British impressment involved taking American sailors and forcing them into the British Navy.
- Native American resistance, especially led by Tecumseh, was supported by British arms.
- Manifest Destiny and American expansionism contributed, with some arguing the U.S. wanted to annex Canada.
- Internal politics: Democratic-Republicans supported war while Federalists opposed it, contributing to a close Congressional vote.
- Poor transatlantic communication delayed news that Britain had repealed trade restrictions, leading to war being declared anyway.
Major Events and Theaters of War
- Initial American invasions of Canada failed; local Canadians did not support U.S. forces.
- U.S. achieved limited success on Lake Erie and won the Battle of the Thames, where Tecumseh was killed.
- British launched coastal attacks, including burning Washington D.C. on August 24, 1814.
- A hurricane forced British troops from Washington; soon after, the British bombed Fort McHenry in Baltimore, inspiring the Star-Spangled Banner.
Resolution and Outcomes
- The end of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe resulted in Britain no longer needing to impress sailors or restrict U.S. trade.
- The Treaty of Ghent (December 1814) ended the war in a tie before news of the treaty reached America.
- The Battle of New Orleans was fought after the treaty, resulting in a major U.S. victory under Andrew Jackson.
- The war increased American nationalism and contributed to the rise of Andrew Jackson as a national figure.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Impressment — Forcing individuals (specifically American sailors) into military service for the British Navy.
- Manifest Destiny — The belief that the United States was destined to expand across the continent.
- Democratic-Republican Party — Early U.S. political party favoring the war, led by James Madison.
- Federalist Party — Early U.S. political party, opposed to the war and supportive of Britain.
- Treaty of Ghent — Agreement that ended the War of 1812 and restored pre-war boundaries.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review the main causes of the War of 1812 for potential test questions.
- Remember key battles: Lake Erie, Thames, Washington D.C., Fort McHenry, and New Orleans.
- Study the role of American politics and Native American resistance in the war.