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Timeline of the War of 1812

May 8, 2025

War of 1812 Timeline

Pre-War Events

  • 1793: France declares war on Great Britain (Feb 1).
  • 1794: General Anthony Wayne defeats Native American confederation at the Battle of Fallen Timbers (Aug 20).
  • 1804: Louisiana Purchase finalized on April 30. Napoleon crowned Emperor of France on December 4.
  • 1806: Non-Importation Act passed on April 18. Berlin Decrees issued by Napoleon on November 21.
  • 1807: HMS Leopard fires on USS Chesapeake on June 22. Great Britain passes 1807 Orders in Council on November 11. Embargo Act passed on December 22.
  • 1809: James Madison inaugurated as 4th President of the U.S. on March 4.

Lead-Up to War

  • 1811: USS President fires on HMS Little Belt (May 16). Major General Isaac Brock appointed Administrator of Upper Canada (October 9). Battle of Tippecanoe on November 11.

The War of 1812

  • 1812

    • United States declares war on Great Britain (June 18).
    • Various skirmishes and battles: Fort Michilimackinac surrenders to British-Canadian forces (July 17). Battle of Queenston Heights resulting in British-Canadian victory (October 13).
  • 1813

    • Great Britain declares war on the U.S. (Jan 9).
    • American forces seize Frenchtown, Michigan (Jan 18).
    • Battle of River Raisin resulting in River Raisin Massacre (Jan 22).
    • Battle of Lake Erie resulting in U.S. victory (Sept 10).
    • Battle of the Thames; Tecumseh killed (Oct 5).
  • 1814

    • Napoleon abdicates and is exiled, British focus on American war (April 4).
    • Treaty of Greenville (July 22).
    • Burning of Washington D.C. by British forces (Aug 24).
    • Battle of Bladensburg, British victory (Aug 24).
    • Peace negotiations begin (Aug 8) and Treaty of Fort Jackson (Aug 9).
  • 1815

    • Battle of New Orleans, U.S. victory (Jan 8).
    • Treaty of Ghent ratified by U.S. Senate (Feb 16), declared end of War of 1812 (Feb 18).

Key Battles & Events

  • Queenston Heights (1812): British victory with estimated 1,233 casualties.
  • Lake Erie (1813): U.S. victory with 563 casualties.
  • Lundy's Lane (1814): Inconclusive result with 1,731 casualties.
  • Bladensburg (1814): British victory with 450 casualties.
  • New Orleans (1815): U.S. victory with 2,096 casualties.

Conclusion

  • Treaty of Ghent effectively ends the War of 1812, restoring relations.
  • The war solidified U.S. independence and encouraged national identity development.