War of 1812 Quiz

Embargo Act (1807)

A law that stopped all U.S. trade with foreign countries to pressure Britain and France, which hurt the American economy.

Oliver Hazard Perry

U.S. naval commander who won the Battle of Lake Erie and helped give the U.S. control of the Great Lakes.

Thomas Jefferson

President who tried to keep the U.S. neutral in European wars and signed the Embargo Act.

James Madison

President during the War of 1812 who asked Congress to declare war on Britain.

Francis Scott Key

Wrote the poem that became the Star-Spangled Banner after witnessing the attack on Fort McHenry.

Star-Spangled Banner

The U.S. national anthem, written after the American flag was seen still flying over Fort McHenry.

War Hawks

Members of Congress who pushed for war with Britain to defend national honor and expand U.S. territory.

Treaty of Ghent (1814)

Treaty that ended the War of 1812 and returned everything to prewar conditions.

Continental System

Napoleon’s plan to block European trade with Britain to weaken its economy.

Tecumseh

Shawnee leader who formed a Native American confederacy to resist U.S. expansion.

Impressment

British practice of capturing American sailors and forcing them to serve in the British navy.

Chesapeake Incident

A 1807 attack where a British ship fired on the USS Chesapeake and took American sailors.

Andrew Jackson

U.S. general who won the Battle of New Orleans and became a national hero.

Federalists

Political party that opposed the War of 1812 and was strongest in New England.

Hartford Convention

A meeting of Federalists who criticized the war and proposed constitutional changes.

Rush-Bagot Treaty

Agreement between the U.S. and Britain that limited warships on the Great Lakes.