War of 1812 Vocabulary

Flashcards about the War of 1812

Constitutional Act of 1791

Divided Quebec into Upper Canada (Ontario) and Lower Canada (Quebec).

Rupert's Land

Land controlled by Britain through the Hudson's Bay Company.

Governor John Graves Simcoe

British aristocrat who believed the upper class should provide government, military, and religious leadership.

Legislative Assembly

Elected by male landowners in Upper Canada but had little power.

Legislative Council

Appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Upper Canada.

Executive Council

Responsible for the day-to-day running of Upper Canada and had veto power over the Legislative Assembly.

Louisiana Purchase

A territory Napoleon sold to the U.S.A. for 15 million dollars, doubling the size of the U.S.

Manifest Destiny

Belief that Americans should settle the entire continent of North America, considered their God-given right.

Tecumseh

Leader who believed Indigenous peoples should work together to fight back against American aggression.

'War Hawks'

Members of Congress who supported western expansion and saw war with Britain as a way to stop interference with trade and support of Indigenous forces.

General Sir Isaac Brock

Commander of British forces in Upper Canada who built a strong alliance with Tecumseh.

Lachine Rapids

A natural barrier preventing ships from moving from the St. Lawrence River to the Great Lakes system.

The Treaty of Ghent

The treaty that ended the War of 1812 with no territory lost or gained by either side.

The Star Spangled Banner

Written by Francis Scott Key after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry and later adopted as the American national anthem.