War of 1812 B-5

impressment

Kidnapping of sailors to work on ships

Tecumseh

A Shawnee chief who tried to unite Native American tribes

James Madison

President during the War of 1812

War Hawks

Southerners and Westerners who were eager for war with Britain. They had a strong sense of nationalism, and they wanted to takeover British land in North America and expand.

embargo

an official ban on trade or other commercial activity with a particular country.

Embargo Act

1807 act which ended all of America's importation and exportation. Jefferson hoped the act would pressure the French and British to recognize U.S. neutrality rights in exchange for U.S. goods. Really, however, just hurt Americans and our economy and got repealed in 1809.

Dolley Madison

wife of president Madison, who rescued documents and George Washington's portrait before it could be burned in White House by British

blockade

an act or means of sealing off a place to prevent goods or people from entering or leaving.

neutrality

A refusal to take part in a war between other nations

freedom of the seas

the right of merchant ships to travel freely in international waters

nationalism

A strong feeling of pride in and devotion to one's country

Francis Scott Key

United States lawyer and poet who wrote the Star Spangled Banner

rampart

a defensive wall

gallantly

bravely