The invasion of Canada
USS Constitution
Old Ironside, an american war ship with walls so thick cannon balls would bounce off its sides. Had heavier guns and a far more skilled crew than any British vessel.
Admiral Oliver Perry
American Admiral assigned to Lake Eerie. Built a whole new fleet on the lake and succeeded in routing and capturing an entire British fleet.
The Battle of the Thames, 1813
A battle won decisively by General Harrison which whipped out a British and Native Army in Canada. Tecumseh was killed in this battle, so the Native confederation no longer had their leader.
Thomas MacDonough at Plattsburgh, 1814
This man leading a smaller fleat engaged a british fleet transporting 10k British soldiers across lake Champlain near this city. He barely won the battle, preventing the invasion force from crossing Lake Champlain and landing in New York.
The burning of Washington, 1814
A group of 4k British soldiers landed in the Chesapeake Bay and Quickly moved west. The 6k militia assigned to the city’s defense fled so the British were free to move in and do this.
Fort McHenry/Francis Scott Key
The fort outside of Baltimore which heroically repelled a British invasion, preventing the capture of the city. The battle here inspired this man to write the star spangled banner as he watched it from a British Prison ship.
Battle of New Orleans, 1815
The final major battle of the war of 1812 at which forces lead by Andrew Jackson defeated an invading force of 8k British soldiers, killing 2k in just half an hour. The victory was sensationalized and prompted a wave of nationalism and self confidence.
Treaty of Ghent, 1814
The treaty which ended the war of 1812. Practically an armistice as neither England nor the U.S. could enforce any of their demands. A moral victory for the Americans as the nation succeeded in asserting its rights by defeating the British once again.
John Quincy Adams (as Secretary of State)
The son of president John Adams. Lead the group of 5 men sent to Ghent to negotiate their peace.
The Hartford Convention, 1814
A convention attended by delegations from the New England states which drafted a list of grievances and legislation to be sent to Washington. The war was over before the envoy could reach congress so the ship had sailed.
Death of the Federalist Party
Federalist’s gradual descent into irrelevancy after Republicans continued to grow more and more popular. Their flirtations with disunity, the British, and their disrespect for the poor made them increasingly unpopular, leading them to fail 2 subsequent presidential elections.
Rush-Bagot Agreement
An agreement between the British and Americans to limit both nations naval presence on the Great lakes. Put an end to the naval arms race and helped to ensure lasting peace between Canada and the U.S.
Washington Irving
A New York born Author who attained international fame. Most famous for his short stories “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” and “Rip Van Winkle”
James Fenimore Cooper
A New Jersey born author who attained international fame for his works “The Pioneers” and “the last of the mohicans”, both of which described the relations between whites and native groups.
The 2nd Bank of the U.S., 1816
A second national bank revived after a wave of nationalism swept through the nation.
Stephen Decatur
Naval war hero from the war of 1812 who after his return from fighting the barbary states is quoted saying, “Our Country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong!”
Tariff of 1816
A Tariff of 20-25 on imports which was passed by Congress to serve expressly as a protective tariff for America’s sprouting manufacturing industry. British merchants where undercutting American goods.
The American System
Henry Clay’s idea to create a profitable home market for American manufacturing. Made up of three parts, a strong central bank to provide credit, a protective tariff to prevent outside competition, and a new network of roads and canals channing together the north south east and wests while facilitating the flow of raw and manufactured good between the regions.
The Erie Canal, 1825
An engineering marvel constructed in upstate new york connecting the hudson river to lake Eerie.
The Era of Good Feelings
A brief period of prosperity brought about by a renewed sense of nationalism which characterized the first few years of Monroe’s administration. Times were improving and people were just generally happy.
The Cumberland Road, 1811
A highway constructed in 1811 that ran from western Maryland all the way to Illinois. One of the many new roads that facilitated a wave of migration westward.
Oregon Territory
The swath of land in the Pacific North West made up of Oregon, Washington, and British Columbia. Would be shared for 10 years between the U.S.and Britain.
Treaty of 1818 (with Great Britain)
A treaty negotiated by the Monroe Administration which stipulated that the Americans and Canadians would share the Newfoundland fisheries, that the British and U.S. would share the Oregon territory in a joint occupation, and defined the U.S. Canadian border at the 49th parallel.
Jackson's Florida campaign, 1818
Jackson’s invasion of Florida under the pretence of punishing Seminoles and recapturing escaped slaves. Captured St. Marks and Pensacola and deposed the Spanish governor.
Florida Purchase Treaty (Adams-Onis Treaty), 1819
Spain would ceded Florida and waive its claim to oregon in exchange for the U.S. dropping its claim to Texas. Also defined the Spanish American border.
The Monroe Doctrine, 1823
Declared that the era of Colonization was over and that the U.S. would intervene against any future efforts by European Nations to invade or intervene in the American continents. Europeans were not to expand their presence in the Americas.