War of 1812

• Causes:

  • British impressment of American sailors

  • British support of Native American tribes against American expansion

  • American desire to annex Canada

• Key Events:

  • Battle of Lake Erie (1813): American victory secured control of the Great Lakes

  • Burning of Washington D.C. (1814): British troops burned the White House and Capitol

  • Battle of New Orleans (1815): Andrew Jackson led a decisive American victory

• Treaty of Ghent:

  • Signed in December 1814, ended the war

  • Returned all territory to pre-war boundaries

  • Did not address impressment or other causes of the war

• Impacts:

  • Boosted American nationalism and unity

  • Weakened Native American resistance in the Northwest

  • Led to the demise of the Federalist Party

• Legacy:

  • Resolved many issues between the U.S. and Britain

  • Solidified the U.S. as an independent nation

  • Set the stage for improved relations between the two countries