Study Guide for the War of 1812

Guided Reading Activity - War of 1812 Notes

General Information

  • Name: [Student's Name]

  • Date: [Date]

  • Class: [Class Name]

Section 9-4: The War of 1812

Key Questions

  1. Troop Strength at War's Start: Fewer than 7,000 troops were in the regular army.

  2. Underestimated Factor: Americans underestimated the strength of the British and their Native American allies.

  3. War Start Date: The War of 1812 began in June 1812 when the United States declared war on Britain.

  4. Naval Forces Leader: Oliver Hazard Perry led American naval forces to victory in the Battle for Lake Erie.

  5. Tecumseh's Death: Tecumseh was killed in the Battle of the Thames.

Major Events

  • American Frigate Victories: The American frigate Constitution destroyed the British warships Guerrière (August 1812) and Java (December 1812).

  • Leadership in Violent Attacks: Andrew Jackson led a bloody attack against the Creeks in March 1814 during the Battle of Horseshoe Bend.

  • Burning of Washington, D.C.: The British burned Washington, D.C. in August 1814.

  • Famous Poem: Francis Scott Key wrote “The Star-Spangled Banner” after witnessing the bombardment of Fort McHenry.

  • Battle of Plattsburgh Outcome: The Battle of Plattsburgh resulted in a decisive American victory.

  • Reason for Ending War: British leaders decided to end the war as it became costly and unnecessary following Napoleon's defeat in Europe.

  • Treaty Ending the War: The war ended with the Treaty of Ghent.

  • Treaty Signing Date: The treaty was signed in December 1814 in Ghent, Belgium.

  • Decisive American Victory: American forces achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

Overview of The War of 1812

Main Idea

  • The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Britain, with battles occurring in the U.S., Canada, and at sea.

Key Terms

  • Frigate: A type of warship with a double mast designed for speed and maneuverability, used extensively by the U.S. Navy at the time.

  • Privateer: A privately owned ship authorized to engage in warfare, particularly to capture enemy merchant vessels.

Timeline of Events

  • 1812

    • June 1812: U.S. declares war on Britain.

  • 1813

    • September 1813: Perry defeats the British navy on Lake Erie.

  • 1814

    • August 1814: British burn Washington, D.C.

  • 1815

    • January 1815: American forces win the Battle of New Orleans.

Political and Social Developments

  • War Hawks: Congressional War Hawks were eager for war, despite Americans being unprepared and exhibiting a series of blunders.

  • Military Readiness: Less than 7,000 regular troops were available, supplemented by poorly trained militia numbering between 50,000 and 100,000.

  • Leadership Issues: Military commanders from the American Revolution were too old for effective leadership, while there was a lack of cohesive guidance from the government.

  • Impact of Tecumseh's Death: Tecumseh's death marked the end of hopes for a coherent Native American confederation against American expansion.

Battles and Strategy

  • Initial Battles: The War began with General William Hull leading an unsuccessful attempt to capture Canada, resulting in the surrender of Detroit.

  • Battle of Thames: Tecumseh's death in this battle was significant, debilitating the Native American resistance.

  • Naval Engagements: Oliver Hazard Perry's victory secured American control over Lake Erie, which was essential for logistics.

  • Attack on Washington: The British invasion was swift, resulting in the burning of significant government buildings.

Cultural Impact

  • Francis Scott Key: His experience during the bombardment of Fort McHenry led to the writing of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” which later became the national anthem of the United States.

  • Andrew Jackson's Rise: The victory at New Orleans catapulted Andrew Jackson to national fame and set the stage for his future presidency.

End of War and Implications

  • Treaty of Ghent: Signed without addressing significant issues like impressment, it restored pre-war boundaries and established peace.

  • Nationalism Growth: The war fostered a new sense of American nationalism and pride, diminishing the Federalist Party’s standing.

Section 4 Assessment - Checking for Understanding

Key Terms Application

  • Frigate and Privateer Usage: A short paragraph discussing the roles and significance of frigates in naval battles, and how privateers were utilized to disrupt British shipping.

Review of Events

  1. Battle of Lake Champlain Winner: The Americans won, which was crucial because it prevented British plans to invade and threatened their supply routes.

  2. Federalist Party Decline Reasons: The Federalists’ opposition to the war and their perceived unpatriotic behavior post-war led to loss of public support, culminating in the decline of the party.

Interdisciplinary Activity

  • Rewrite of the Anthem: Task involves reimagining a verse of “The Star-Spangled Banner,” to reflect sentiments from the Battle of New Orleans.