War of 1812 Quiz

  1. Introduction to the War of 1812

The War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain and its Native American allies from 1812 to 1815. It is sometimes referred to as the "Second War of Independence" for the United States.

  1. Causes of the War

The primary causes leading to the War of 1812 were multifaceted, stemming from ongoing tensions between the United States and Great Britain after the American Revolution:

  • Impressment of American Sailors: The British Royal Navy, engaged in a long-standing war with Napoleonic France, frequently boarded American ships to seize alleged British deserters, often impressing American citizens into service.

  • Economic Restrictions/Trade Blockades: Both Britain and France attempted to restrict U.S. trade to choke off the other's economy. Britain's Orders in Council (1807) were particularly harmful to American shipping and economy, prohibiting neutral ships from trading with France or its allies without British license.

  • British Support for Native American Resistance: The British in Canada were accused of supplying weapons to Native American tribes in the Northwest Territory (e.g., Tecumseh's Confederacy) and encouraging them to resist American expansion. This led to conflicts like the Battle of Tippecanoe.

  • American Expansionism and "War Hawks": A faction in Congress, known as the "War Hawks" (led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun), advocated for war with Britain. They sought to end Native American resistance, assert American sovereignty, and potentially annex Canada.

  1. Key Events and Battles

Major events and battles of the war included:

  • Invasion of Canada (1812-1813): Early American attempts to invade Canada were largely unsuccessful, demonstrating American military unpreparedness and strong Canadian-British resistance.

  • Naval Battles on the Great Lakes: Control of the Great Lakes was crucial. Oliver Hazard Perry's victory on Lake Erie in 1813 was a significant turning point, securing the Northwest frontier for the U.S.

  • Battle of the Thames (1813): William Henry Harrison's forces defeated a British and Native American force, killing Shawnee chief Tecumseh. This battle largely ended the Native American threat in the Northwest.

  • Burning of Washington D.C. (1814): In retaliation for American actions in Canada (like the burning of York), British forces captured and burned the U.S. Capitol, the President's Mansion, and other public buildings.

  • Battle of Fort McHenry (1814): The successful American defense of Fort McHenry in Baltimore inspired Francis Scott Key to write the poem that became "The Star-Spangled Banner."

  • Battle of New Orleans (1815): Fought after the Treaty of Ghent was signed but before news reached the combatants, Andrew Jackson led a decisive American victory over the British. This battle significantly boosted American morale and national pride.

  1. Treaty of Ghent and Outcome

  • Treaty of Ghent (December 24, 1814): Signed in Ghent, Belgium, the treaty effectively ended the war based on the principle of status quo ante bellum, meaning all conquered territories were returned, and pre-war borders were restored. It did not address the issues of impressment or trade restrictions, as these had largely resolved themselves with the end of the Napoleonic Wars.

  • Rush-Bagot Treaty (1817): An agreement between the U.S. and Great Britain that demilitarized the Great Lakes and Lake Champlain, limiting naval armaments on these shared waters. It marked an important step towards peaceful relations and the longest unfortified border in the world.

  • Major Outcomes:

    • Heightened American Nationalism: The war fostered a strong sense of national identity and unity in the United States.

    • Decline of Native American Resistance: With the death of Tecumseh and the withdrawal of British support, Native American resistance to American expansion significantly weakened.

    • Industrial Growth: The British blockade forced the U.S. to develop its own manufacturing capabilities.

    • End of the Federalist Party: The Federalist Party, which opposed the war, suffered a major decline in influence after the victory and the peace, leading to an "Era of Good Feelings" with dominant Democratic-Republican rule.

      • Hartford Convention (1814-1815): A meeting of New England Federalists that expressed grievances against the war and proposed constitutional amendments. Its timing, just as the war ended successfully for the U.S., made the party appear unpatriotic and contributed to its decline.

    • U.S. International Standing: The war demonstrated the United States' ability to defend its rights, earning greater respect from European powers.