Ch. 9 – The Jefferson Era: (1) Section 4: The War of 1812

-The war began, but the War Hawks did not achieve the quick victory they thought they’d get.-Americans made a lot of mistakes.-Reg. army consisted of fewer than 7000 troops.-State armies had many more troops but were poorly trained.-Underestimated British and N. Americans.-Amer. Rev. leaders were too old to lead.

-War began in July 1812 when Gen. Hull was beaten byTecumseh in Canada & surrendered Detroit.-William H. Harrison decided the U.S. couldn’t win in Canadaas long as the British held Lake Erie.-Oliver H. Perry won L. Erie for the U.S. on Sept. 10, 1813. HisNote to W. H. Harrison said, “We have met the enemy & they are ours.”

Ch. 9 – The Jefferson Era: (2) Section 4: The War of 1812

-William H. Harrison cut off the British & N. American troops when theytried to pull back to Detroit.-At The Battle of the Thames (Oct. 5, 1813) Tecumseh was killed.-U.S. also burned the Parliament buildings in York (present-day Toronto)-By the end of 1813 the Americans had won some land and sea battles.

-Americans had three fast frigates (warships). One of these The U.S.S. Constitution defeated two British vessels despite the U.S. having previously reduced the size of the navy to save money. This ship was nicknamed Old Ironsides after men had seen a shot bounce off its hull (fired from the British Java).-American privateers (armed private ships) staged many attacks upon the British, captured many vessels, and more importantly, greatly improved American morale.

Ch. 9 – The Jefferson Era: (3) Section 4: The War of 1812

Setbacks for Native Americans-With Tecumseh’s death, so too died hopes for the Native American Confederacy.-In March 1814, Andrew Jackson (TN) attached the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, won & broke their spirit to continue. JacksonForced them to give up most of their lands to the U.S.

The British Offensive-By the spring of 1814, the British had won their war with Napoleon and could devout more time & interest in the U.S.-In August of 1814 the British sailed into Chesapeake Bay, moved to Washington D.C, and burned many buildings including the Capitol and the president’s mansion. Madison was unharmed & a thunderstorm putout the fires before more damage could occur.-This (August 24, 1814) was a victory for the British & a low point for the Americans.

Ch. 9 – The Jefferson Era: (4) Section 4: The War of 1812

Baltimore Holds Firm-The British surprised everyone by not trying to hold Washington. They instead marched to Baltimore. Baltimore, however, was ready for them.-They attacked in mid-Sept. but were held from entering Baltimore by a fierce bombardment from Fort McHenry in the harbor.- During the night of September 13-14 Francis Scot Key watched the bombs burst of Ft. McHenry & wrote the Star Spangled Banner. In 1931 Congress designated it our national anthem.

Defeat at Pittsburgh -Gen. Sir George Prevost led 10,000 highly trained troops into NY from Canada, but suffered a humiliating defeat in Sept. 1814 at the Battle of Plattsburgh.-After this loss the British leaders determined that war in in North America was too costly & unnecessary. They had already defeated Napoleon in Europe, & this war didn’t seem worth the effort.

Ch. 9 – The Jefferson Era: (5) Section 4: The War of 1812

- In December of 1814 American & British representatives signed a peace treaty in Ghent, Belgium.-Nothing was mentioned about the impressment of American sailors, and before word was received of the treaty, a fierce, final battle occurred at New Orleans.-Andrew Jackson was defending N. Orleans behind earthen fortifications and they achieved a decisive victory at the Battle of New Orleans.-Jackson became a hero which helped him become president in 1828.

American Nationalism-Unhappy Federalists gathered at the Hartford Convention (CT) in December of 1814. They were still talking of seceding from the U.S., & had even written out ideas for new amendments when news of the victory reached them.-They knew they would have seemed unpatriotic to continue. Their party lost respect in the eyes of the public. Most of the public was content & self-confident at the end of the War of 1812.