United States vs. Great Britain The Forgotten War Second War for Independence Embargo prohibits trade with another country James Madison republican from Virginia, became president in 1809 Dolley Madison wife of James Madison, saved items from the White House before being burned by the British Francis Scott Key authored the Star Spangled Banner Causes of the WarThe War HawksStar Spangled Banner Battle of New OrleansTreaty of GhentImpact of the War In 1812, the United States took on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, in a conflict that would have an immense impact on Americas future. The war officially ended in December of 1814, but fighting lasted until early 1815. After 30 years of independence, the United States found themselves drawn into a second war with Great Britain. How did this happen????? British ships were stopping American ships and impressing (seizing) U.S. sailors and supplies, claiming that many were deserters from the British Navy. One such event was the Chesapeake Affair in Britain was desperate for sailors for their naval war with France Causes of the War While some of the sailors taken by the British were deserters, hundreds were native-born and naturalized American citizens The British in Canada were also supplying weapons to Native Americans in the Ohio River valley, encouraging them to attack American settlers and soldiers. President Jefferson decided against war, but wanted to use trade as a weapon to avoid bloodshed. Jefferson and Congress passed the Embargo Act of American ships were not allowed to sail or trade in foreign ports. 2. It also closed American ports to the British ships Jeffersons policy was a disaster. It was more harmful to the U.S. than to the British or French. One New Englander said the embargo act was like cutting ones throat to cure a nosebleed. The cartoon depicts a smuggler being bitten by an American snapping turtle called "Ograbme." The name is a play on the word embargo (backwards). In the distance, is a British ship (flying the Union Jack), presumably waiting to smuggle American goods back to Britain. James Madison becomes President in 1809 with the support of a group of young Congressmen from the south and west (Henry Clay, John C. Calhoun) known as the War Hawks. The War Hawks wanted the British to stop all seizing of U.S. ships and to stop aiding the Native Americans. They also had ideas of conquering Canada and creating a vast new American empire. Urged by the War Hawks, Congress declared war on Great Britain on June 18, By this time, the British had already decided to end their policy of search and seizure of American ships. Unfortunately, news of this change in policy didnt reach Washington in time. War had already been declared. From Britain paid little attention to the war and try to focus and their war with France Battle of Lake Erie (1813) U.S. naval commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British force at the Battle of Lake Erie United States forces tried to capture Lower Canada ( ) but failed due to inexperience. In April 1814, the British had defeated Napoleons armies and was able to turn its full attention to the war effort in North America. As large numbers of troops arrived, British forces raided the Chesapeake Bay and moved in on the U.S. capital, capturing Washington, D.C., on August 24, 1814, and burning government buildings including the Capitol and the White House. As the British burn the city and march towards the White House, Dolley Madison saves many important national artifacts minutes before the British arrive and destroy the White House The Storm That Saved Washington D.C. The day of the invasion had been hot, 100 degrees. With much of the city burning the next day, British soldiers kept moving through, lighting more fires. They didn't notice the darkening skies, the thunder and lightning. City residents knew a bad storm was on its way and quickly took shelter. The clouds began to swirl and the winds kicked up. A tornado formed in the center of the city and headed straight for the British on Capitol Hill. The twister ripped buildings from their foundations and trees up by the roots. British cannons were tossed around by the winds. Several British troops were killed by falling structures and flying debris. The rain continued for two hours, dousing the flames. The British were spooked by the massive storm and decided it was time to leave. As the British troops were preparing to leave, a conversation was noted between a British Admiral and a Washington lady regarding the storm: The admiral exclaimed, Great God, Madam! Is this the kind of storm to which you are accustomed in this infernal country? The lady answered, No, Sir, this is a special interposition of Providence to drive our enemies from our city. The admiral replied, Not so Madam. It is rather to aid your enemies in the destruction of your city. At the Battle of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, Francis Scott Key watched the all night British bombardment. At dawn he noticed the US flag was still there!!! Key expressed his pride in a poem that officially became the US National Anthem in 1931 Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave? In January 1815, the British attacked New Orleans. An outnumbered U.S. General Andrew Jackson defeated the British. U.S. troops hid behind cotton bales and the advancing British troops were easy targets out in the open. Hundreds of British soldiers were killed and Andrew Jackson became a national hero. However, the battle was unnecessary. Due to slow communications, the war had ended with the Treaty of Ghent in December The Treaty left things as they were before the war, no new land was acquired by either side & the British promised they would no longer search American ships. The Battle of New Orleans 1.Helped American gain its economic independence. Because the import of British goods decreased, Americans became more active in developing their own manufacturing. It also spurred the building of more roads and canals to move people and goods faster and easier. 2.Created unity and pride in the U.S. 3.U.S. and Great Britain entered a period of peace and friendship that still exists today.