Study Guide: War of 1812 Vocabulary Impressment – the act of kidnapping and forcing sailors to serve on Royal Navy ships against their will.
Key People James Madison – President of the US during the War of 1812 Napoleon Bonaparte – Emperor of France. He was also fighting against Great Britain during the time of the War of 1812. Henry Clay – a “War Hawk” Congressman from Kentucky. John C. Calhoun – a “War Hawk” Congressman from South Carolina. Andrew Jackson – a “War Hawk” Congressman from Tennessee. Oliver Hazard Perry – US Naval officer who commanded the US fleet during the Battle of Lake Erie. Francis Scott Key – US envoy who witnessed the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. This inspired him to write a poem which became the Star Spangled Banner (our national anthem)
Key Events / Important Battles August 1812: Tecumseh and General Brock capture Fort Detroit without firing a shot. August 1812: The USS Constitution defeats HMS Guerrier near Massachusetts. The USS Constitution received the nickname “Old Ironsides” because British cannonballs did little damage. October 1813: Battle of the Thames. William Henry Harrison defeats British in Canada. British abandon Northwest Territory. Tecumseh killed. December 1814: Both sides tire of fighting and wanted the war to end. The Treaty of Ghent (Belgium) ends the War of 1812. February 1815: Since communication was slow in the 19th century, news of the peace treaty did not reach North America in time to stop the Battle of New Orleans. Andrew Jackson’s victory over the British actually happened after the war was over!! Extended Response: The Battle of Tippecanoe resulted in two things that pushed the United States and Britain towards war. Explain. - British guns were found with Native Americans. This proved that Britain was helping the Native Americans (Great Confederacy) fight the Americans. - When Prophet was defeated by William Henry Harrison, Tecumseh’s Great Confederacy ended. This allowed more American settlers to move into the Northwest Territory. Britain did not like this as the new settlers competed with British fur traders.
The regions of the United Sates were divided in their opinions / support for a war with Great Britain. Name the two regions that were in favor of a war with Great Britain. Explain why they were in favor. Name the region that opposed war with Great Britain. Explain the reason why it did not want a war. - The South was eager to fight Great Britain. Southerners like John C. Calhoun were convinced that victory over Britain would gain more land for the U.S. - The West was also eager to fight Great Britain. Westerners like Henry Clay and Andrew Jackson were convinced that victory over Britain would allow the U.S. to expand even further westward. - The Northeast (New England) was opposed to war with Great Britain. The economy of the Northeast depended on shipbuilding and trade. A war with England would result in less trade with Europe. The New England merchants did not want to ruin their business.
Practice writing an answer to each of the two questions. Good Luck!!