The War of 1812

Invasion of Canada Canada: important battleground in the War of 1812 because British forces were weakest there. If they acted in a smart way, they couldve squashed British influence among the Indians and received new land for settlers. -Lost because Americans offensive strategy was poorly conceived. -If the Americans had captured Montreal, the center of population and transportation, everything to the west might have died. -Instead, Americans frittered their strength in the three-pronged invasion of 1812. -The trio of invading forces that set out from Detroit, Niagara, and Lake Champlain were all beaten back shortly after they had crossed the Canadian border. Great Lakes -British and Canadians (early in the war) captured the American fort of Michilimackinac, which commanded the upper Great Lakes and the Indian-inhabited area to the south and west. British invasion of New York. -Control of Great Lakes was vital -Oliver Hazard Perry (American naval officer) managed to build a fleet of green-timbered ships on the shores of Lake Erie, manned by even greener seamen. -^ victory and his slogan (We have met the enemy and they are ours.) infused new life into the drooping American cause. Washington D.C. -In August 1814, British troops landed in the Chesapeake Bay area, dispersed 6,000 panicked Americans at Bladensburg, and proceeded to enter Washington D.C and burn most of the buildings there. Fort McHenry -At Baltimore, another British fleet arrived but was beaten back by the privateer defenders of Forth McHenry, where Francis Scott Key wrote The Star Spangled Banner. Battle of New Orleans -Another British army menaced the entire Mississippi Valley and threatened New Orleans. -Andrew Jackson, after defeating the Creek Indians at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend, led a force of 7,000 sailors, regulars, pirates, and Frenchmen who helped them, defeat 8,000 British that had launched a frontal attack in the Battle of New Orleans Treaty of Ghent -Tsar Alexander I of Russia proposed mediation between the clashing Anglo-Saxon cousins in 1812. -Signed on Christmas Eve in 1814, was essentially an armistice. -Both sides simply agreed to stop fighting and to restore conquered territory. -No mention of: the Indian menace, search and seizure, Orders in Council, impressment and confiscations. -Ended as a virtual draw. -Relieved Americans boasted Not one Inch of Territory Ceded or Lost

New England Federalists -Had raised bunch of taxes and built a good navy for a war that was not going to happen anymore. -Opposed the war of 1812 because they were more inclined toward Britain. -They thought if Canada was conquered, it would add more agrarian land and increase Republican supporters. -They probably lent more money to the British than to the federal Treasury. -The Federalist farmers sent huge quantities of supplies to Canada, enabling British armies to invade New York. Hartford Convention -Massachusetts issued a call for a convention. -Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, (full delegation) , New Hampshire and Vermont (partial) -met in secrecy for 3 weeks -many of them demanded financial assistance from Washington to compensate for lost trade and an amendment requiring 2/3 majority for all declarations of embargo. -Death of Federalist Party