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.
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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!!