Name and Period:
Video Quiz (30 points)
American History
Age of Jefferson (Ch. 10 Section 5)
1st Invasion: War of 1812
Directions: Please answer the following questions while viewing the video. Questions about the video are in
order from start to finish.
1) Explain why the War of 1812 is significant in American history. The War of 1812 was the 1 st big war since the revolution, which was fought to establish the direction and identity of the U.S. It is named after one year, although it was fought over a three­year period from 1812 until 1814. It is also known as the 2 nd war for independence. 2) Identify and explain the main issue that ignited the war. The War of 1812 war intertwined by one threat – shipping. American foreign commerce (trade) is being disrupted by Great Britain and we are frustrated b/c foreign commerce (trade) is a huge building block for our economy. Great Britain continuously violates America’s neutrality rights by interfering, which essentially ignites the war. 3) Name and explain the 1807 act that backfired. Why did this act backfire? Congress passed the Embargo Act, which forbade foreign commerce (trade). The Act backfired b/c it hurt U.S. ports more than it hurt British trade. 4) Who was the 1st President to ask congress to declare War? Explain the President‛s reason(s) for declaring
war on Great Britain. James Madison asked Congress to declare war b/c Great Britain was interfering with American trade on the seas (e.g. – impressment: stopping U.S. ships and capturing their goods and crew members) and they were inciting Native American attacks in the west. 5) Why did America fear this war? America feared that they would lose their independence to Great Britain. We were totally unprepared for the war b/c we had inept leaders (the leaders of the revolution were to old to command), ragtag soldiers, no real navy, etc. 6) Identify the British stronghold in North America that became the 1st target of the United States. The U.S. felt Canada would be easy pickings. 7) Name and explain the single largest military disaster of the war. At Detroit we had 2000 soldiers surrender without a single shot being fired. 8) Identify and describe the 1st American victory of the war. The U.S.S. Constitution defeated the Garriarre off the New England coast. The U.S.S. Constitution was given the nickname “Old Iron Sides” b/c the cannon balls from the Garriarre bounced of the solid oak timbers. 9) What was the most dramatic battle of the war? The attack on York (a.k.a. – Toronto) on April 27, 1813 was very dramatic b/c the Americans set fire to British Parliament buildings.
10) Explain why August 24, 1814 is seen as one of the worst days in American history. Early in the morning General Robert Ross led his British troops to Bladensburg, Maryland where the most embarrassing American defeat of the war occurred. Later that day British troops marched to Washington D.C. where the set fire to several government building including the Capitol, White House, etc. The only government building that was spared by the British was the Post Office. Fortunately for the Americans a violent storm, part hurricane and part tornado, occurred putting out the fires and killing many British soldiers. 11) Name the key defense center for the city of Baltimore. Fort McHenry is Baltimore's key defense center and it is located on a small peninsula that juts out into the Chesapeake Bay. 12) How long did the bombardment of Fort McHenry last? The bombardment lasted approximately 25 hours. 13) Who is the most famous individual to arise from the bombardment of Fort McHenry? Why? Francis Scott Key wrote the Star Spangled Banner. The Star Spangled Banner was originally called the “Defense of Fort McHenry.” In 1931 Congress officially made the Star Spangled Banner our National Anthem. 14) Where is the final target on Great Britain‛s hit list? What is unique about this battle? Who is the
American hero from this battle? New Orleans was the final and most important battle. It was unique b/c it occurred after the Treaty of Ghent was signed in Ghent, Belgium in 1814. Andrew Jackson (a.k.a. – Old Hickory) was the commander of the 7 th military district and he was the only individual who could save New Orleans from the British. Jackson leads the most diverse group of troops ever to defend the city of New Orleans. The regiment of 4000 is made up of untrained regulars, frontier men, volunteers, French­speaking Creoles, pirates, and Indians. 15) Identify and explain the treaty that ended the war. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on Christmas Eve in 1814 in Ghent, Belgium. The reason the Battle of New Orleans occurred after the treaty was signed is b/c it took about four to six weeks to get work back to New Orleans. The treaty did not solve impressment, which is what America’s biggest concern was. Realistically all the treaty did was restore territorial boundaries and maritime rights to what they were before the war. 16) What is War of 1812 often called? Why? The forgotten war b/c no one really thinks about it when they think of major wars; people usually remember WWI, WWII, the Civil War, the Revolutionary War, etc. 17) Why was this war so important in American History? This war is significant b/c America proved they were here to stay. America defied the odds yet again and beat the British. America gained a new direction and identity through winning this war against the British.