Key Events & Causes: War of 1812

Event Date Location Significance

Napolean excludes British goods from "fortress Europe" 1806 Europe American ships caught in middle as British respond with blockade. British seize 1000 U.S. ships, French ca. 500
British impress American sailors 1803-1812 High seas British captains take over 10,000 American citizens to man ships
Chesapeake -Leopard fight June 1807 3 miles off Norfolk, Virginia Chesapeake fired on by Leopard after refusing to be boarded. 3 Americans killed, 18 wounded
Embargo Act December 1807 Washington, D.C. Jefferson's attempt at "peaceful coercion" results in economic disaster for merchants
War Hawks elected to Congress 1810 U.S. Calhoun, Clay, others bothered by insults to U.S. and Indian presence
Battle of Tippecanoe 1811 Ohio River Valley Tecumseh's brother (the Prophet) led attack on Harrison's army of 1000
Congress declares "Mr. Madison's War" June 18, 1812 Washington, D.C. Pushed by War Hawks, Madison asks for declaration. All Federalists oppose it.
Invasion attempts of Canada 1812 U.S.--Canadian border 3 attempts to invade all fail
Constitution vs. Guerri�re 1812 Atlantic Ocean Victory by U.S. ship ("Old Ironsides"). Other privateers captured or burned British ships
Battle of York (Toronto) April 1813 Toronto, Canada U.S. troops take control of Great Lakes, burn York
Battle of Lake Erie September 1813 Put-in-Bay Capt. Perry repulses British naval attack
Battle of Thames October 1813 Ontario, Canada Tecumseh killed in U.S. victory. NW Indians weakened by battle.
Battle of Horseshoe Bend March 1814 Mississippi Territory Andrew Jackson defeated Creek Indians
British plan 3-part invasion of U.S.: Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain, & mouth of Mississippi River 1814 Washington, D.C. British burn capital buildings, but are turned back at Baltimore harbor
Battle of Plattsburgh September 1814 Lake Champlain U.S. secured northern border with victory over larger British force
Hartford Convention December 15,1814 Hartford, Connecticut Group of Federalists discuss secession, propose 7 amendments to protect influence of Northeast states
Treaty of Ghent December 24, 1814 Ghent, Belgium British and American diplomats agree on status quo ante bellum
Battle of New Orleans January 1815 New Orleans Jackson's forces defeat British. 700 British killed, 1400 wounded. U.S. losses: 8 killed, 13 wounded

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Event	Date	Location	Significance
Napolean excludes British goods from "fortress Europe"	1806	Europe	American ships caught in middle as British respond with blockade. British seize 1000 U.S. ships, French ca. 500
British impress American sailors	1803-1812	High seas	British captains take over 10,000 American citizens to man ships
Chesapeake -Leopard fight	June 1807	3 miles off Norfolk, Virginia	Chesapeake fired on by Leopard after refusing to be boarded. 3 Americans killed, 18 wounded
Embargo Act	December 1807	Washington, D.C.	Jefferson's attempt at "peaceful coercion" results in economic disaster for merchants
War Hawks elected to Congress	1810	U.S.	Calhoun, Clay, others bothered by insults to U.S. and Indian presence
Battle of Tippecanoe	1811	Ohio River Valley	Tecumseh's brother (the Prophet) led attack on Harrison's army of 1000
Congress declares "Mr. Madison's War"	June 18, 1812	Washington, D.C.	Pushed by War Hawks, Madison asks for declaration. All Federalists oppose it.
Invasion attempts of Canada	1812	U.S.--Canadian border	3 attempts to invade all fail
Constitution vs. Guerri�re	1812	Atlantic Ocean	Victory by U.S. ship ("Old Ironsides"). Other privateers captured or burned British ships
Battle of York (Toronto)	April 1813	Toronto, Canada	U.S. troops take control of Great Lakes, burn York
Battle of Lake Erie	September 1813	Put-in-Bay	Capt. Perry repulses British naval attack
Battle of Thames	October 1813	Ontario, Canada	Tecumseh killed in U.S. victory. NW Indians weakened by battle.
Battle of Horseshoe Bend	March 1814	Mississippi Territory	Andrew Jackson defeated Creek Indians
British plan 3-part invasion of U.S.: Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain, & mouth of Mississippi River	1814	Washington, D.C.	British burn capital buildings, but are turned back at Baltimore harbor
Battle of Plattsburgh	September 1814	Lake Champlain	U.S. secured northern border with victory over larger British force
Hartford Convention	December 15,1814	Hartford, Connecticut	Group of Federalists discuss secession, propose 7 amendments to protect influence of Northeast states
Treaty of Ghent	December 24, 1814	Ghent, Belgium	British and American diplomats agree on status quo ante bellum
Battle of New Orleans	January 1815	New Orleans	Jackson's forces defeat British. 700 British killed, 1400 wounded. U.S. losses: 8 killed, 13 wounded