Madison and the War of 1812 James Madison

Madison and the War of 1812

James Madison swears in as president in 1809 as war between Britain and France is at it’s peak He makes a trade agreement with the French that enrages the British

Retaliation The British attacked American ships and impressed men into service (as many as 10, 000 between the Revolution and War of 1812) The British supported Native American tribes in the west in their fight against the Americans, particularly Tecumseh

Declaration of War Madison asks Congress for a declaration of war June 1 st 1812 and he gets it within 2 weeks

Partisan The South and West support the war but the New England states do not Many wealthy business men in New England actually give support to the Redcoats

Invasion of Canada The Americans attempt to invade Canada Their forces are too thinly spread out and their commanders are unskilled They lose the battle over Montreal

Napoleon is defeated in 1814 allowing England to use all of it’s soldiers in the war with America

Naval Battles 1814 Lake Erie: poorly equipped American ships led by commander Oliver Perry defeat the British fleet protecting Michigan Lake Champlain: British Navy is defeated by Thomas Macdonough saving New York from invasion American Navy gets two significant naval victories in 1814

Washington Burned In August 1814 4 thousand British troops land in the Chesapeake, they attack Washington D. C. and burn it to the ground

Baltimore Troops at Fort Mc. Henry were able to prevent redcoats from taking Baltimore Francis Scott Key witnessed this battle and wrote the star spangled banner September 14 th 1814 (175 years before Mr. Clark was born and 172 years before his older brother John was born)

Treaty of Ghent 12/24/1814 The Treaty of Ghent (signed before the battle of New Orleans) ended the fighting No territory changed hands America was not compensated for its losses

New Orleans (January 1815) Andrew Jackson leads a force of about 4000 against 8, 000 British regulars and wins The Americans entrenched themselves around the city and the redcoats attacked them causing heavy casualties

One Nation America emerges from the War of 1812 far more united and respected by other nations

Synthesis Please wait patiently for Mr. Clark to pass out paper and set up the document reader