The War of 1812

Invasion of Canada-American troops were disorganized and sought a way to attack weakness of British in Canada; as a result of failure to secure Montreal, fighting continued and the Americans were pushed back in 1813 by strong Canadian and British forces; prompted U.S. to look for weaknesses elsewhere in water with the Great Lakes. Great Lakes-American ships were superior to those of the British with better skilled men and motivated men, notably the ship called the Constitution; Oliver Hazard Perry captured Lake Eerie with American seamen which helped invigorate Americans into thinking that they had a chance at this war. Forced British withdrawal from Detroit and Fort Malden. (eventually defeated at Battle of Thames by General Harrison. British invasion of New York-1814 tried to invade NY by bringing over supplies from across the Champlain waterway; faced with weaker American opponent of Thomas Macdonough, fought in Plattisburgh but after signs of defeat, rebounded and forced British to retreat; affected negotiations of Treaty of Ghent. Washington D.C.-4000 British ladned in Chesapeake and tried to invade the capital; burned Washington DC; Americans held their ground and did not give up at Fort McHenry; during this time was when the Star Spangled Banner was written. Fort McHenry- British bombarded McHenry with fire and cannons, but the Americans refused to budge; Star Spangled Banner was written at this time (part of Battle of New Orleans) Battle of New Orleans British targeted New Orleans with a overly confident attitude against the 7000 men of Andrew Jackson; made mistake of using a frontal assault and received their biggest loss during the war of 2000 killed and wounded. Huge American Victory.

Treaty of Ghent- signed in Ghent, Belgium, ended war of 1812 in 1814; agreed to cease fighting and return conquered land; virtual draw, made no mention of any of the British search and seizures and other mistreatments to Americans. Returned borders to past size. New England Federalists-wanted New England to secede from Union or to find another treaty of peace with Britain alone; unhappy with the Hartford Convention; wanted to ensure the New England supremacy to the North and South agrarian states; their actions in this time would make it the last time their ideas rang or hold a successful pres. Campaign. Hartford Convention-1814; capture of New Orleans was foreseen so Mas had a convention in Connecticut including Connecticut, Rhode Island, and Massachusetts; talked about problems and possible solutions; wanted monetary support from president for their states and get rid of 3/5 Compromise and to limit pres. Terms to one term and to ensure that presidents cannot be reelected or originate from the same state as their predecessors.