Outline Summary of the War of 1812 (1810–1815)

Randy Vice, 

B.S.E., Jacksonville State University

M.A., The University of Alabama

EdS. , Lincoln Memorial University

I. Background and Causes (1810–1812)

1. Tensions with Britain

   • Impressment of American Sailors: British Navy forcibly recruited American sailors into their service.

   • Trade Restrictions: The British Orders in Council (1807) and French Berlin and Milan Decrees (1806) restricted U.S. trade with Europe.

   • Support for Native American Resistance: The British in Canada were accused of supporting Native American tribes resisting U.S. expansion in the West.

2. American Expansionism

   • Desire for Territory: Many Americans, particularly in the West and South, wanted to annex Canada and assert control over more territory.

   • Indian Conflicts: The U.S. was facing resistance from Native American groups, some of which were allegedly supported by British agents.

3. Political Pressures

   • War Hawks: A group of young, aggressive members of Congress, including Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, pushed for war to defend U.S. honor and expand territory.

   • Opposition: New England merchants and Federalists opposed war due to their economic ties with Britain and concerns over the potential disruptions to trade.

4. Failure of Diplomatic Efforts

   • Non-Intercourse Act (1809): Aimed at encouraging Britain and France to respect American neutrality, but it failed to resolve the issues.

   • Macon’s Bill No. 2 (1810): Aimed at reopening trade with Britain and France, but it also failed to prevent hostilities.

5. Declaration of War (1812)

   • President James Madison: With mounting pressure and continued British provocations, Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war, which was passed on June 18, 1812.

II. Key Events and Battles (1812–1814)

1. Initial Failures (1812)

   • Invasion of Canada: American forces attempted to invade Canada in the summer of 1812 but faced failure due to poor strategy, lack of coordination, and strong British and Native American resistance. American forces burned the town of York which was the British Capital in Canada.

   • Naval Battles: The U.S. Navy had some early successes, such as the victories of the USS Constitution over British ships, raising American morale.

   • Battle of Queenston Heights: A failed American attack on Canada, resulting in significant losses, including the death of General Stephen Van Rensselaer.

2. British Blockade and Economic Impact

   • Naval Blockade: Britain imposed a blockade on American ports, severely disrupting American trade and commerce.

   • Economic Hardships: The blockade and wartime conditions caused economic difficulties, especially for merchants in New England.

3. Key Battles (1813)

   • Battle of Lake Erie (1813): Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry's victory secured control of the lake, allowing U.S. forces to reclaim Detroit.

   • Battle of the Thames (1813): American forces under General William Henry Harrison defeated British and Native American forces, killing Tecumseh, a key leader of the Shawnee.

   • Battle of Chateaugay (1813): American victory over British forces near the Canadian border.

4. The British Counterattack (1814)

   • British Invasion of the U.S.: With the end of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe (1814), Britain shifted focus to the U.S. and launched attacks.

   • Burning of Washington (1814): British forces captured and burned Washington, D.C., including the White House and Capitol.

   • Battle of Fort McHenry (1814): British attempted to capture Baltimore but were repelled, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner."

5. The Treaty of Ghent (1814)

   • Negotiations Begin: Peace talks began in Ghent (modern-day Belgium) in August 1814.

   • Terms of the Treaty: The treaty, signed on December 24, 1814, effectively restored the status quo ante bellum, with no territorial changes and a return to pre-war boundaries.

   • Failure to Address Key Issues: Issues like impressment and Native American relations were not directly resolved, but both sides were weary of the conflict.

III. The Final Phase and Conclusion (1815)

1. Battle of New Orleans (January 1815)

   • Post-Treaty Battle: News of the Treaty of Ghent had not yet reached the U.S., and a decisive battle was fought at New Orleans.

   • General Andrew Jackson’s Victory: The U.S. forces decisively defeated the British, marking a major American victory and elevating Jackson to national hero status.

   • Impact: Although the battle occurred after the war ended, it became a symbol of American resilience and pride.

2. Aftermath

   • End of Hostilities: The Treaty of Ghent came into effect in early 1815, officially ending the war.

   • U.S. and British Relations: Relations between the U.S. and Britain gradually improved, with both sides recognizing the need for peace and diplomacy.

3. Political Consequences

   • Decline of the Federalist Party: The Federalists, who had opposed the war, lost influence, especially after the Hartford Convention (1814), which appeared unpatriotic in the aftermath of American victories.

   • Rise of Nationalism: The war fostered a sense of American nationalism and unity, as the U.S. had survived a second war with Britain.

   • Era of Good Feelings: The end of the war marked the beginning of a period of political cooperation and relative peace in the U.S.

IV. Legacy and Impact

1. Economic and Military Growth

   • The war encouraged industrialization and manufacturing, as the U.S. needed to become more self-sufficient due to the British blockade.

   • The U.S. military underwent reforms and improvements, leading to a stronger national defense in the years to come.

2. Native American Displacement

   • The war’s end weakened Native American resistance in the West, leading to further territorial losses for indigenous peoples.

3. Long-Term Diplomatic Effects

   • The War of 1812 solidified U.S. independence from Britain and marked the end of British influence in American affairs.

   • The war also paved the way for future U.S. expansion and the eventual rise as a global power.

NARRATIVE SUMMARY OF THE WAR OF 1812

The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain that lasted from 1812 to 1815. The war had several causes, including British restrictions on American trade, British support for Native American attacks on American settlers, and the desire by some Americans to expand into Canada. American Congressmen who wanted war with Great Britain were called Hawks and those who wanted peace were called Doves.

The war began when the U.S. declared war on Britain in June 1812. President James Madison had been under constant pressure after the British had seized U.S. ships and sailors.  At first, the American military was unprepared, and there were early defeats, especially in battles along the Canadian border. However, the U.S. Navy had some victories, and American forces won key battles, such as the Battle of New Orleans in 1815, which made Andrew Jackson a national hero.

One of the major issues was the British practice of impressment, where they forced American sailors to serve in the British Navy. This angered many Americans and was a big reason for declaring war. Despite the fighting, neither side really gained much ground, and the war ended in a stalemate with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in December 1814. The treaty restored pre-war boundaries and didn't address the issues that caused the war, but both sides were tired of fighting.

The War of 1812 had several long-term effects. It helped build a sense of national pride and identity in the U.S., even though there were no clear winners. It also led to the decline of Native American resistance in the west, as the British, who had been helping them, were no longer as involved. The war also led to the collapse of the Federalist Party, which had opposed the war, and marked the beginning of the "Era of Good Feelings," a period of political unity in the U.S.