The War of 1812

A Quick Review

Causes

Trade Barriers:- Britain and France already fighting- USA wanted freedom to trade with anyone- both countries were trying to starve the other (cut off supply lines)- Britain stopped and seized more American vessels than the French did

British Stop-and-Search Tactics

- navy was stopping and searching American ships to look for British deserters- sailors treated poorly (bad food, low pay)- to Americans, it was insulting to be boarded

Britain’s Aboriginal Allies- In US Congress, some

frontiersmen pushed for war with Britain

- These were known as “War Hawks”

- They claimed the British in Canada were providing Tecumseh with guns and supplies

- Blamed Aboriginals for attacks on American frontier settlements

American War Hawks

- They believed US would soon own North America

- Believed taking Canada was a great idea- Not all Americans believed in this- When US government voted to go to war,

the decision was close- Many close to the border depended on

trade with Canada

Major Events of the War

Fort Detroit- Tecumseh joined Brock- Brock sent a clever message

to American General Hull at Detroit, warning that his Aboriginal allies were uncontrollable

- Americans so terrified of Aboriginals that they surrendered

- To celebrate, Brock and Tecumseh exchanged sashes before the troops

Battle of Queenston Heights- 13 October, 1812, news

that the Americans had crossed the Niagara River reached Brock

- Brock mustered 100 men- Brock’s bright red tunic

was a perfect target for sharpshooters

- General Sheaffe arrived later with 300 British troops, 50 militiamen, and 300 Mohawk

Queenston Heights Continued…

- Sheaffe managed to get up on the heights, behind the American line

- Mohawk closed in from the sides

- Many Americans turned and ran

- 300 American soldiers killed/wounded, 950 taken prisoner

- 14 Canadians killed, 57 wounded

Other Notable EventsYork: April 1813, Americans attacked York,

burned wooden Parliament Buildings. Attackers left after looting

Niagara: British commander General Vincent led a sneak attack on Americans at Stoney Creek

Beaver Dam: where Laura Secord became a hero. Americans were defeated

Naval Battles: Niagara Falls made it tough. Americans won a significant battle on Lake Erie.

Moraviantown: Chief Tecumseh killed. A disaster for the British (soldiers become depressed)>

Chrysler’s Farm

- An American attack- Canadian, British and

Aboriginal troops work together to defeat them

- This stopped the advance on Montreal

The Burning of Washington: 1814- In August, 1814, British

navy carried war to capital of US

- Army landed and marched on Washington

- Revenge for burning of York

- Government buildings burnt, including president’s mansion

- Legend has it, scorched buildings had to be white-washed to cover burn marks

The War That Nobody Won- By end of 1814, both sides tired of fighting- No clear winner- Treaty of Ghent signed Christmas Eve,

1814- Negotiations took place in Europe- News did not reach Canada until March,

1815- Decided to put territory back to where it

was before the war- Treaty did not settle issues between US

and Britain- 49th parallel established- Each country agreed only 4 warships on

Great Lakes (Rush-Bagot Agreement)- Led to strong feelings of pride in Upper

Canada