Events Leading Up + War of 1812 Flashcards
What was the Rule of 1756?
A British policy that barred neutral nations from trading with enemy ports normally closed to them in time of peace, allowing the British to virtually control the trade routes of the world in times of war.
On 23 July 1805, a British Admiralty Court ruled in the Essex Case that the US vessel had violated the Rule of 1756. What were the practical implications of the ruling?
US merchant ships now could not claim immunity as neutrals when they transported French or Spanish goods via American ports.
What were Constitution’s orders prior to the Great Escape?
To meet up with John Rodgers squadron in or around New York.
Name the British ships and their classifications during the Great Escape.
HMS Shannon, 38-gun frigate (Flagship) HMS Africa 64-gun ship of the line HMS Belvidera 36-gun frigate HMS Aeolus 32-gun frigate HMS Guerierre 38-gun frigate
During the Great Escape an American merchant vessel was in danger of being captured by the British squadron pursuing Constitution. How did the merchant vessel avoid being caught.
Captain Hull scared off the merchant vessel by hoisting a British flag and setting more sail as if he were going to chase the vessel.
On 02 August 1812, Constitution departed Boston on what mission?
She was bound for a raiding cruise off Nova Scotia, the Gulf of St. Lawrence and Newfoundland under the direction of her captain.
What was Secretary of the Navy Paul Hamilton’s strategy to win the war against England during the War of 1812?
Hamilton’s strategy was to attack British trade routes from the West Indies and South America to England by dividing American naval forces into three squadrons that would fan out across the Atlantic.
During the Guerriere Battle American musketry had what effect?
We killed the British second lieutenant, wounded the captain, wounded the first lieutenant, and wounded the sailing master.
Who described the aftermath of the battle aboard Guerriere in the following way: “pieces of skulls, brains, legs, arms & blood…in every directions and groanes (sic) of the wounded were almost enough to make me curse the war.”?
Midshipman Henry Gilliam
How many guns did Guerriere have and of what size?
Armed with 30 18lb long guns on her gun deck, 16 32lb carronades on the spar deck (2 were on the f’csle), one 12lb howitzer on the quarterdeck, and 2 long 12s on the f’csle.
There was a gap between the Java battle and the battle with Cyane and Levant. What are the reasons for this?
In 1814, Constitution was returning to Boston for repairs and to offload some sick personnel. While she was en route to Boston, two British frigates spotted her and chased her to Marblehead.
After Captain Charles Stewart’s initial capture of Cyane and Levant, into which port did he take all three ships?
Puerto Praia in Cape Verdes.
When was the Treaty of Ghent ratified by Congress?
17 February 1815.
What does “status quo antebellum” mean?
It means “the state existing before the war.”
When the Treaty of Ghent was ratified, what clause was built into the document that related to naval units on both sides and how did that affect Constitution’s last engagement in the War of 1812?
There was a 12-day “time late” clause built into the treaty to provide time to communicate the fact that the war was over to the far-flung naval units on both sides. This means that Constitution’s last engagement was legal because it fell within the 12-day time period.
