H102- Military History (War of 1812) Flashcards
What were the immediate causes of the War of 1812?
A series of economic sanctions taken by the British and French against the US as part of the Napoleonic Wars and American outrage at the British practice of impressment
Who was president at the start of the War of 1812?
James Madison
Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814?
Frances Scott Key
What event is the Star-Spangled Banner describing?
Admiral Cochrane bombarding Fort McHenry on the Baltimore harbor.
What Treaty ended the War of 1812?
The Treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814
What was the overall outcome of the War of 1812?
No gain on either side. Impressment went unaddressed
What was significant about the Battle of New Orleans in 1815?
War was already over.
Andrew Jackson defeated British which improved American Nationalism.
Many at the time of the War of 1812 considered it a ___
Second War for American Independence
USS Chesapeake- 1812
In 1807, off the Virginia Coast, the USS Chesapeake was approached by a British vessel, the HMS Leopard, which asked to board and reclaim 4 deserters. When the Chesapeake refused, the British vessel opened fire, in violation of international law and outraging the entire United States
USS Constitution- 1812
“Old Ironsides”, this US Naval ship surprised the world when it defeated the HMS Guerriere in waters off Bermuda on August 20, 1812 (still commissioned)
Democratic-Republicans- 1812
Party of Jefferson, opposed to the Federalists and their program of strong central government and loos interpretation of the Constitution. They were a major political force from 1801-1825.
Embargo- 1812
An economic sanction that prevents goods from being shipped out of one country in order to hurt the economy of another country
Embargo Act- 1812
Jefferson’s 1807 response to British activities like the Chesapeake Incident. Intended to hurt Britain and France, who were both interfering in US shipping, the Embargo Act caused economic discomfort in the US and was repealed on March 1, 1809, to be replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act.
Federalists- 1812
The political party of Alexander Hamilton, which advocated a strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution
Fort McHenry- 1812
American island fortress that guarded Baltimore’s Harbor. In 1814, it withstood British bombardment, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner
Impressment- 1812
Technique the British used to staff their ships. Sailors from other countries would be captured and forced to work for the British navy in a “press-gang” crew. Though certainly a British technique, it was not as prevalent as exaggerated by American propagandists
Macon’s Bill No. 2- 1812
Madison’s 1810 ploy to get either Britain or France to lift trade restrictions–if one country agreed to free trade with the US, sanctions would be re-imposed against other Nations. (France falsely agreed)
Non-Intercourse Act- 1812
After the repeal of the unpopular Embargo Act, this 1809 law restricted trade only with Britain and France (led to US making everything)
Orders in Council- 1812
British laws requiring all ships wishing to trade with Europe to stop in a British port first. (impossible under Napoleon’s Continental System)
Secession- 1812
When a state leaves the union based on the argument that if the union no longer represents the interests of the state, it has the right (“states rights”) to do so as a sovereign entity.
War Hawks- 1812
Young group of politicians, representing mostly southern and western frontier states, coming to power in Congress in the 1810s. They were tired of their fathers’ stories about “whipping the British” in the Revolution and were anxious for war themselves. Henry Clay, elected Speaker of the House, was the most visible leader of the War Hawks.
John Quincy Adams
6th president (1825-1829) and leading formulator of American diplomacy
Isaac Brock
General who commanded the British forces in Canada during the War of 1812
Henry Clay
Kentucky Congressman and senator throughout the first half of the 19th century. During the War of 1812, Clay was Speaker of the House and a leading War Hawk
Thomas Cochrane
British Admiral who commanded the Royal Navy’s actions in the War of 1812, particularly the naval aspects of the assaults on Baltimore and New Orleans
William Henry Harrison
9th president. Defeated Tecumseh at Tippecanoe
Andrew Jackson
7th president. “Old Hickory”. known for leading several Indian campaigns against the Creek Indians and his stunning victory over British forces at New Orleans in January of 1815
Thomas Jefferson
3rd president. (1800-1808). Author of the Declaration of Independence and a leading American political philosopher. Despite the unpopularity of his 1807 Embargo Act.
Francis Scott Key
American Lawyer detained by the British who, after seeing the American flag remain atop Fort McHenry during its nighttime bombardment in 1814, was inspired to write the Star-Spangled Banner
Thomas Macdonough
US Naval Officer who embarrassed the British by winning the Battle of Lake Champlain in 1814, using cables to swing his boat around in a crucial moment in the battle, presenting the enemy with a fresh broadside. His victory prevented a British invasion of New York.
James Madison
4th president and Founding Father. (1809-1817). Secretary of State for Jefferson, led during War of 1812.
Edward Packenham
British General who was to replace Robert Ross after Ross’ death at Baltimore. Packenham’s late arrival in the New World severely hampered the amphibious invasion of New Orleans
Oliver Hazard Perry
An American naval officer, Perry’s small fleet won a celebrated battle against the British on Lake Erie
The Prophet
Named Laulewasikau, a Shawnee visionary and brother of Tecumseh
Robert Ross
British general who commanded land forces at the battle of Bladensburg in 1814. defeating General Winder and opening the road to Washington, which he burned, Ross was killed in the assault of Baltimore.
Tecumseh
Shawnee chief and leader who organized an intertribal confederation to fight against white encroachment in the Ohio Valley. He was defeated by Harrison at Tippecanoe. He died at the Battle of the Thames, while siding with British in the War of 1812
The Creeks split into ___ and ___
Red sticks (British) White sticks (didn't want to fight)
William Winder
General who commanded the disorganized American forces at Bladensburg, leading to a complete route by the British (Ross)
Bladensberg- 1812
August 24, 1814 battle in which British (under Ross) routed the Americans (under Winder) so quickly that it came to be called the “Bladensburg Races”, This battle opened the way for the British to march to Washington, which they burned.
Treaty of Ghent- 1812
Signed n December 24, 1814 in the Belgian town of Ghent, the Treaty ended the War of 1812
Hartford Convention- 1812
Meeting in late 1814 of discontented New England Federalists to discuss their grievances with the War. Some members contemplated secession. After war, Federalist Party looked like traitors and fell into decline
Battle of Horseshoe Bend- 1812
Also called the Battle of Tohopeka; 1814 battle in which Andrew Jackson crushed the Creek Indian resistance once and for all, ending his Indian campaign and becoming a national military hero.
Battle of the Thames- 1812
October 5, 1813 battle in which General Harrison won a decisive victory over the combined British and Indian forces in Ontario, Canada. Tecumseh was killed in this battle. This victory helped make Harrison even more popular.
Tippecanoe- 1812
November 7, 1811 victory by General Harrison, in which he destroyed the headquarters of Tecumseh’s Indian confederation. Although the US forces suffered heavy losses, Harrison was considered a victor and a hero, and he used the slogan “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too:” in his late successful bid for the presidency
