H102- Military History (War of 1812)

Question 1

What were the immediate causes of the War of 1812?

Answer 1

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

Question 2

Who was president at the start of the War of 1812?

Answer 2

James Madison

Question 3

Who wrote the Star-Spangled Banner in 1814?

Answer 3

Frances Scott Key

Question 4

What event is the Star-Spangled Banner describing?

Answer 4

Admiral Cochrane bombarding Fort McHenry on the Baltimore harbor.

Question 5

What Treaty ended the War of 1812?

Answer 5

The Treaty of Ghent, December 24, 1814

Question 6

What was the overall outcome of the War of 1812?

Answer 6

No gain on either side. Impressment went unaddressed

Question 7

What was significant about the Battle of New Orleans in 1815?

Answer 7

War was already over.

Andrew Jackson defeated British which improved American Nationalism.

Question 8

Many at the time of the War of 1812 considered it a ___

Answer 8

Second War for American Independence

Question 9

USS Chesapeake- 1812

Answer 9

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

Question 10

USS Constitution- 1812

Answer 10

“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)

Question 11

Democratic-Republicans- 1812

Answer 11

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.

Question 12

Embargo- 1812

Answer 12

An economic sanction that prevents goods from being shipped out of one country in order to hurt the economy of another country

Question 13

Embargo Act- 1812

Answer 13

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and France, who were both interfering in US shipping, the Embargo Act caused economic discomfort in the US and was repealed on March 1, 1809, to be replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act.

Question 14

Federalists- 1812

Answer 14

The political party of Alexander Hamilton, which advocated a strong central government and loose interpretation of the Constitution

Question 15

Fort McHenry- 1812

Answer 15

American island fortress that guarded Baltimore’s Harbor. In 1814, it withstood British bombardment, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write the Star-Spangled Banner

Question 16

Impressment- 1812

Answer 16

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

Question 17

Macon’s Bill No. 2- 1812

Answer 17

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)

Question 18

Non-Intercourse Act- 1812

Answer 18

After the repeal of the unpopular Embargo Act, this 1809 law restricted trade only with Britain and France (led to US making everything)

Question 19

Orders in Council- 1812

Answer 19

British laws requiring all ships wishing to trade with Europe to stop in a British port first. (impossible under Napoleon’s Continental System)

Question 20

Secession- 1812

Answer 20

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.

Question 21

War Hawks- 1812

Answer 21

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.

Question 22

John Quincy Adams

Answer 22

6th president (1825-1829) and leading formulator of American diplomacy

Question 23

Isaac Brock

Answer 23

General who commanded the British forces in Canada during the War of 1812

Question 24

Henry Clay

Answer 24

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

Question 25

Thomas Cochrane

Answer 25

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

Question 26

William Henry Harrison

Answer 26

9th president. Defeated Tecumseh at Tippecanoe

Question 27

Andrew Jackson

Answer 27

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

Question 28

Thomas Jefferson

Answer 28

3rd president. (1800-1808). Author of the Declaration of Independence and a leading American political philosopher. Despite the unpopularity of his 1807 Embargo Act.

Question 29

Francis Scott Key

Answer 29

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

Question 30

Thomas Macdonough

Answer 30

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.

Question 31

James Madison

Answer 31

4th president and Founding Father. (1809-1817). Secretary of State for Jefferson, led during War of 1812.

Question 32

Edward Packenham

Answer 32

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

Question 33

Oliver Hazard Perry

Answer 33

An American naval officer, Perry’s small fleet won a celebrated battle against the British on Lake Erie

Question 34

The Prophet

Answer 34

Named Laulewasikau, a Shawnee visionary and brother of Tecumseh

Question 35

Robert Ross

Answer 35

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.

Question 36

Tecumseh

Answer 36

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

Question 37

The Creeks split into ___ and ___

Answer 37

Red sticks (British)
White sticks (didn't want to fight)

Question 38

William Winder

Answer 38

General who commanded the disorganized American forces at Bladensburg, leading to a complete route by the British (Ross)

Question 39

Bladensberg- 1812

Answer 39

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.

Question 40

Treaty of Ghent- 1812

Answer 40

Signed n December 24, 1814 in the Belgian town of Ghent, the Treaty ended the War of 1812

Question 41

Hartford Convention- 1812

Answer 41

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

Question 42

Battle of Horseshoe Bend- 1812

Answer 42

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.

Question 43

Battle of the Thames- 1812

Answer 43

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.

Question 44

Tippecanoe- 1812

Answer 44

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