The war of 1812 Flashcards
1
Q
how long did the war of 1812 last?
A
2 and a half years
2
Q
how many battles were fought in the war of 1812, and where did most of them take place?
A
over 170 which took place in southern Ontario (Toronto, Niagara Falls, St. Catharines, Windsor, etc.)
3
Q
What does this mean - Highly contested over who the ultimate winner war?
A
This means there is often debate over who truly “won” the war
4
Q
what year and where did the american revolution take place?
A
1775 in the USA
5
Q
who fought in the american revolution?
A
Loyalists (supported british rule) and Patriots (opposed British rule)
6
Q
who won the american revolution?
A
the Patriots
7
Q
how did the Americans feel towards the British after the Americans won the american revolution?
A
that the British were not respectful of their independence - they felt as though they were still trying to interfere in the American government
8
Q
leading up to the war of 1812 who did the British have another conflict with?
A
the french
9
Q
where the french people strong or weak in 1812?
A
strong
10
Q
who were the french led by in 1812?
A
Napoleon Bonaparte
11
Q
when did the Americans see an opportunity to gain control of north america?
A
when the British were focused on the war in Europe
12
Q
when did the Americans become more forceful towards their people?
A
1812
13
Q
in 1812 what did the Americans care a lot about?
A
freedom - because they were just granted independence
14
Q
what were the British always trying to do?
A
build up the amount of people in their military
15
Q
what did the British look for when trying to expand their army?
A
They began searching for ports (towns near the water) in Europe to round up men to join the Navy.
16
Q
what was the process which the British were using to expand their army?
A
impressment
Actual definition - The act of forcing individuals to serve in the Navy, with or without notice.
17
Q
what were the people called who were impressed?
A
press gangs
18
Q
did the Americans agree or disagree with impressment?
A
disagree - They viewed it as an offence to national pride and personal freedom
19
Q
what did the British do to make matters even worse for the Americans in terms of impressment?
A
the British began using impressment against Americans, forcing them to work on British ships.
20
Q
how many Americans were impressed over the course of 6 years?
A
6000
21
Q
what did the americans fight for in the american revolution?
A
freedom
22
Q
what was one of the things which the Americans believed regarding their people?
A
that it was important for people to have the opportunity to choose their own path in life.
23
Q
what were people called which left the army without of permission?
A
deserters
24
Q
what is another word for impressment?
A
Conscription
25
what is the difference between impressment and Conscription?
Conscription is legal and Conscription is not
26
what is the definition of impressment?
when people are forced into a navy or army to fight for their country or a different one
27
what did the americans want more of
land
28
who viewed the "expansion" of land as their duty or right?
many Americans especially politicians
29
what did the americans push west of and what did that do for them?
They pushed west of the 13 Colonies (the first 13 U.S. states) spreading their culture throughout as much of the continent as they could, but they also wanted to push north into British North america
30
What challenges might Americans face if they try to expand west in North America?
There are British settlers, many of whom were battle tested, who would oppose the Americans coming into “Canada”
31
Why might this be the right time to expand west in North America?
Britain and France are tied up with war in Europe. Their focus is elsewhere…
32
Before, during and slightly after the War Of 1812 who was the president of america?
James Madison
33
What was James Madison known for in comparison to other things?
Madison was a president known far more for his intelligence than his military prowess and strength
34
What was James Madison best known for?
He is best known for being the father of the American Constitution
35
What is Madison's most notable strength and weakness?
Most notable strength = Excellent ideas and vision for government
Most notable weakness = Confidence making war-related decisions
36
James Madison was more _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ than many would expect a president to be - fill in the blank
Reserved
37
When did many politicians feel it was time to fight back against the British?
when Britain continued to assert itself against the Americans
38
In what year did many American politicians, under President James Madison, support the idea of going to war with the British?
1810
39
What were the people called who supported the plan of going to war and attacking the British?
These war supporters were called War Hawks.
40
What did the War Hawks demand Madison to do?
They demanded action in armed conflict and put pressure on Madison to support this fight.
41
What did the war hawks believe?
The war hawks firmly believed that America, while less than 40 years old, was a strong country that needed to be stronger.
42
What did the war hawks think had to happen in order for america to be stronger?
To them, the only way to achieve these goals was through war
43
When did James Madison declare war on north america?
June 12th 1812
44
What is American Land expansion?
America’s desire to expand West and North and into Canada. Expanding north into Canada would cause conflict with the British settlers in the area
45
What was British Interference with American ships?
America was helping France during their war with Britain by sending supplies to them on ships, supporting Napoleon. Britain blocked all American shipments into France. This interfered with American trade, therefore affecting the economy.
46
Who were American settlers living in Canada still loyal to?
Britain
47
Who was Ross Cuthbert?
The inspector of police at the time
48
The Americans were _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ that they would easily win the war.
Confident
49
What did the Americans not anticipate?
They did not anticipate that settlers in modern day Canada would fight back.
50
Who were the Americans (army) led by at the start of the war of 1812?
General William Hull - a high ranking officer in the American military
51
What did William hull believe and think?
Hull believed that the colonists in British North America would not resist the American invasion.
He thought that the Americans would free and protect these colonists from British/European control.
He figured that the colonists in Upper Canada were caught in the middle and Americans needed to ‘help them’
52
What did William Hull plan?
to lead a major invasion into British North America
53
What were the Americans doing in August of 1812?
the Americans were beginning to build a heavy presence near what is now the American/Canadian border (near modern day Windsor, Ontario). Thousands of American soldiers were set to invade “Canada”
54
Which side did Chief Tecumseh fight on behalf of?
Chief Tecumseh fought on behalf of the British/Canadians and aimed to put a stop to American invasions
55
Who was Chief Tecumseh?
Tecumseh was a key member of the Shawnee First Nations. He had continuously experienced American invasion attempts and had been battling against the Americans for decades
He was a person who clearly knew that the Americans would stop at nothing to take over British North America - he teamed up with brock to fight against the americans
56
What are some facts about Tecumseh? - more about tecumseh
Tecumseh was a strong, fearless leader with a vision that involved defending his land from the Americans
He was excellent at rallying his men together in defense of attacking nations
Tecumseh became aware of American General William Hull’s intention to cross the Detroit/Windsor border and invade the area
Through strong defensive tactics and careful planning, Tecumseh was able to retrieve important intelligence/information about American attack plans. The Americans were somewhat careless with their information
The Americans were waiting in Detroit and Tecumseh now knew their location and some of their plans to attack British North America
57
What was Tecumseh good at?
He was excellent at rallying his men together in defense of attacking nations
58
What did Tecumseh know had to be done in terms of attacking the Americans?
The he would need to form an alliance with the British army
59
Who was an important British war general?
Isaac Brock
60
Who's relationship positively impacted the war of 1812?
The relationship between Isaac Brock and Chief Tecumseh
61
What did Isaac Brock and Chief Tecumseh both understand and know?
that the First Nations and British could help one another during this war
62
What are facts about Isaac Brock?
Brock was an excellent war general who fought in the front lines with pride. Like James Wolfe, he was born in Britain and was sent to “Canada” to defend against the Americans
He wanted to succeed in British North America to gain positive status in Europe. Winning the War of 1812 was not his final goal. It was more of a stepping stone to achieve further greatness. His goal was to go back to Great Britain having proved himself in Canada and fight in major European battles and wars.
Brock was a particularly strong defensive specialist. He, like Tecumseh, was skilled at keeping the Americans out from Canada. Strengthening Canada’s defenses was his greatest priority.
63
What was General William Hull's biggest fear?
the unpredictability of the First Nations warriors
64
What did Chief Tecumseh do when he found out the William Hull's biggest fear was him and is people?
planned to aggressively stand up to the Americans and intimidate them
65
What did Tecumseh and Brock do when they found out what Hull's plans to attack were?
They wrote hull a letter threatening the Americans
66
Who wrote the letter to William Hull?
Isaac Brock
67
What did the letter to Hull indicate?
The letter indicated that the First Nations warriors were out for blood and would be “out of his control” - This played into Hull’s fear that the First Nations peoples being “savage-like” and unpredictable
This played into Hull’s fear that the First Nations peoples being “savage-like” and unpredictable
68
What did Hull and his men do when it was time for battle against the British and First nations?
Hull waved the white flag meaning he surrendered
69
What did Tecumseh and Brock working together cause?
An important "Canadian" victory
70
What did Brock and Tecumseh’s victory become known as?
Capture Of Detroit (and is one of the few documented moments where British and First Nations Peoples’ successfully worked together)
71
Tecumseh is a street in _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ and is also a street in _ _ _ _ _ _ _.
downtown Toronto and Windsor.
72
When was Tecumseh killed?
at the Battle of Thames in 1813 near London, Ontario
73
When did Brock die?
Brock eventually died in the War of 1812 here in Canada. - He died during a battle called the Battle At Queenston Heights in October of 1812. This was located near modern day Niagara Falls
74
What university is named after Brock and where is it?
Brock University in St. Catharines, Ontario
75
What was the name of the first significant battle in the war of 1812?
The battle of York
76
When and where did the battle of york take place?
Location: York (present day Toronto). Capital of Upper Canada.
Date: April 27, 1813
77
won the battle of york?
the americans - USA
78
What was the city of york home to?
the main government buildings and was also the home base for the most sophisticated weaponry for the British. The best ammunition was housed in Fort York (modern day downtown Toronto
79
while york was a very important city what was it lacking?
defense - the city was very poorly defended by the British North Americans.
80
when did the americans start to move into the york area?
The Americans moved into the area early in the morning on April 27th, 1813.
81
At the beginning of the battle of york who first put up a strong resistance against the Americans?
A small group of First Nations warriors, the Mississauga and Ojibwe in particular, who worked for the British
82
What challenge did the group of first nations face when the americans arrived to fight the battle of york?
They did not have the support nor weapons they needed compared to the Americans - they were forced to fall back into the woods
83
Who led the americans during the battle of york?
Isaac Chauncey
84
How many people did Isaac Chauncey and his army kill when he advanced towards fort york?
150
85
What did Isaac Chauncey use to kill the British when he advanced towards fort york?
Bayonets
86
what was the americans goal after they go through the first nations a the battle of york?
they were determined to steal the ammunitions and add to their already advanced weaponry. Large cannons and explosive black powder were what the Americans were ultimately after
87
who was fort york mainly defended by?
Tito Lelierve
88
Who was tito and what was his job?
While Lelierve was a veteran of the French army, he was actually now fighting for the British at York. His task was to defend York and keep British weaponry out of American hands
89
who was out numbring who at the battle of york?
the americans were out numbering the british
90
what was the order tito received at the battle of york?
stop the Americans at all costs. As a result, Lelierve was about to perform a daring, dangerous act
91
due to the order tito received during the battle of york what did he do to stop the americans and what did that accomplish?
After luring in the Americans, Lelierve, himself, moved away from the fort but ordered his men to set a fuse and ignite a blast. This blast killed nearly 100 people in an instant (both British and Americans).
The ultimate accomplishment, however, was keeping weaponry out of American hands. This is what Lelierve was able to accomplish even though he lost many of his own men in the process.
92
what did the americans do as a result of titos actions during the battle of york?
The Americans were furious after what Lelierve did. They came back against the British in York and unleashed revenge not only on British soldiers, but everyday civilians in York
93
what did the british do after the americans unleashed revenge on york?
The British surrendered and the Americans occupied the city for around 6 days causing havoc and chaos. They burned down homes, the main library, the one and only printing press in the city and the Parliament building before eventually sailing out to the harbour and away from the city.
94
what happened a year and a half after the battle of york?
the british re-built their parliament buildings ad the Americans attacked again yet this time lost to the britishs new and improved defenses
95
what was the second significant battle in the war of 1812 called?
Burning of Washington, DC
96
where was the location and date of the battle of Washington dc and who won the battle?
Location: Washington, DC
Date: August 24, 1814
Result: British North American Victory
97
What was the cause of the battle of washington dc?
This was a revenge plot created by the British against the Americans for what took place at the Battle of York over a year earlier. The British wanted to draw the American navy further away from Upper and Lower Canada, so they increased their naval presence near Maryland and Washington, DC. Washington was surprisingly weakly defended much like York was in 1813.
98
how did the british approach and start the burning of washington dc?
the British sailed up the Patuxent River with 4500 men towards Washington dealing with terrible heat and humidity, but not much American army resistance.
* The British pushed through the American defense, and despite losing approximately 250 men, they stormed through them
and into the city.
99
what did the americans do when they found out the british were approaching wahsington dc?
they fled the White House and ran away.
100
why were the british able to push through the americans so well during the battle of washington dc?
A major reason the British pushed through the Americans so well at this time was because they had recruited many actual British soldiers from Europe. These soldiers were now freed up from the war with Napoleon in Europe and were sent over to North America to fight the Americans
- These soldiers played a key role in the Burning of Washington and the White House
101
what buildings did the british burn down in washington dc?
the white house and other public buildings
102
what did American soldiers who successfully invaded “Canada” do?
posed an extreme danger in many areas
103
in what region was the American military presence high?
the Niagara Region
104
what did the women do during the presence of the american military?
Women, meanwhile, took care of homes, their children and provided crucial support to soldiers in camps and on the battlefields
- Thousands of British North American women and children were forced from their homes including an estimated 4500 First Nations women and children.
- Soldiers would often raid their homes and in some cases, would hold them hostage.
105
What is important to note about war heros?
War heroes do not always involve people who actually fought in the war.
106
where was laura secord born and when did she move to canada?
she was born in Massachusetts, but moved to Queenston (5-10 km from Niagara Falls) when she was 20.
107
who was laura secords husband and what did he do?
her husband, James Secord, served under Isaac Brock and he continued to support the British North Americans working as an officer after Brock died
108
when did the Americans invaded Queenston and aggressively forced their way into many homes in the area, including Laura Secord's?
June of 1813
109
what did the americans do when they arrived at laura secords home?
The Americans demanded to be fed and essentially took over Laura Secord's home and held her, her husband and their kids more or less at hostage.
110
what were the americans planning in lauras house?
an attack on beaver dams
111
who was beaver dams run by?
a British Officer named Lieutenant James Fitzgibbon.
112
when laura heard about the attack on beaver dams and her husband was ill what did she do?
decide to take matters into her own hands - laura trekked around 32 km towards Beaver Dams to warn the British soldiers that the attack was coming. Around 500 American Soldiers were expected to attack Fitzgibbon and his British troops.
113
when was the attack on beaver dams?
on June 24, 1813
114
which first nations tribe and specific warrior helped the british win the fight at beaver dams?
First Nations Haudenosanee warriors and specifically, a 16 year old First Nations warrior named John Tutela
115
was laura given a lot of credit for what she did?
no, not at first but over time yes. over time, Secord's journey became more formally recorded. The suffragist movement (highlighting women's rights and specifically pushed for the need for women to vote) gained recognition around 1880 and they needed a female role model/hero. Secord became that hero. Unfortunately, it was after she died where she became known as this courageous, historical figure from the War of 1812.
116
how has laura secrod been commemorated?
there is a chocolate company named after her, There is a postcard with her picture on it, Her portrait was put up in Parliament
, Her home in Queenston, Ontario is now a museum
117
when did william hull issue a proclamation to canadians
on july 12th 1812
118
what was the war between the british and the french in europe called?
The Napoleonic War
119
what allowed britain to switch their focus to protecting “Canada” and possibly attacking the United States in North America?
the ending of The Napoleonic War in europe
120
how did the end of The Napoleonic War impact the americans?
The end of the Napoleonic War also brought the end of impressment and restrictions on American trade.
121
when were the americans looking to end the war of 1812?
in 1814
122
over time what did the americans realize?
that they wouldn't be able to take over canada
123
what did the americans do after they came to the conclusion that they wouldn't be able to take over canada?
They began to switch their focus and wanted to focus more on building up American lands that had been won during the American Revolution.
124
had the British successfully protected “Canada” from American invasion?
yes.
125
how did the war of 1812 officially end?
with the signing of a treaty
126
what was the treaty which ended the war called, and when was it signed?
The treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24th, 1814
127
where was the treaty of ghent signed?
In belgium
128
why was the treaty of ghent signed in belgium?
Because it was neutral territory
129
what did the treaty of ghent do?
The Treaty of Ghent basically returned everything to the way it was before the war
Any territories that the British had won during the war were returned to the Americans.
Any territories that the Americans had won during the war were returned to the British.
The “Canada”-US border stayed the exact same.
130
despite the treaty being signed what dispute was still taking place between the nations?
the Battle of New Orleans.
131
who won the battle of new orleans?
Americans *technically* won this battle - so they view it as winning the war
British view this battle as a small loss, but they still believe that they won the war
132
what did both the british and american people think after signing the treaty?
they both thought they had won the war of 1812
133
which main first nations groups fought in the war of 1812 alongside the british army?
the Shawnee, Haudenousaunee Six Nations, Ojibwe, Dakota and Mississauga Nations fought in nearly every single battle during the war.
134
who ultimately suffered the most losses from the war?
the first nations - They not only would lose land that they were promised, but also, their status.
They would lose the rights promised to them in the Royal Proclamation of 1763
135
what did the british do to the first nations after the war of 1812?
After the war ended, the British stopped creating military alliances with the First Nations Peoples.
This was around the same time where they focused on policies surrounding assimilation of the First Nations Peoples.
136
were their any first nations people at the treaty of ghent?
no. - The First Nations Peoples lost their military and economic allies in North America. The promises made by the British to secure land for them were completely abandoned.
137
why do the americans believe they won the war of 1812?
It was almost like a second war of independence for them. They may have not gotten any new land, but they surely stood up against a much larger, more powerful nation in the British.
138
why do the british / canada believe that they won the war f 1812?
The War of 1812 was the moment where the British colonists North of America's borders banded together as a nation to defend their land. This would pave the way for Canada to become its very own country under the British empire.
139
from the perspective of canadian historians who won the war of 1812?
the british / canadians
