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The War of 1812. The Condition of the US for War. American military ill-prepared Only 7,000 men in the regular forces Commanding senior officers were old, incompetent or lacked experience. Congress reluctant to spend necessary funds on equipment and supplies.
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The Condition of the US for War • American military ill-prepared • Only 7,000 men in the regular forces • Commanding senior officers were old, incompetent or lacked experience. • Congress reluctant to spend necessary funds on equipment and supplies. • Volunteer soldiers were badly fed and clothed. • People in the New England states openly disapproved of the war
The Naval Fight • Lacked a strong navy • The USS Constitution won a few notable duels with British warships • Britain still able to blockade the US coast
US Invasion of Canada • Although US thought taking over Canada would be easy, proved disastrous in first year • Lost Detroit • Lost Battle on Lake Champlain • Lost Battles at Canadian Border • A year later began to improve • Commander Perry defeated British fleet on Lake Erie • US soldiers retook Detroit • Tecumseh was killed at Battle of Thames = death of Native Confederacy
British Raids • British force refreshed from Europe in 1814 after Napoleon’s downfall • Began campaign up Chesapeake Bay burning and raiding town to town on Atlantic Coast • Easily defeated unorganized American troops outside DC • August 24, 1914 burned the Capitol, White House, and other public buildings • Fires wiped out by huge storm, hurt British too • Dolly Madison
Battle of Baltimore • British continued their advance to Baltimore • Unable to crack US defenses, so Britain abandoned operation
Negotiating at Treaty • Began in August 1814 in Ghent, Belgium • British hoped for some gains, but ultimately had no advantage over US • No control over Great Lakes • Raid on Washington had no significance • US won important naval battles
Treaty of Ghent • Signed Dec. 24, 1814 • Restored the Status Quo Ante Bellum (state of things before the war) • Agreed to determine US/Canadian border at a future date • No addressing of Impressment, although not really an issue with Napoleon gone
Battle of New Orleans • News of Treaty had not yet reached America • British troops under General Pakenham attacked New Orleans Jan. 8, 1815 • American troops led by Andrew Jackson inflicting 2,000 casualties (including killing Pakenham) • US lost 13.
Hartford Convention • New England Federalists fed up with Republicans • Disliked Louisiana Purchase • Disliked War preparations • British blockade crippled New England economy • Some in New England discussed cessation • Instead met at Hartford to pass a series of grievances • News of treaty and success in New Orleans took any chance of Federalists regaining national popularity • Monroe, Madison's successor won election of 1816, Federalist party was finished