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The United States Declares War (June 18, 1812)

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The United States Declares War (June 18, 1812)

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Congress declared war against Great Britain, marking the beginning of the War of 1812. The main causes involved British interference with American trade, impressment of Americans to serve in the British Navy, and aid against U.S. western expansion given to Native American tribes.

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British Blockade of American Ports (1812–1815)

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British Blockade of American Ports (1812–1815)

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The British navy established a blockade along the American coast, virtually shutting off any trade routes and limited supply. The blockade obstructed America's ability to supply its own troops and encouraged many Americans to make their goods. This was eventually to fuel American industries.

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Battle of Queenston Heights (October 13, 1812)

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Battle of Queenston Heights (October 13, 1812)

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The first of several key battles of the war, the U.S. attempted to invade Canada-then British territory-at Queenston Heights.This defeat indicated how tough it would be to invade Canadian territory and was a blow to early American morale.

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British and Native American forces captured Detroit from American forces without a fight after an intimidating display of force. The victory, won under the leadership of British Major General Isaac Brock and Shawnee leader Tecumseh, gave the British control of a key strategic area in the Great Lakes.

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Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813)

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Battle of Lake Erie (September 10, 1813)

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On Lake Erie, the United States achieved one of the most important victories in the war; with Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry in charge, his fleet managed to capture all the British ships on the lake.

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This battle saw American forces under the command of General William Henry Harrison defeat the British and Native American force, which the Native leader named Tecumseh was killed.

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American forces stormed and occupied for a brief period York, in Canada, and did partial destruction of some government buildings. It was enough of a victory to enrage the British to damage Washington, D.C.

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One of the bloodiest battles of this war occurred just around Niagara Falls. This came at a very heavy cost for both sides and ended in a draw.

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Hartford Convention (December 1814 – January 1815)

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Hartford Convention (December 1814 – January 1815)

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The New England Federalists met to complain about the war and even threatened to secede from the United States. News of the Treaty of Ghent and the victory by Jackson at New Orleans made their cause unpopular, and public opinion turned against them and ultimately hurt the Federalist Party.

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Creek War and Battle of Horseshoe Bend (March 27, 1814)

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Creek War and Battle of Horseshoe Bend (March 27, 1814)

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American forces under the command of General Andrew Jackson defeated the Creek Nation in Alabama and ended the Creek War. The battle was concluded by the Treaty of Fort Jackson, which obliged the Creeks to cede vast lands in the southeastern U.S. and ultimately weakened Native American resistance.

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British Attack on Washington, D.C. (August 24, 1814)

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British Attack on Washington, D.C. (August 24, 1814)

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The British invaded Washington, D.C. and burned many government buildings including the White House and the Capitol. First Lady Dolley Madison famously saved a portrait of George Washington before fleeing. This attack marked one of the more humiliating moments in the history of the United States and called for more defenses.

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Battle of Baltimore and the Defense of Fort McHenry (September 13-14, 1814)

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Battle of Baltimore and the Defense of Fort McHenry (September 13-14, 1814)

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The British attempt to take Baltimore was stopped in the Battle of Baltimore. After a 25-hour attack, an American flag was flying over Fort McHenry. Francis Scott Key was inspired to write that he viewed his flag, writing this poem that would later become "The Star-Spangled Banner." This successfully thwarted the British attempt to enter Baltimore.

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Happened after the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed; news of this treaty had not reached America yet. The great victory for the Americans was led by General Andrew Jackson in an entirely one-sided battle, with over 2,000 British casualties against approximately 70 losses for the Americans. Their triumph went a long way in raising American morale and nationalism, turning Jackson into a national hero and a symbol of resistance.

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News of the Treaty of Ghent Reaching the United States (Late January 1815)

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News of the Treaty of Ghent Reaching the United States (Late January 1815)

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News of the Treaty of Ghent reached the United States and finally informed Americans that the war had officially ended in December. With this news, further military action was essentially curtailed as both sides waited for the formal ratification of the document. Though the treaty did not address the original issues of impressment that propelled the country into war, it did restore peace and return the relations between both countries to pre-war conditions. The Treaty of Ghent at last placed U.S.-British relations on a stable footing, allowing attention to shift inland.

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Ratification of the Treaty of Ghent (February 16, 1815)

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Ratification of the Treaty of Ghent (February 16, 1815)

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The U.S. Senate ratified the Treaty of Ghent, marking the official close of the War of 1812, and President Madison proclaimed the war at an end the following day. Ratification marked a new era in relations between the U.S. and Great Britain, leading into what is known as the "Era of Good Feelings"-a time of national unity with lessened political strife. The end of British support for Native American resistance gave further way to westward expansion for Americans-again, nurturing a more confident and united nation in the process.