-->

• The War of 1812 was a conflict between the British and Americans over trade rights and the impressment of American sailors. The war lasted from 1812-1815 and resulted in 1,600 British deaths and 2,260 American deaths. The war, fought so close to the Revolutionary War, is sometimes referred to as the Second War of Independence because the American military was able to successfully defend the country from British forces, cementing the right of The United States of America to exist independently from The United Kingdom.

• Fast Facts

  1. Known as the Second War of Independence
  2. Established border between U.S. and Canada
  3. Fought mainly on sea and Great Lakes
  4. Most remembered for burning of The White House and writing of the Star Spangled Banner

• Star Spangled Banner

  Francis Scott Key wrote the words for the Star Spangled Banner while he was held captive during the Battle of Fort McHenry in the Chesepeake Bay near Baltimore, Maryland.

• Treaty of Ghent and Battle of New Orleans

  After two years of conflict, the American and British forces were at an impasse, leading the sides to agree to treaty negotiations. On December 24, 1814, American and British diplomats signed the Treaty of Ghent in Ghent, Belgium, designed to end hostilities. However, because of the slow speed of early 19th Century communications, word of the treaty was delayed in reaching the troops and commanders. Thus, Andrew Jackson and his forces defeated the British at the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815, after the singing of the treaty.

• Related Mahalo Pages

  Battle of New Orleans | Battle of Lake Erie | Napoleonic Conflict | USS Constitution | Treaty of Ghent | Burning of Washington | Battle of York | Andrew Jackson | Oliver Hazard Perry | Napoleon Bonapart | Battle of Tippecanoe

Categories

• View History
• Discuss on the Message Board
• Embed this Page
• Share this page