The War of 1812 was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 18, 1812, to February 17, 1815. It arose mainly due to British violations of American maritime rights, including the impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, restrictions on U.S. trade during Britain's ongoing war with France, and British support for Native American attacks on American settlers
. Key events and outcomes of the war include:
- The U.S. declared war on Britain on June 18, 1812, marking the first time the United States formally declared war on another nation
- Early American invasions of Canada were largely unsuccessful. For example, General William Hull invaded Upper Canada but was forced to surrender Fort Detroit to the British in August 1812
- The British retaliated by burning Washington, D.C., including the Capitol and the White House, in August 1814, after American forces had burned York (now Toronto) in Canada the previous year
- Significant battles included the American victory at the Battle of Lake Erie in 1813, which secured control of the lake, and the Battle of Baltimore in 1814, where American forces successfully defended Fort McHenry. This defense inspired Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner"
- The war's last major battle was the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815, where General Andrew Jackson led American forces to a decisive victory against a larger British force. This battle occurred after the peace treaty had been signed but before news of the treaty reached the combatants
- The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, officially ended the war and restored pre-war boundaries and conditions without addressing the maritime issues that had caused the conflict. The treaty was ratified by the U.S. Congress on February 17, 1815
The war resulted in no clear territorial gains for either side but is often considered a "Second War for Independence" for the United States, as it affirmed American sovereignty and fostered a sense of national unity and identity. It also led to the decline of the Federalist Party in the U.S. and elevated Andrew Jackson as a national hero
