America's Wars II: War of 1812 Quiz

Answer: William Henry Harrison

On Nov 7, 1811, Harrison, the Governor of the Indiana Territory, was attacked by Tecumseh's brother, Prophet. The Native Americans were repulsed, and their confederation demoralized. Tecumseh fled to Canada, allying himself with the British.

Answer: War Hawks

The War Hawks, led by Henry Clay (Kentucky) and John Calhoun (South Carolina), favored a war with Britain because of the British alliance with Indian tribes to the British stopping American ships looking for "deserters". The War Hawks also wanted control of British Canada and proposed an invasion. War was declared June 12, 1812.

Answer: U.S.S. Constitution

The Congress and the President attacked the Belvidera on June 23, 1812. The Belvidera escaped destruction when the President's main gun blew up on deck. On August 19, 1812, the Constitution defeated the H.M.S. Guerriere.

Answer: Willam Hull

On July 11-12, 1812, Hull crossed over the Detroit river and invaded Canada. The British along with Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, repulsed the Americans and evenutally took Detroit.

Answer: Ohio

On May 1, 1813 General Harrison finds himself in the Ohio fort (near present day Toledo) surrounded by the forces of the British General Henry Proctor. Harrison sends out messengers to the relief column of Kentuckians. The Kentucky militia destroy the British cannon, but are decimated by Tecumseh and his men, to the horror of Harrison. Proctor retreats.

Answer: The Battle of the Thames

On September 27, 1813, Harrison arrived in Detroit, forcing Proctor to withdraw into Canada. The Americans followed. On October 5, 1813 the British formed up into a defensive line between two swamps near the Thames river. Tecumseh's men hid in the swamps and attacked, but were overwhelmed. Tecumseh was dead, the British surrendered. Proctor, who escaped, was later court martialled.

Answer: George Washington

After Napoleon's defeat, the British got much needed reinforcements. They sailed up the Patuxent river and marched to the capital. The British crushed the defenders at small battle called the Battle of Bladensburg. On August 25, 1814, the Britsh marched on Washington, demanding a surrender.

A shot rang out and they burned the Capitol building and the White House shortly after it had been abandoned. A chance rainstorm prevented the fires from spreading and the British were ordered to retreat.

Answer: 4

Francis Scott Key, a lawyer, was given the task of obtaining the release of a civilian prisoner, Dr. William Beanes. Key and a Colonel John Stuart Skinner freed Dr. Beane and were aboard a negotiating ship when the British attacked Ft. McHenry on Sept 13, 1814.

The poem originally called "The Defense of Ft. McHenry", was publically read in October 1814. It was later renamed "The Star Spangled Banner" and was set to the tune of "To Anacreon in Heaven" and became our National Anthem in 1931.

Answer: Ghent

On December 24, 1814 American and British officials met in Ghent, Belgium and negotiated the Treaty of Ghent. The treaty was officially announced February 17, 1815. Future president John Quincy Adams was one of the emmissaries.

Answer: Andrew Jackson

On January 8, 1815 Jackson won the last major battle of the war. The British sufferd more than 2000 casualties, compared to 20 American. Word of New Orleans got out about the same time as the Treaty of Ghent, causing a surge of nationalism throughout the country.