US History

Expansion and Reform (1801-1861)

This collection uses primary sources to explore the War of 1812.

An image of a council between William Henry Harrison and Native American leaders, including Tecumseh, August 1810.

An excerpt from evidence provided before Parliament by a British “woolen manufacturer” opposed to the British Orders in Council of 1807.

An excerpt from an explanation of the British Orders in Council, published in 1812.

An excerpt from an 1804 letter from James Madison, Secretary of State, to James Monroe, about British impressment of American sailors.

This letter was originally written in 1804 and was later published in 1810 as part of a pamphlet. The text here includes an introduction to the letter written in 1810.

The American declaration of war from June 18, 1812.

TWELFTH CONGRESS OF THE UNITED STATES;

At the First Session,

Begun and held at the city of Washington, in the territory of Columbia, on Monday the fourth day of November, one thousand eight hundred and eleven.
 

AN ACT declaring war between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories.
 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That war be, and the same is hereby declared to exist between the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the dependencies thereof, and the United States of America and their territories; And that the President of the United States is hereby authorized to use the whole land and naval force of the United States … to carry the same into effect; And to issue to private armed vessels of the United States Commissions or Letters of Marque and General Reprisal, in such form as he shall think proper and under the seat of the United States, against the vessels, goods and and effects of the Government of the said United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland, and the subjects thereof.
 

June 18, 1812

approved

James Madison
 
H Clay, Speaker of the House of Representatives

Wm H. Crawford, President of the Senate, pro tempore
 
I certify that this act did originate in the House of Representatives

Patrick [?], Clerk

An image of Fort George from Fort Niagara, 1813. 

An 1814 image with the title “Naval Heroes of the United States.” 

An 1813 poem celebrating Oliver Hazard Perry’s naval victory on Lake Erie. 

A medallion commemorating the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813. 

An 1816 description of the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle of New Orleans. 

A sheet of music from 1814 with the tune and words to “The Star Spangled Banner.”

Andrew Jackson’s own description, in a letter to James Monroe, of the final conflict of the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815.

An image of the USS *Constitution* capturing the British ships Levant and Cyane on February 20, 1815. 

A letter from Benjamin Hawkins to Georgia Governor Peter Early discussing the Treaty of Ghent and the end of the war, February 26, 1815.

Camp 115 mile 26 Feby [February] 1815.

yesterday about one O clock I received express from [unclear: Capt.] Limbaugha copy of the despatch from the postmaster genl [general] of 14th announcing the arrival of a treaty of peace. I immediately sent off two runners with the information to the Britishcommandant below. They [unclear: met] a flag of truce [unclear: bringing] information [added: me [deleted: from]] from their admiral of the same import, Two officers Lieuts. one of the navy and the other of the army bore the flag. They brought the 9th act of the treaty only, it being all they had recd. [received] The officers remained with me last evening and returned today. This event yesterday was communicated to [unclear: every] command who fired a feu dejoie, and this morning they paraded in one line the Britishofficers received with [unclear: us] the line and one other feu dejoie was fired. --


I have ordered the regiment to prepare to return, and directed it to be by detachment in various directions to communicate the information to all they may meet with. We are greatly [unclear: crowded] with objects of distress.

From the success of our efforts by sea and land and the character of our negotiators I am satisfied the treaty is honorable for us and that the after scene at New Orleanswinds up the whole gloriously for our National Character throughout Europe. We have ascertained our government can stand the shock of war & that we can do without the aid of Federalism in war and peace Except [Accept] of the congratulations on this happy[unclear: count]

Dear Sir 

your obt sert [obedient servant] 

[Signed] Benjamin Hawkins 

Govr. [Governor] Early

[page 2]

Letter from Colo. [Colonel] Benjamin Hawkinsdated 26th. February 1815 

Indian Affairs 

1815 -- 

Answer written 13th. March 1815.

[page 3]

Creek Agency 
March 7 
15

His Excellency

Governor Early

Millidgeville 

By Lt. Lewisof the Spies

Recd. [Received] 8. March

Questions

1. How does the [image of the council](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/498) between William Henry Harrison and Native American leaders help us to understand the differences between the Native American peoples who resided in the “Old Northwest” and the increasing number of white American settlers? Describe Tecumseh’s steps after this fateful gathering.
2. Using the items in this set, describe the importance of transatlantic trade to the young United States. How were the steps of Great Britain before the War of 1812 negatively impacting both the US and British trade interests?
3. In the [American declaration of war](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/502), which governmental body declares war on Great Britain? Who is the affirming President? Who is Speaker of the House of Representatives?
4. What does the [image of Fort George](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/503) show us about the proximity of the US and British-Canadian forces? What can you suppose about pre- and post-war relations between these two sides?
5. Use the [“Naval Heroes” image](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/504) and the [1813 poem](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/505) to describe the country's view of Oliver Hazard Perry. What did he do to earn this acclaim?
6. Use the [medallion](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/506) to help describe the Battle of the Thames. Why would a Kentucky governor be on the flip side of the coin?
7. Use the [1816 description of the Battle of Baltimore](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/507) and the [sheet music to “The Star Spangled Banner”](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/508) to describe what happened in the Battle of Baltimore and why it received accolades in song.
8. Given the [1816 description of the Battle of New Orleans](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/507), [Andrew Jackson’s account](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/509), and the [image of the *Constitution*](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/510), explain how the tide turned towards the end of the war.
9. What does the [letter from Benjamin Hawkins](http://dp.la/primary-source-sets/the-war-of-1812/sources/511) tell us about the steps taken to announce the end of the war?


Activity

Using the sources, students should create a news segment on the War of 1812. Students should report in from the various battle sites covered in the documents. Additionally, a special report should be given on relations with Native Americans. Other segments may include updates on new music and poetry. Finally, a panel should give commentary on the lasting outcome of the War and its impact on the United States, Great Britain, Canada, and Native Americans. Tasks will need to be assigned, research done, scripts written, storyboards created, and, finally, presented (perhaps videotaped and then presented).

Teaching Guide: Exploring the War of 1812

Resources

1. [Military Resources: War of 1812](https://www.archives.gov/research/military/war-of-1812/), National Archives and Records Administration. 
2. [The War of 1812](http://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/the-war-of-1812.aspx), National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution. 
3. [A Guide to the War of 1812](https://www.loc.gov/rr/program/bib/1812/), Library of Congress. 
4. [The War of 1812 in the Collections of the Lilly Library](http://collections.libraries.indiana.edu/warof1812/), Indiana University Bloomington. 

Overview

The War of 1812, a war between the United States and Great Britain, took place between 1812 and 1814. Ending effectively in a draw with relatively few casualties, the war is sometimes barely mentioned in US history courses and sometimes omitted from British history courses. However, in many ways, this conflict formally established independence from Great Britain for the United States. It is celebrated as the origin of Canada’s nationhood. For many Native American nations, it marked an end to thousands of years of sovereign habitation of the North American continent east of the Mississippi. With its causes rooted in trade disputes and internal conflicts, its epic battles remembered in poems and song, and its outcome resulting in a new American nationalism, the War of 1812 holds many compelling storylines. These include conflicts in the West, relationships between Native Americans and white Americans, and pivotal battles of Baltimore and New Orleans. With the sources in this set, together with prior knowledge, students can fill in the timeline of this crucial war and begin to answer the question, “Why do we care about the War of 1812?”

English

The War of 1812

war-of-1812_09_7f587c9d9bae30734dfc514fdb0faf34.jpg

Courtesy of University of Kentucky via Kentucky Digital Library.

“Medallion: ‘Battle of the Thames. Octo. 5, 1813. Resolution of Congress April 4, 1818. Furst, F.’,” Digital Public Library of America, https://dp.la/item/10a25d1c62abfbe1ad47bd625c7b5f7b.

A medallion commemorating the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813.

Cite this item

Tips for Students

Item 9 of 14 in the Primary Source Set The War of 1812