the war of 1812 and the battle of lake erie causes of the war impressment of american sailors by the...

The War of 1812

and the Battle of Lake Erie

Causes of the War

• Impressment of American sailors by the British

• Blockades that hurt the U.S. economy

• Conflict over westward expansion and British support of the Native Americans like Tecumseh

War or Not?

• War Hawks from the South and West wanted to go to war

• New England opposed the war• War is declared June 18, 1812*

Key Battles

• September 10,1813 The Battle of Lake Erie- Oliver hazard Perry boards the Niagara and defeats the British

• October 5, 1813 At Thames, the U.S. defeats the British and Tecumseh is killed

• Jan 8, 1815 Americans defeat the British at New Orleans*

Results of the War

• Britain gives up hope of conquering North America

• Organized Native American resistance ends

• Industry advances in the U.S.• Increased American self-confidence

The Battle of Lake Erie

• The Niagara

The Fleet and the Bay

• Six ships were built: Scorpion, Porcupine, Tigress Ariel, Lawrence and Niagara

• The Bay was chosen because: it offered protection and there was a lot of good lumber available

The Fleet and the Bay

• Camels were used to transport the larger ships across the sand bar

• Daniel Dobbins was the chief builder of the fleet

The Battle

• Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry was in charge of the fleet

• He encountered the British on Sep 10, 1813 in Lake Erie

• The British had 6 ships, America had 9

• The Lawrence was damaged so Perry boarded the Niagara

The Battle (continued)

• A wind shift helped Perry “cross the T” and destroy two British ships

• The U.S. wins• Importance: left U.S. in control of Lake Erie and made it hard for Britain to move supplies

The Niagara

• Crew of 155• Each cannon manned by 7 people• Between 25-40% of the fleet’s crew were African American

• Distinction between officers and crew

• Ships had to tack, zig-zag sale• Perry received a $12,140 prize