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