The Forgotten War: The War Of 1812

The United States declared its independence from Great Britain in 1776 and in 1783 that independence was given. America then elected their first president, George Washington, in 1789. Later in 1793 a war broke out between Britain and France. The United States was worried about this war because it could hurt them. Both, Britain and France, thought that American ships were supplying the other nation with food, weapons and other supplies. To check this out Britain and France would stop the American ships and search them. Most of the times when this happened the search would end in violence. To show they meant business, Britain passed the Orders in Council which restricted American shipping, to get back at Britain, Congress then passed the Embargo Act which cut off all trade with Britain. Britain had hoped that it was punishing France and the United States, but in truth it only hurt the United States and itself.
The War of 1812 has been called, “The Forgotten War” and “The Second Revolutionary War.” This war
General Hull was leading an army of soldiers, but instead of firing a shot he surrendered to the British. It can be sure that his men and others who heard of this action were not happy with General Hull. One of the next battles turned out better for the United States because Captain Decatur captured a British war ship. This happened the same year when James Madison was elected to his second term as president. The Battle of Lake Erie was another win for America. Captain Perry led a fleet of eleven ships against a British fleet of six on Lake Erie. It took only eight minutes for the British ships to fly their white flags of surrender. Captain Perry had won another victory for America and the first-time an entire British fleet had been captured. With Lake Erie under control of the United States this meant that British could no longer get supplies or deliver supplies to their