Notes

The War Of 1812
also known as "The Second War For Independence"
was between the United Sates and England.

British interference with American trade, impressment of American seamen for West expansion lead to the US declaring war in June 18 of 1812. The attacks on the American trade ships crippled the US economy and made both government and citizens mad.
Both president Madison and congress agreed the war was necessary.
The first battle started on the borders of Canada, both as an effort to gain land and to cut off British supply lines. The American armies were badly outmatched and were pushed back out of Canada. In fact if it wasn't for the victories of Lake Erie and Lake Champlain the United States could have faced a serious invasion from the north.

In 1814 British troops managed to defeat US forces under General William Winder and march to the city of Washington. The city was evacuated and the British burned down the capitol and the White House. The British forces kept on pushing inwards but were stalled when their General Ross got killed.

The war was getting tougher than either side expected and the British being caught up in their own wars in their homeland were looking for a way to get out. In the city of Ghent, American negotiators, including John Quincy Adams and Henry Clay, met with British diplomats. The war was successfully ended by the US signing the Treaty Of Ghent in December 25, 1814.

However, it was not until January 8, 1815, at the Battle of New Orleans, that the last battle was fought.

The war of 1812 was justified because it reinforced the US as an independent nation to the world.