War of 1812

War of 1812 Website   Excellent information but very wordy.  Plenty of background for all you really high level reading comprehension folks!

Causes of the war.  Will also give info on effects.  Good overview.

PBS WebQuest Activity Nice web quest that takes you through insightful perspectives and good pics and some video.

Ideas to use for the essay:

· Use the fact that the Americans despised the British.  Remember the causes of the DOI? (Quartering act, Sugar Act, Stamp Act…)  1812 is not long after that.  Many people are concerned that the British will come back and try to take us over.  Americans did not like:

· Impressment

· Blockades   (PBS Video this is GREAT!)

· Occupation of the Ohio River Valley (see below)

Occupation of the Ohio River Valley  It is just like it sounds.  Here is the deal:

· The British soldiers never left this part of the Continent which is west of the original 13 Colonies.  (see your map on page 11 of the ISN)  This was because the Revolutionary war was only fought over the territory which comprised the original 13 Colonies.  According to the British, this area was not part of the War for Independence as it was not claimed by the Colonists. 

· In the early 1800s Americans wanted that land but could not move there because the British claimed it as British land.  This irked the Americans

· Native Americans:  Oh yeah...remember these guys? Native Americans were there first.  Oddly enough, Native Americans were sort of getting along with the British who were supplying them with European technology (guns and explosives most importantly) which was used against the Colonists (Americans) when they moved into the Ohio River Valley to claim land.  The Native Americans used British made and supplied weapons to attack Americans (Colonists) to drive them back out of the area.  This enraged the Americans because they wanted this land but were kept out by the British who were encouraging attacks by Native Americans onto Americans.  Supplying Native Americans with weapons was just another reason to hate the British.  The Revolutionary War and all of the events that caused it were still fresh in the minds of the Americans who had no shortage of hate for the British crown.