The British Are Coming, Again!

1. The British Are Coming, Again! You are going to explore the events leading to the War of 1812, problems the Americans and the British encountered during the war, and effects on both countries after the war, including an increased sense of nationalism, which led to a more stable United States of America. 

2. Vocabulary • Nationalism:  devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation • Anthem- A national song that fosters a sense of patriotism and national identity • Ramparts – protective walls of a fort • Frontier – land west of the Appalachian Mountains

3. Can you guess what year the War of 1812 was fought in?

4. Let’s Review… • What was the outcome of the Revolutionary War? • The United States won its freedom from Great Britain, developed an official US military, and gained the land between the Appalachian Mountains to the Mississippi River (except Florida, which was controlled by Spain.)   • The Revolutionary War was not the last war between the United States and Britain.

6. Read the following… • “Moving Toward War,” “The War of 1812,” and “Battle of New Orleans” on pages 381-384 in the Social Studies textbook.

7. Videos • War of 1812 • More War of 1812 • War of 1812 • Star Spangled Banner • 1950’s Videos • http://www.havefunwithhistory.com/movies/1812Overview.html

8. Causes of the War 1812 • The causes of the War of 1812 centered around British restrictions on trade, the “kidnapping” of US sailors into the British Navy, and control of land (including problems with the American Indians on the western frontier - land west of the Appalachian Mountains- who were helped by the British. • In some ways this war was a continuation of the fighting during the American Revolution 25 years earlier.

9. The War of 1812 is remembered for dramatic battles at sea. • Americans actually won a sea battle involving the U.S. Constitution or "Old Ironsides" and the British warship, the "Guerrier." • Since the British were a superior naval power, this battle was a great victory for the Americans. • During an attempt to enter Baltimore Harbor for an invasion, a British warship bombarded Fort McHenry.  (The Battle of Baltimore.)

10. USS Constitution (Old Ironsides) • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQSBxQiLSyQ • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xMuTG08_xAE • USS Constitution

11. Francis Scott Key was inspired to compose a poem, “Defence of Fort McHenry”, as he watched the bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore Harbor. Key could hear the battle rage and see the fire from the cannons. He also saw the American flag that flew over the fort during the battle. The flag still waving over the fort after a night of bombardment was symbolic of how the “young” nation of the US (25 years old) could stand up against the powerful “old” nation of Great Britain. • The Battle of New Orleans lead by Andrew Jackson was another key victory leading to America winning the war.

12. Fort McHenry & Francis Scott Key

13. In the United States, a growing sense of nationalism was created as a result of the War of 1812. • The definition of nationalism:  the devotion to the interests or culture of one's nation. • Discuss what this means. • Do you think school pride is similar nationalism. • Discuss how a strong sense of nationalism can lead to a better balance within the country. • Francis Scott Key’s poem, “Defence of Fort McHenry”, was put to the music of a popular British song. “The Star-Spangled Banner” was not declared the official anthem of the United States until 1931, however.

14. Star Spangled Banner Oh, say can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming? Whose broad stripes and bright stars thru the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there. Oh, say does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

15. Star Spangled Banner • Great website for information on the Star Spangled Banner • Check out your social studies textbook on page 388. • Whitney Houston's version of the National Anthem (1991)

16. Homework • http://encyclopedia.kids.net.au/page/wa/War_of_1812 • http://www.kidskonnect.com/subjectindex/16-educational/history/285-war-of-1812.html Check out this website and bring your knowledge into social studies.

17. Now you know the story…. • Now play the game….. • http://amhistory.si.edu/starspangledbanner/ • http://mrnussbaum.com/war1812 • http://www.socialstudiesforkids.com/wwww/us/warof1812def.htm