Both Britain and France were
interfering with American trade and were taking American
ships.
The United States believed that Britain still
not treating it as an independent country, and was
actually providing Native Americans with guns to attack
American settlers.
The United States also wanted to take Canada from
Britain, and Florida from Spain.
These ongoing disputes led to the War of 1812.
The Battle of Lake Erie (Source: Library
of Congress)
The United States attempted
to invade Canada, but failed. The British captured and
burned Washington, D.C.. The British also attempted to
invade the United States from Canada, but failed. This
picture shows Captain Oliver Perry's victory at the
Battle of Lake Erie (Source: Library of Congress).
Commander
Andrew Jackson defeated the British when they tried to
invade New Orleans.
A peace treaty
was finally signed in December of 1814. The British
agreed to recognize the United States country boundaries.
In addition, the United States had established itself as
a powerful military force.
