War between the U.S. and England that was caused by the failure of the U.S. to convince Britain to stop restricting Franco-American trade, the impressment of American seamen, and the seizure of American merchant ships. 

At first the U.S. tried to force a change in British policy by restricting trade, but after 1810 an increasing number of anti-British war hawks demanded war to protect American shipping and to defend American honor. War hawks in Congress declared  war on the British, and American forces unsuccessfully moved to conquer Canada.

By 1814, the British, especially after the defeat of Napoleon, launched invasions from the Great Lakes, the Chesapeake Bay, and at New Orleans. 

The Canadian based invasion stalled after American victories on the Great Lakes. More successful in the Chesapeake, the British army sacked Washington, D.C. and Baltimore, but were unable to take the garrison at Baltimore Harbor, giving inspiration to Francis Scott Key to write the national anthem. At the Battle of New Orleans, American regulars, volunteers, and western militia under Major General Andrew Jackson defeated the British troops led by Sir Edward Parkenham, the most severe defeat suffered by the British during the war. Ironically, the Battle of New Orleans, which was fought on January 8, 1815, occurred two weeks after peace had been negotiated on December 24, 1814. 

Neither England nor America emerged from the war with a clear victory. Both nations agreed to restore any conquered territory. The issue of American shipping was left unsettled, although England stopped menacing U.S. maritime shipping once the war with France had ended.
 
 

1792-1814   France and Britain at war. 
1803-1812   British captains impress more than ten thousand American sailors to serve on British ships. 
1807 June - Three Americans are killed and eighteen wounded when the USS Chesapeake refuses to be boarded and is fired upon by the British Leopard.
1809 March 4 - James Madison is inaugurated President. 
1810 War Hawks Clay, Calhoun and others are elected to Congress. 
1811 November 4 - War Congress convenes.  November 7 - Harrison's army is attacked by the Prophet, Tecumseh's brother, at the Battle of Tippecanoe.

* Madison is re-elected. 
* U.S. attempts three invasions of Canada, all unsuccessful. 
* British Guerriere loses to USS Constitution. More British ships captured or burned by privateers. 

April  The U.S. burns Toronto and takes control of the Great Lakes at the Battle of York 
June 18 - President Madison, pressured by War Hawks, asks Congress for declaration of war.  With all Federalists opposing it, Congress declares "Mr. Madison's War." 
August 15 - Massacre at Fort Dearborn. 
August 16 - British capture Detroit.
September - British naval attack is repulsed by Captain Perry at the Battle of Lake Erie. 
October - Northwestern Indians are weakened and Tecumseh is killed in a U.S. victory at the Battle of Thames. 
November - South Carolina and Georgia blockaded by British. 
November 23 - American forces withdraw from eastern Canada. 
November 27 - American forces attack Fort Erie. 
December 26 - Chesapeake and Delaware Bays blockaded by British. 

April 15 - American forces occupy portions of Western Florida. 
April 27 - Battle of York. 
May 26 - British blockade extended to additional southern and mid Atlantic states. 
May 27 - Battle of Fort George. 
May 29 - Battle of Sacket's Harbor. 
June 5 - Battle of Stoney Creek. 
June 22 - Battle of Norfolk. 
June 24 - Battle of Beaver Dams. 
June 26 - British attack Hampton. 
July 27 - Battle of Burnt Corn. 
August 2 - Battle of Fort Stephenson. 
August 30 - Battle of Fort Mims. 
September 10 - Battle of Lake Erie. 
October 5 - Battle of the Thames. 
October 16-19 - Battle of Leipzig. 
October 26 - Battle of Chateaugay. 
November 3 - Battle of Tallushatchee. 
November 4 - England offers direct peace negotiations to the United States. 
November 9 - Battle of Talladega. 
November 11 - Battle of Chrysler's Farm. 
November 16 - British blockade extended to all southern and mid Atlantic states. 
December 10 - American forces withdraw from Fort George and burn Newark. 
December 17 - Embargo adopted by the United States.
December 18 - Fort Niagara captured by the British.  British forces destroy Lewiston and neighboring towns. 

British undertake a three-part invasion of the United States at Chesapeake Bay, Lake Champlain and the mouth of the Mississippi River. British troops are repulsed at Baltimore harbor after capturing Washington and burning the Capitol buildings. 

 March - British-French war ends with British victory.  Britain can now concentrate on the war with the United States. 
March 27-28 - The Creek Indians are defeated by Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend 
April 25 - British blockade extended to New England. 
July-September - Eastern Maine occupied by British forces. 
July 3 - Americans capture Fort Erie. 
July 5 - Battle of Chippewa. 
July 25 - Battle of Lundy's Lane. 
August - American public credit collapses.  Banks suspend specie payments. 
August 8 - Peace negotiations begin in Ghent with the British outlining initial peace terms. 
August 9 - The United States and Creek Indians sign the Treaty of Fort Jackson. 
August 14 - British forces occupy Pensacola. 
August 15 - Battle of Fort Erie. 
August 24 - Battle of Bladensburg. 
August 24-25 - Washington, DC burned by British forces. First Lady, Dolly MADISON, saves White House treasures. 
August 28 - Nantucket declares neutrality. 
September 11 - Battle of Lake Champlain.  American victory over a larger British force at the Battle of Plattsburgh secures the U.S. northern border. 
September 12 - Battle of Mobile Bay. Battle of North Point. 
September 13-14 - Battle of Baltimore. 
The Star Spangled Banner is written by Francis Scott KEY. 
September 17 - American forces sortie from Fort Erie. 
September 26 - General Armstrong captured by British. 
November 5 - Fort Erie evacuated by American forces. 
November 7 - American forces occupy Pensacola. 
December 23-January 1 - Preliminary battles at New Orleans. 
December 24 - British and American diplomats sign the Treaty of Ghent.

January 8 - Andrew JACKSON defeats the British at the Battle of New Orleans after the war was officially over. 
February 11 - Treaty of Ghent reached the United States. 
February 16 - Treaty of Ghent is approved by the U.S. Senate and President Madison. 
February 17 - War of 1812 ends as the United States and Britain  exchange ratifications.