The War of 1812 is somewhat a forgotten war in American history. However, it is integral to the early years of the modern United States and is sometimes called the second part of the War for Independence. This map set was created so that teachers could cover the causes and legacy of the war in a few lessons using primary sources and inquiry. 

There are four lessons. Each is centered around one map and an essential question. The idea is to explore the map in a detailed way to build map reading skills, practice gathering evidence from a primary source, and as a provocative centerpiece to discuss the War of 1812 using the questions provided. 

Each lesson begins by using a VTS style of questioning to explore the maps. The purpose of this open-ended exercise is to encourage free exploration. Sometimes when students are asked questions they seek out only the elements of the source that answer the question and ignore that which they have not been asked about. More information about Visual thinking Strategies can be found at  https://vtshome.org/

The map set aims to build historical thinking and map reading skills. In each section, the relevant skill is marked in bold to highlight where students are actively participating in their learning and building skills. Skills include foundational actions such as looking through to the more complex processes of reflecting and discussing.


This map set was created by Jodie Smith, Independent Museum Education Professional

Students will practice map reading and evidence-based discussion skills while learning the causes and legacy of the War of 1812 from the perspective of the United States.

What was the state of the United States in the early 1800s?
What were the causes of the War of 1812?
Why is the War of 1812 important today? 

2018 HISTORY AND SOCIAL SCIENCE FRAMEWORK
Grade 5 Content Standards
Topic 4. The growth of the Republic [5.T4]
Supporting Question: How did events of the early Republic test the newly-founded United States?
3. Describe the causes of the War of 1812 and how events during the war contributed to a sense of American nationalism. a. British restrictions on trade and impressment b. Major battles and events of the war, including the role of the USS Constitution, the burning of the Capitol and the White House, and the Battle of New Orleans.
United States History I
Topic 2. Democratization and expansion [USI.T2]
Supporting Question: How was the balance of Federal and state authority tested in the early Republic?
3. Analyze the causes and long and short term consequences of America’s westward expansion from 1800 to 1854 (e.g., the Louisiana Purchase, the War of 1812, growing diplomatic assertiveness after the Monroe Doctrine of 1823; the concept of Manifest Destiny and pan-Indian resistance, the establishment of slave states and free states in the West, the acquisition of Texas and the Southwestern territories as a consequence of the Mexican-American War in 1846–48, the California Gold Rush, and the rapid rise of Chinese immigration in California).

Students look closely at a map to understand the geographic and political state of North America and the United States in the early 1800s.
Students understand that the political borders and governance of the United States and North America were different in the early 1800s.
Students identify the perspective, point of view, or intention behind the map's creation and consider biases that may exist. 

What was the state of the United States and North America in the early 1800s?

Colonize - To start a settlement in a new country or continent sometimes where a settlement already exists.
Occupy - To live in or inhabit. 

Students use the features of a map to understand and discuss the westward expansion of the United States and the resulting conflicts with Native nations.
Students use the features of a map to understand and discuss the geographic and political causes of the War of 1812.
Students identify and discuss how these events contributed to building identity and a sense of nationalism within the young United States.  
Students recognize that historical events are intersectional, ie: Native history and the War of 1812 with Britain.  

What were the causes of the War of 1812 in the west? 

Cartouche - An area on a map made up of a decorative drawing and some of the map's details. 

The Euro-American settlers long suspected that the British were supporting the Native peoples.

Source: Report of Brigadier General Scott at a village in 1791.
American State Papers, 2nd Congress, 1st Session."The Wabash Indians", Indian Affairs: Volume 1. p.131.
URL: https://memory.loc.gov/cgi-bin/ampage?collId=llsp&fileName=007/llsp007.db&recNum=132

According to author John Dunn Hunter, well-known and outspoken Shawnee chief, Tecumseh, made a speech in 1811 to the Osages people: 

Source: John  Dunn Hunter "Memoirs of a Captivity Among the Indians of North America, from childhood to nineteen. 1824. p.44-48.
URL: https://books.google.com/books?id=mBwTAAAAYAAJ&dq=John+Dunn+Hunter+memoirs+of+captivity&source=gbs_navlinks_s

Students use the features of the map to understand and discuss the geographic, political and economic causes of the War of 1812.
Students understand the prevalence of seafaring on the east coast at the time compared with other modes of transport and business. 
Students use the features of the map to explain how the causes of the war are different in different geographic locations. 
Students recognize that there were multiple causes and perspectives of the war, and are able to develop and articulate their own position.

What were the causes of the War of 1812 in the east? 

Vocabulary
Embargo - To stop trading with a particular country or trading a particular item. 
Neutral - To remain in the middle and not take a side in a conflict. 
Merchant - A person who sells or trades goods. 

Following the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair, President Thomas Jefferson said, 

In 1807, he signed into law an embargo against France and Britain. By stopping trade with these nations,  he hoped to send a message that the United States would not be bullied and would not be caught up in their war but remain neutral. 

Some people thought the embargo was a way to send a message without going to war. Merchants in port cities, like Boston, were unable to trade with Europe and suffered financially. 

Vocabulary
Embargo - To stop trading with a particular country or trading a particular item. 
Neutral - To remain in the middle and not take a side in a conflict. 
Merchant - A person who sells or trades goods. 

Students can explain the importance of the War of 1812 to the growth period in the early 1800s. 
Students can identify and explain the origin of things today that have their roots in the War of 1812. 

Why is the War of 1812 important today? 

Legacy - The reasons why someone or something is remembered.

The United States and Britain signed the Treaty of Ghent in December of 1814. The treaty was signed in Ghent in what is now Belgium in Europe meaning that the news did not immediately reach politicians and the military in North America, and it was not ratified by Congress until February. Consequently, one well-known battle; the Battle of New Orleans in January 1815, actually occurred after the treaty had been signed.

The signing of a treaty means that there was no victor in the war.

The United States claims that they won because they proved to the British that they could stand up for themselves and went on to expand their Navy and their nation.

The British (including Canada) claim they won because they expected to lose land as a result of an American invasion of Canada.


Discuss 
Who do you think won and lost the war? Explain why. 
What do you think is the importance of the war in American History?