The War of 1812 Quiz

During the early 1800s, the United States was a new country, forging its own path in the world. The people of the United States had just fought and won their independence from Great Britain. The former colonies were working hard to create a government and economy that could survive and thrive. However, the new government faced many challenges at home and abroad. Which state was not part of the Northwest Territory?

• Illinois

• Indiana

• Pennsylvania

• Wisconsin

At home, relations between the American Indian tribes of the Northwest Territory and the United States, including its settlers, were turning violent. This territory included present-day Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, and Wisconsin. The tribes of this area were competing for valuable natural resources with settlers. These resources included land to grow food and hunt. Some tribes had been forced off their lands to the east and had to settle in Ohio. The violence turned into an open war in 1790 in the Northwest Territory. The Odawa, Shawnee, Ojibway, Potawatomi, Delaware, Miami, and other tribes banded together to fight against the United States taking over their lands. This was called the Northwest War or Little Turtle’s War. Little Turtle was a Miami war chief. The United States suffered two great defeats in this war in 1790 and 1791. The Greenville Treaty of 1795 ended the __________.

• War of Independence from France

• Northwest War/Little Turtle’s War

• French and Indian War

• American Revolution

After the American Revolution, Great Britain still maintained a powerful empire, despite losing the war with the United States. Tensions were at an all-time high between Great Britain and France at this time. In 1803, the United States purchased the Louisiana Territory from France for $15 million. This expanded the United States by 828,000 square miles. As a result, the United States gained control of the Mississippi River and important trading posts along its banks. Following the Louisiana Purchase, France declared war on Great Britain. The United States wished to remain neutral during the war between Great Britain and France. Both countries wanted the support of the U.S. government. In order to maintain neutrality, Congress passed the Embargo Act in 1807. An embargo is an order to stop ships from delivering goods. The law stated that goods couldn't be shipped to any foreign port. The United States hoped that both France and Great Britain would be devastated without American supplies. Unfortunately, the Embargo Act backfired. Great Britain and France survived without U.S. goods and were able to buy needed supplies and goods from other countries. The U.S. economy, on the other hand, suffered greatly due to the act. By keeping our supply of goods from meeting the demand in European markets, our industries were hurt and the economy declined because fewer people were buying U.S. goods. President Thomas Jefferson repealed the Embargo Act before leaving office in March 1809. With conflict and uncertainty all around, the United States had a lot of work to do before it would become the country we live in today. What was the purpose of the Embargo Act?

• to prevent immigrants from coming to the United States

• to stop European countries from creating new colonies

• to stop goods from being shipped to any foreign port

• to prevent trade between Great Britain and France

Who was elected president of the United States in 1808?

• Andrew Jackson

• Henry Clay

• James Madison

• Thomas Jefferson

In the early 1800s, the British captured U.S. sailors and forced them to serve in the British Navy. This is known as _________________.

• drafting

• embargo

• impressment

• indenturing

What was the name given to the members of Congress who supported going to war with Great Britain?

• War Owls

• War Eagles

• War Robins

• War Hawks