War of 1812 WEBQUEST

NOTE: If there is trouble linking to the websites, copies of the documents follow these questions.

Read the question. “Right click” on the link and “Open in New Window.”  You can then line the website alongside the question.  On your paper, hard copy, write the correct answer in the blank provided.

1. Look at the picture at the following website. This is an example of British impressment of American soldiers, which was a cause of the War of 1812. http://encarta.msn.com/media_461520729_761576510_-1_1/impressment_of_american_sailors.html

Write a definition of impressment, based on what you see in the picture?

2. What President asked Congress to declare war on Great Britain?

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html

3. This President is pictured in an editorial cartoon at the following link. (NOTE: “Brother Jonathan” is an early reference to the United States and “John Bull” is a reference to a British cartoon figure similar to our “Uncle Sam.”)

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b50000/3b52000/3b52600/3b52637r.jpg

Describe what you think is happening in this cartoon.

Do you think the cartoonist is American or British? Why?

4. With the exception of the Battle of New Orleans, in what area of the United States did most of the battles during the War of 1812 take place?

http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/maps/mhi/T014840A.gif

5. A famous quote from the War of 1812 was

“We have met the enemy and they are ours.”

Click on the following link and write who said this quote and why he said it.

http://encarta.msn.com/media_461538750/Commodore_Perry_War_of_1812.html

6. What major US city was attacked and burned during the War of 1812?

http://www.h-net.org/~dclist/graphics/warof1812.jpg

7. During the War of 1812, an important and well-known American song was written during the Battle of Fort McHenry. Here are three questions about this significant song.

http://www.si.edu/Encyclopedia_SI/nmah/starflag.htm

1. What song was written during the War of 1812?

2. Who was the composer of this song?

3. How many states were part of the United States at the time of the War of 1812?

8. An American ship that was important during the War of 1812 was the USS Constitution. Its nickname was “Old Ironsides.” Go to the following website and answer these two questions.

http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/collections/FAQ_nickname.htm

1. How did this ship get the nickname, “Old Ironsides?”

2. What building materials were used to construct “Old Ironsides?”

DOCUMENTS FOR WAR OF 1812 WEBQUEST

Document for Question #1

http://encarta.msn.com/media_461520729_761576510_-1_1/impressment_of_american_sailors.html

Document for Question #2

James Madison

At his inauguration, James Madison, a small, wizened man, appeared old and worn; Washington Irving described him as "but a withered little apple-John." But whatever his deficiencies in charm, Madison's buxom wife Dolley compensated for them with her warmth and gaiety. She was the toast of Washington.

The British impressment of American seamen and the seizure of cargoes impelled Madison to give in to the pressure. On June 1, 1812, he asked Congress to declare war.

The young Nation was not prepared to fight; its forces took a severe trouncing. The British entered Washington and set fire to the White House and the Capitol.

http://www.whitehouse.gov/history/presidents/jm4.html

Document for Question #3

http://memory.loc.gov/service/pnp/cph/3b50000/3b52000/3b52600/3b52637r.jpg

Document for Question #4

“Major Battles” http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/aencmed/targets/maps/mhi/T014840A.gif

Document for Question #5

Document for Question #6

“Burning of Washington D.C.”

http://www.h-net.org/~dclist/graphics/warof1812.jpg

Document for Question #7

Document for Question #8

http://www.ussconstitutionmuseum.org/collections/FAQ_nickname.htm