Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Congress's First Declaration of War Under the Constitution

For Teachers 9th - 10th
The War of 1812 was the first war in which Congress used its power of declaring war. Using primary sources such as the Constitution and the War Manifesto of June 3, 1812, students will understand why and how Congress decided to declare...
Primary
Yale University

Avalon Project: Declaration of War by Us Senate and House, June 18, 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
Text of the declaration of war which brought the United States into the War of 1812.
eBook
OpenStax

Open Stax: The United States Goes Back to War

For Students 11th - 12th
By reading this section of a chapter on "The New Republic", students will be able to describe the causes and consequences of the War of 1812, identify the important events of the War of 1812, and explain their significance.
Website
Other

1000 Islands: Ogdensburg's Role in the War of 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
A very detailed account of this battle, explaining the military considerations that led up to it on both the American and British sides.
Lesson Plan
US National Archives

National Archives: Lesson Plans Congress, the President, and the War Powers

For Teachers 10th - 12th Standards
Examine the power of Congress to make war by studying primary source documents from various wars throughout U.S. history. Students will analyze how the balance of authority between the legislative branch and executive branch has changed...
Handout
University of Groningen

American History: Outlines: War of 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
As the country prepared for yet another war with Britain, the United States suffered from internal divisions. While the South and West favored war, New York and New England opposed it because it interfered with their commerce. The...
Article
US National Archives

Nara: Prologue Magazine: War of 1812: Stoking the Fires

For Students 9th - 10th
According to this very interesting article, it seems that the United States was just as culpable as Great Britain when it came to impressing sailors to serve on their ships. Read about the story of Charles Davis, a British citizen, who...
Handout
History of American Wars

History of American Wars: War of 1812 Timeline: Cause and Effect

For Students 9th - 10th
A timeline showing the events leading up to the War of 1812. It begins in 1793 with hostilities between the French and the British when the British overpowered American merchant ships that were trading with the French. It continues in a...
Article
Siteseen

Siteseen: American Historama: The War of 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
This article provides an overview and detailed facts and information on the War of 1812, the short war between the US and Great Britain that resulted in a stalemate.
Activity
Indiana University

Indiana University: The War of 1812

For Students 9th - 10th
This site examines the work of two early American political cartoonists, who first came to prominence during the War of 1812: William Charles and William Elmes.
Handout
University of Michigan

Walpole Island First Nation: The War of 1812 and Tecumseh

For Students 9th - 10th
This site describes the role that northern Indians, and particularly Tecumseh, played in the War of 1812. It also discusses Tecumseh's death and burials.
Website
Other

Kentucky Historical Society: Kentucky Military Treasures

For Students 9th - 10th
A collection of personal stories, illustrated with artifacts, documents, and photographs, that exemplifies the military experiences of Kentuckians in America's wars, beginning with the War of 1812. Requires Adobe Flash.
Website
Other

War of 1812: War of 1812 1814: Battle of the Raisen River

For Students 9th - 10th
An account of the events surrounding the Battle of Raisin River during the War of 1812.
Activity
Other

War of 1812 1814: Hartford Convention

For Students 9th - 10th
Brief description of the Hartford Convention, a meeting of Americans, primarily from New England, who opposed the War of 1812.
Website
Independence Hall Association

U.s. History: The Expanding Republic and the War of 1812

For Students 5th - 8th
A brief overview of the Jeffersonian Era up through the War of 1812.
Whiteboard
ClassFlow

Class Flow: The War of 1812

For Teachers 6th - 9th
[Free Registration/Login Required] This flipchart describes the War of 1812 from the first battle of the U.S.S. Constitution to the Battle of New Orleans. It includes paintings of the major battles and important participants, as well as...
Website
Digital History

Digital History: A Second War of Independence

For Students 9th - 10th
A brief explanation of the lead-up to the War of 1812. Find out who supported it and why.
Website
Other

The War of 1812: The Battle of New Orleans

For Students 1st - 9th
Highlights from the Battle of New Orleans and subsequent Treaty of Ghent through text and short video. [1:01]
Website
Digital History

Digital History: The War's Significance

For Students 9th - 10th
Find out why the War of 1812 was such a significant victory for the fledgling United States. See how it resulted in greater territory for expansion, and why it brought about the demise of the Federalists.
Unit Plan
Curated OER

National Park Service: Cast Your Vote 1812

For Students 3rd - 9th
It is May 1812. America is on the brink of war and President James Madison is encouraging you to listen to different perspectives of possible outcomes. What do you think of the issues- and the decision to go to war? Listen and read about...
Activity
Other

Gala Film: Battle of Queenston Heights

For Students 9th - 10th
Begin on this page, the overview, then check out each link to get a full picture of the events surrounding the Battle of Queenston Heights and the American surrender there. This is part of a documentary on the War of 1812.
Activity
Other

Gala Film: The Battle of Plattsburg Bay

For Students 9th - 10th
In this companion to a documentary on the War of 1812, click through all the links on this site to get a clear understanding of the Battle of Plattsburg Bay from both the British and American sides.
Primary
Other

Gala Film: Memoirs of Jarvis Hanks: The Siege of Fort Erie

For Students 9th - 10th
This account is written by a man who was a young American drummerboy at the siege of Fort Erie. He later wrote a memoir describing military life during the War of 1812.
Activity
Other

Gala Film: Background to the Battle of York

For Students 9th - 10th
Even though it was not handled well, the American victory in the Battle of York made significant differences in future events. Read this page and the pages directly linked to it to see why this is true. Part of a War of 1812 documentary.

Other popular searches