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James Madison was elected in 1808 to succeed Jefferson.  But Madison was a bit of an egghead, one of the few presidents who did not serve in war as others his age had.  Madison was in over his head as a president.  Madison was a thinker, not a commander-in-chief.  England was still the most powerful country in the world, and not someone to pick a fight with, regardless of what a professor type might think.   

James Madison was elected in 1808 to succeed Jefferson.  But Madison was a bit of an egghead, one of the few presidents who did not serve in war as others his age had.  Madison was in over his head as a president.  Madison was a thinker, not a commander-in-chief.  England was still the most powerful country in the world, and not someone to pick a fight with, regardless of what a professor type might think.   

England was still in Canada and some "War Hawks" in Congress (particularly Henry Clay) accused it of inciting Indian attacks against us.  England was also harassing American sailors and impressing them.  Adding insult to injury, England invaded D.C. itself and burned down the Capitol and the White House.  President Madison was befuddled and almost helpless.  It took his wife Dolly to show some initiative and at least save the portrait of George Washington as they fled the White House from the fires set by the British.  

England was still in Canada and some "War Hawks" in Congress (lead by Henry Clay) accused it of inciting Indian attacks against the United States.  A Shawnee Indian named Tecumseh began to unite many of the tribes, and American settlers were terrified.  It was believed that the British were arming the Indians and encouraging them to attack.  In 1811, General Harrison attacked Tecumseh's village.  Of course, this only heightened tension between the Indians and settlers.

In 1814, in the harbor at Baltimore, a battle was fought at Fort McHenry, during which the British shelled the American fortress.  An amateur poet named Francis Scott Key was detained during the battle and put his idle time to good use.  He penned the Star-Spangled Banner in honor of how the American flag continued to fly throughout the bombardment.  In 1931, over 100 years later, it became the official National Anthem.

Meanwhile, England was also harassing American sailors and impressing them.  Adding insult to injury, England invaded D.C. itself and burned down the Capitol and the White House.  President Madison was befuddled and almost helpless.  His wife Dolly at least showed some intelligence and initiative by saving the portrait of George Washington as they fled the White House.  The British sacked the entire city.

Despite thrashing the United States in battle, England did not want to continue fighting.  So on Christmas Eve, England agreed to end the war with the Treaty of Ghent, and the U.S. did not have to give back any land.  It arranged for a long, open Canadian-U.S. border that remains to this day.  Sometimes the [[War of 1812]] is called the Second Revolutionary War because it finished off disputes lingering from the first war.  Madison is blamed by historians for even allowing this war to happen in the first place.

In 1814, in the harbor at Baltimore, a battle was fought at Fort McHenry, during which the British shelled the American fortress.  An amateur poet named Francis Scott Key was detained during the battle and put his idle time to good use.  He penned the Star-Spangled Banner in honor of how the American flag continued to fly throughout the bombardment.  The word were immediately set to music, and became immensely popular.  In 1931, over 100 years later, it became the official National Anthem.

But news of the peace treaty traveled slowly in those days, and on Jan. 8, 1815, the British assaulted General Andrew Jackson's troops down in New Orleans.  Jackson hated the British ever since he was a teenager, when a British soldier ordered Jackson to shine the soldier's shoes in a complete humiliation to Jackson.  Jackson refused and the soldier took out his sword and smacked Jackson across his face, leaving a scar for life on Jackson's face.  Jackson would never forget where that scar came from.

 

But news of the peace treaties traveled slowly in those days, and on Jan. 8, 1815, the British assaulted General Andrew Jackson's troops down in New Orleans.  Jackson had hated the British ever since he was a teenager, when a British soldier ordered Jackson to shine the soldier's shoes in a complete humiliation to Jackson.  Jackson refused and the soldier took out his sword and smacked Jackson across his face, leaving a scar he bore for the rest of his life.  Jackson would never forget where that scar came from.

Jackson had settled in Tennessee where there were many woodsmen and hunters.  The Americans in Tennessee and Kentucky had rifles and were very good with them.  They were expert marksmen.  People in Tennessee also volunteer for military service in huge percentages, giving it the nickname the "Volunteer State" that it still uses to this day.  Jackson called on these marksmen to help him in New Orleans against the British, and the residents of Tennessee and Kentucky answered his call.  They rallied to Jackson's United States army.

Jackson had settled in Tennessee where there were many woodsmen and hunters.  The Americans in Tennessee and Kentucky had rifles and were very good with them.  They were expert marksmen.  People in Tennessee also volunteer for military service in huge percentages, giving it the nickname the "Volunteer State" that it still uses to this day.  Jackson called on these marksmen to help him in New Orleans against the British, and the residents of Tennessee and Kentucky answered his call.  They rallied to Jackson's United States army.

Jackson led his group of marksmen down to New Orleans to settle his nation's score against the British, and perhaps settle Jackson's personal grudge against them also.  Great Britain was the mightiest nation in the world and her soldiers were confident they could charge and destroy the ragtag American army.   

Jackson led his group of marksmen down to New Orleans to settle his nation's score against the British, and perhaps to settle his personal grudges against them as well.  Great Britain was the mightiest nation in the world and her soldiers were confident they could charge and destroy the rag-tag American army.   

The British soldiers began an all-out charge against the American troops led by Jackson, but the Americans were ready for them.  The British were no match for the marksmen from Tennessee and Kentucky, who used their own rifles to completely mow down and completely destroy the charging British in this Battle of New Orleans.  Jackson became an overnight hero to the entire country for destroying the British there.  This was the finest and most one-sided victory the young nation had enjoyed until then.

The British soldiers began an all-out charge against the American troops led by Jackson, but the Americans were ready for them.  The British were no match for the marksmen from Tennessee and Kentucky, who used their own rifles to mow down and completely destroy the charging British in the Battle of New Orleans.  Jackson became an overnight hero to the entire country for destroying the British there.  This was the finest and most distinct victory the young nation had enjoyed up to that time.

The battles with Indians also created a war hero.  William Henry Harrison had defeated the Indians at Tippecanoe Creek several years earlier, in November 1811.  Then Harrison destroyed Indian confederacy in Ohio.  But Jackson was a bigger hero for defeating the British.  Years later, first Jackson would become president based in his popularity as a hero, and then later Harrison would also be elected president.

The battles with Indians also created a war hero.  William Henry Harrison had defeated the Indians at Tippecanoe Creek several years earlier, in November 1811.  Then Harrison destroyed Indian confederacy in Ohio.  But Jackson was a bigger hero for defeating the British.  Years later, first Jackson would become president based in his popularity as a hero, and then later Harrison would also be elected president.