PBS
Pbs Learning Media: Primary Source Set: The War of 1812
A collection of primary sources that explore the War of 1812.
Smithsonian Institution
Smithsonian Institution: Star Spangled Banner and the War of 1812
This site discusses the history behind the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key, written during the War of 1812. Visitors can view an image of the actual American flag which flew over Fort McHenry during the Battle of Baltimore and...
Digital Public Library of America
Dpla: The War of 1812
With the sources in this set, together with prior knowledge, students can fill in the timeline of this crucial war and begin to answer the question, "Why do we care about the War of 1812?"
US Army Center
U.s. Army Center of Military History: The War of 1812
A history of the War of 1812, from U.S Army historians. This comprehensive site details the full scope of the war, examining its origins, the opposing sides, early campaigns, strategic intent, the course of the war during its second and...
University of Florida
Baldwin Library: Stories of the War of 1812
A scanned copy of the 1852 publication of Stories of the War of 1812, a nonfiction book for children.
Yale University
Avalon Project: Declaration of War by Us Senate and House, June 18, 1812
Text of the declaration of war which brought the United States into the War of 1812.
Other
Gala Film: Memoirs of Jarvis Hanks: The Siege of Fort Erie
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.
PublicBookshelf Corporation
Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry: War of 1812
An excerpt from Volume III of "The Great Republic by the Master Historians," this one written by Theodore Roosevelt. It details Oliver Hazard Perry's victory in the Battle of Lake Erie.
PBS
Pbs: Aia: William Scarborough: Why Were the Native Americans Removed?
A discussion by Dr. William Scarborough about the migration into Alabama and Mississippi after the War of 1812. Whites not only displaced the Indians, but also eventually brought in thousands of slaves.
War Times Journal
War Times Journal: Recollections of Marshal Macdonald
A series of writings written by a French military leader who served under Napoleon during the Napoleonic Wars. He gives an honest evaluation of what happened in Napoleon's famous invasion of Russia in 1812.
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: James Madison
Included are James Madison's two inaugural addresses, his State of the Nation speeches, as well as other writings related to the Constitution. Of particular interest is his speech of 1812.
Other
Common Sense Americanism: Treaty of Ghent
This page briefly summarizes the causes of the War of 1812 and the text of the treaty which ended it. Links to a few significant names.
University of Chicago
History of New Orleans: The Battle of New Orleans
This is a chapter from the John Kendall book the "History of New Orleans" that looks at the Battle of New Orleans, one of the last combats between the British and Americans during the War of 1812. It is advanced in content and style,...
Yale University
Avalon Project: Amendments Proposed by Hartford Convention
This is the text of the constitutional amendments proposed by the Hartford Convention in 1814, trying to get the federal government to give control of militias to the states and recognize other New England interests.
US National Archives
Our Documents: Treaty of Ghent (1814)
Access a full-page scan of a page from the 1814 Treaty of Ghent, a transcription, and background information on its significance.
University of Groningen
American History: Presidents: Thomas Jefferson
Included here are Thomas Jefferson's two inaugural addresses and his State of the Nation speeches. You can follow Jefferson's increased distress concerning the young nation's treatment by European nations. Fascinating reading.
Other
Gala Film: Salaberry's Letter to His Father
The leader of the Canadian (British) forces at the Battle of Chateauguay describes the battle and its outcome in a letter to his father.
Other
Exchange Club: Jackson's Letter Describing the Battle of New Orleans
A letter from General Andrew Jackson concerning the condition and position of his troops and of the enemy nearing the end of the Battle of New Orleans.
Other
The Dolley Madison Page: The Burning of Washington
Some brief biographical information is given here plus an excerpt from a letter written by Dolley Madison to her sister.