The War of 1812 was a conflict between the United States and Great Britain that lasted from 1812 to 1815. Though it ended in a stalemate, the war had important consequences for the USA, including establishing American independence and confidence. As we reflect on this important period in history, let’s challenge ourselves with some riddles about the War of 1812!
Riddles About Causes & Beginning of the War
Riddle 1
British sailors often seized American ships and forced captured sailors into their navy. This controversial practice was called this:
Answer: Impressment
Riddle 2
Americans were unhappy with British restrictions on their trade with France during the Napoleonic Wars. This policy was known as:
Answer: Orders in Council
Riddle 3
In 1810, Shawnee leader Tecumseh and his brother began forming this alliance of Native American tribes to resist American expansion:
Answer: Tecumseh’s Confederation
Riddle 4
In 1811, General William Henry Harrison defeated Tecumseh’s forces at this battle, weakening the Native American alliance:
Answer: Battle of Tippecanoe
Riddle 5
On June 18, 1812, President James Madison signed this congressional declaration beginning the War of 1812:
Answer: Declaration of War
Riddles About Major Battles
Riddle 6
In August 1812, British Major General Isaac Brock captured Detroit without a fight from General William Hull at this battle:
Answer: Battle of Detroit
Riddle 7
On October 13, 1812, Captain Jesse Elliott forced the surrender of two British ships on Lake Erie at this naval battle:
Answer: Battle of Lake Erie
Riddle 8
In April 1813, American forces under Zebulon Pike unsuccessfully attacked this British fort near Toronto:
Answer: Battle of York
Riddle 9
On September 10, 1813, Oliver Hazard Perry led the Americans to victory over the British fleet on Lake Erie at this battle:
Answer: Battle of Lake Erie
Riddle 10
In October 1813, British ships bombarded Fort McHenry here, inspiring Francis Scott Key to write “The Star-Spangled Banner”:
Answer: Battle of Baltimore
Riddles About the War in the South
Riddle 11
In August 1814, British forces landed here, defeated American militia, and began marching to Washington D.C.:
Answer: Chesapeake Bay
Riddle 12
On August 24, 1814, British forces defeated Americans at this battle, paving the way to Washington D.C.:
Answer: Bladensburg
Riddle 13
British troops burned major buildings like the Capitol and White House here in 1814:
Answer: Washington D.C.
Riddle 14
On September 12-14, 1814, Americans fended off a British naval attack on this port city:
Answer: Baltimore
Riddle 15
In January 1815, Andrew Jackson’s forces decisively defeated the British at this Southern battle:
Answer: Battle of New Orleans
Riddles About the End of the War
Riddle 16
Negotiations to end the war began in this Belgian city in 1814:
Answer: Ghent
Riddle 17
The Treaty of Ghent ending the war was signed on this date in 1814:
Answer: December 24
Riddle 18
Despite the Treaty of Ghent, the last battle of the war took place on January 8, 1815 here:
Answer: New Orleans
Riddles About People
Riddle 19
This Federalist Party leader was one of the main congressional opponents (“War Hawks”) of the war:
Answer: Henry Clay
Riddle 20
This Kentucky frontiersman who became a Congressman in 1810 advocated for war against Britain:
Answer: Richard Mentor Johnson
Riddle 21
This Native American leader allied with the British during the war:
Answer: Tecumseh
Riddle 22
This Governor of Massachusetts strongly opposed the war:
Answer: Caleb Strong
Riddle 23
This Secretary of State under Madison resigned because he opposed the war:
Answer: James Monroe
Riddle 24
This Federalist newspaper editor was imprisoned for criticizing President Madison over the war:
Answer: Francis Scott Key
Riddles About Effects of the War
Riddle 25
The US economy struggled during the war because of disruptions like this embargo:
Answer: Embargo of 1807
Riddle 26
The US’s failure to conquer Canada led to this nickname for the war:
Answer: “Mr. Madison’s War”
Riddle 27
The Federalist party weakened after opposing this war:
Answer: War of 1812
Riddle 28
The US government took on this first fiscal deficit due to wartime borrowing:
Answer: National debt
Riddle 29
In 1816, Congress passed this legislation to strengthen US manufacturing:
Answer: Tariff of 1816
Riddle 30
This 1817 treaty with Britain agreed to demilitarize the Great Lakes:
Answer: Rush-Bagot Treaty
Riddles About Military
Riddle 31
This was the most common weapon used by American forces during the war:
Answer: Flintlock musket
Riddle 32
This rifle designed by John Hall became popular with American sharpshooters for its accuracy:
Answer: Hall rifle
Riddle 33
Most American naval victories were achieved with these relatively small but fast ships:
Answer: Frigates
Riddle 34
The British navy prevailed with ships like this powerful type of warship:
Answer: Ship-of-the-line
Riddle 35
American forces wore these close-fitting caps named after Christopher Columbus:
Answer: Cocked hats
Riddles About Interesting Facts
Riddle 36
This future American president served as a major general during the war:
Answer: Andrew Jackson
Riddle 37
This novel published in 1814 criticized the American conduct in the war:
Answer: The Hartford Convention
Riddle 38
Francis Scott Key wrote the poem Defence of Fort M’Henry which later became this patriotic song:
Answer: The Star-Spangled Banner
Riddle 39
This Prussian military officer served as a major general for the United States Army during the war:
Answer: Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben
Riddle 40
This future liberator of South America volunteered for the US Army but arrived after the war ended:
Answer: Simón Bolívar
Challenging Riddles About War of 1812
Riddle 41
I commanded British forces that burned Washington D.C. in 1814 – who am I?
Answer: Robert Ross
Riddle 42
I was a British Admiral who led the failed attack on Baltimore’s Fort McHenry – who am I?
Answer: Alexander Cochrane
Riddle 43
I was a Mohawk leader who fought for the British during the war – who am I?
Answer: John Norton
Riddle 44
I wrote a pamphlet in 1807 that first popularized the slogan “Free trade and sailors’ rights” – who am I?
Answer: William Duane
Riddle 45
I successfully defended Plattsburgh from British forces in 1814 – who am I?
Answer: Alexander Macomb
Very Challenging Riddles About War of 1812
Riddle 46
I was a Creek leader who allied with the British but was defeated by Andrew Jackson at the Battle of Horseshoe Bend – who am I?
Answer: William Weatherford (Red Eagle)
Riddle 47
I wrote the song “The Hunters of Kentucky” praising Andrew Jackson’s troops after the Battle of New Orleans – who am I?
Answer: Samuel Woodworth
Riddle 48
I was a British naval commander who unsuccessfully attacked Fort Bowyer near Mobile in 1814 – who am I?
Answer: William Percy
Riddle 49
I was the American agent who negotiated the Treaty of Ghent ending the war – who am I?
Answer: Albert Gallatin
Riddle 50
I was the last American revolutionary war veteran to serve in Congress during the War of 1812 – who am I?
Answer: John Sevier
Conclusion
Riddle 51
I was an American ship captain who won the first naval battle of the war on August 19, 1812 – who am I?
Answer: Isaac Hull
The War of 1812 was a pivotal moment in American history that tested the resolve of the young republic. While it may have technically ended in a draw, the war established American independence and bolstered nationalism. I hope these riddles challenged your knowledge of this important conflict. How many were you able to answer correctly?
