Why Baltimore?

OBJECTIVES:

The students will:

1. identify the reasons why the United States and Great Britain went to war in 1812.

2. explain why the British wanted to attack and destroy Baltimore.

MATERIALS: "Why Baltimore?" handout

ACTIVITIES:

1. Divide the class into cooperative groups and distribute the "Why Baltimore?" handout. Ask the students to generate a list of words that describe what Baltimore was like in the early 1800's. From this list, have the students decide if Baltimore was an important and valuable city for people who wanted to trade with other parts of the world. Have the groups create a chart with one part showing the reasons the United States was angry with Great Britain and the other part showing the reasons why Great Britain was angry with the United States. Using this chart for ideas, have the group pretend that they are speech writers for President Madison. They should write a speech to be delivered to Congress asking for a declaration of war on Great Britain. The chart will be used to provide evidence supporting this request.

2. Have the students explain how Baltimore came to be known as a "Nest of Pirates." Ask the students to pretend that they are British merchants. Have them write a letter to Parliament asking for help in stopping Baltimore privateers from attacking their vessels. The students should recall and use information gained in the previous lesson as they write their letters. Have the students read the letters to the class which will play the role of Parliament. Allow a debate and vote to determine the letter's effectiveness.

Lesson #2: Why Baltimore?

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