Activity Overview
Creating a timeline is a great way for students to be able to understand the sequence of historical events and visualize the history they're learning. This is especially effective when studying the major causes of a war, as students are able to see how one thing leads to another and how countries and people respond to actions that are taken.
In this activity, students will create a timeline to outline and explain the major causes of the War of 1812. This will allow students to research and understand the major political and geographic causes that led to the U.S. declaring war on Great Britain. Students will be able to explain and analyze what exactly caused the war, and why the young, developing United States even considered war as an option. Furthermore, it will give deeper perspective what the state of affairs was in the early years of America.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students research Jefferson’s foreign policy. Students should define what measures he took in dealing with other nations, especially concerning trade, the Louisiana Purchase, and his Embargo Act of 1807. This will allow students to draw deeper connections to what helped instigate the War of 1812.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the major causes of the War of 1812.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events, legislation, and geographic changes and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of each event, legislation, and geographic change identified in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
Activity Overview
Creating a timeline is a great way for students to be able to understand the sequence of historical events and visualize the history they're learning. This is especially effective when studying the major causes of a war, as students are able to see how one thing leads to another and how countries and people respond to actions that are taken.
In this activity, students will create a timeline to outline and explain the major causes of the War of 1812. This will allow students to research and understand the major political and geographic causes that led to the U.S. declaring war on Great Britain. Students will be able to explain and analyze what exactly caused the war, and why the young, developing United States even considered war as an option. Furthermore, it will give deeper perspective what the state of affairs was in the early years of America.
For an alternative to the timeline layout, have students create a timeline poster to incorporate into a presentation or gallery walk. You can add more than one template to this assignment to give students lots of options, and update the instructions accordingly.
Extended Activity
Have students research Jefferson’s foreign policy. Students should define what measures he took in dealing with other nations, especially concerning trade, the Louisiana Purchase, and his Embargo Act of 1807. This will allow students to draw deeper connections to what helped instigate the War of 1812.
Template and Class Instructions
(These instructions are completely customizable. After clicking "Copy Activity", update the instructions on the Edit Tab of the assignment.)
Student Instructions
Create a timeline detailing the major causes of the War of 1812.
- Click "Start Assignment".
- Identify important events, legislation, and geographic changes and type them into the titles of each cell.
- Write a summary of each event, legislation, and geographic change identified in the description box.
- Create an illustration using appropriate scenes, characters, and items.
- Save and exit when you're done.
Lesson Plan Reference
Rubric
(You can also create your own on Quick Rubric.)
| Proficient 33 Points | Emerging 25 Points | Beginning 17 Points | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Events and Dates | The events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. The dates provided are correct. | Most of the events chosen for the timeline are significant and important to the overall understanding of the time period. Most of the dates provided are correct. | Some of the events chosen for the timeline are significant. There may be missing events, or events that are irrelevant. Too many dates may be incorrect. |
| Explanations/Descriptions | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are accurate and provide insight into the significance of the events. | The explanations or descriptions provided for each event are mostly accurate and attempt to provide insight into the significance of the events. | There are several glaring inaccuracies in the explanations or descriptions of the events. There may be little or no insight int the significance of the events, or the information provided may be too limited or missing. |
| English Conventions | There are 0-2 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 3-4 mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. | There are 5 or more mistakes in spelling, grammar, and mechanics. |
How Tos about Causes of the War of 1812
Integrate primary sources to deepen student understanding
Use primary source documents like letters, political cartoons, or newspaper articles from the War of 1812 era to help students connect with history firsthand. Analyzing real artifacts builds critical thinking and makes the causes of the war more vivid and personal for students.
Select age-appropriate primary sources
Choose documents that are accessible and engaging for your grade level, such as simple letters, short newspaper excerpts, or period illustrations. Scaffold support as needed to ensure students can interpret the material without frustration.
Guide students in analyzing primary sources
Encourage students to ask questions about who created the source, why it was made, and what perspective it represents. Prompt discussion to help students infer how each document connects to the causes of the War of 1812.
Have students present findings with supporting evidence
Ask students to share what they learned from their primary source and how it relates to a specific cause of the war. Encourage use of direct quotes or images to support their conclusions, fostering evidence-based historical thinking.
Frequently Asked Questions about Causes of the War of 1812
What were the main causes of the War of 1812?
The main causes of the War of 1812 included British interference with American trade, the impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, disputes over territorial expansion, and rising tensions fueled by British support of Native American resistance against U.S. settlers.
How can students create a timeline to show the causes of the War of 1812?
To create a timeline of the War of 1812 causes, students should identify key events, laws, and geographic changes leading up to the war. Summarize each event, add illustrations, and arrange them in chronological order to visualize the sequence and connections between causes.
Why did the United States decide to declare war on Great Britain in 1812?
The U.S. declared war on Great Britain due to ongoing issues like trade restrictions, the impressment of American sailors, and British support of Native American attacks. Many Americans felt these actions threatened their nation's sovereignty and security.
What role did Jefferson’s foreign policy play in leading to the War of 1812?
Jefferson’s foreign policy, especially the Embargo Act of 1807, aimed to avoid war but hurt American trade. His actions, including the Louisiana Purchase and attempts to limit British and French interference, increased tensions and set the stage for the War of 1812.
What is an engaging classroom activity to help students understand the causes of the War of 1812?
Assigning students to create a timeline or poster helps them visualize the sequence of events and analyze how each cause contributed to the War of 1812. This hands-on activity encourages research, summary writing, and creative illustration.
More Storyboard That Activities
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