(Vol. 1.) First invasion : the War of 1812, depicts how only 30 years after winning the independence, the upstart United States waged another war with Great Britain. Motivated by the high-seas capture of American sailors and the desire to annex Canadian lands, President Madison declared war. Thanks to the aim of a lone sniper, the skill of Andrew Jackson, the fortitude of the people of Baltimore, and the events of September 11, 1814, America would triumph again, ensuring the survival of the fledgling nation. -- Save our history : the star-spangled banner recaptures the events that led Francis Scott Key to write the song which would become our national anthem. This song was written at the Battle of Fort McHenry during the War of 1812.
(Vol. 2.) The battle of New Orleans shows how General Andrew Jackson led a motley group of Creoles, freeborn blacks, local Native Americans and poorly armed frontiersmen to defeat the British army effectively ending the War of 1812. -- Biography: Andrew Jackson : a man for the people shows how Andrew Jackson, known as "Old Hickory", took office in 1828 as President of the United States building on a reputation for leadership earned in battle during the War of 1812. -- The great ships: the Ironclads presents how In the 19th century, the iron clad warships represented a radical advance over all earlier war ships making the wooden Navies of the world obsolete overnight. -- Extreme history: surviving an 1812 battleship provides a look at what it was like to engage the enemy from inside an 1812 battleship.
General Note
Videodisc release of programs originally produced for television 1995-2004.
Primary sources include: James Madison's War Message to Congress, personal testimony from an 1812 soldier.
Content Note
(Vol. 1.) First invasion : the War of 1812 -- Save our history : the star-spangled banner -- Bonus program: behind the scenes of First invasion: the war of 1812.
(Vol. 2.) Frontier, the decisive battles: the battle of New Orleans -- Biography: Andrew Jackson : a man for the people -- The Ironclads -- Bonus program: Extreme history: surviving an 1812 battleship.