Did you know Andrew Jackson was viewed as a national hero? After the Battle of New Orleans, Jackson’s status was moved to a national hero. 

On January 8, 1815, the Battle of New Orleans took place about 5 miles Southeast of the French Quarter in New Orleans, Louisiana. Major General Sir Edward Pakenham led over 8,000 British soldiers to battle against Major General Andrew Jackson and over 5,000 American soldiers. The British wanted to seize New Orleans in the effort to gain control of a critical American port. In the hopes of the expansion into territory acquired by the United States through the Louisiana Purchase of 1803. The Louisiana Purchase was the acquisition of the territory of Louisiana by the United States from the French First Republic in 1803. 

This battle could have been avoided if the American and British troops had received the word that a treaty had been signed. The Treaty of Ghent was signed 15 days before the battle. The intention of the treaty was that Great Britain agreed to relinquish claims to the Northwest Territory, and both countries pledged to work toward ending the slave trade. The treaty had ended the War of 1812 on December 24, 1814, but only about 2 weeks later, the Battle of New Orleans. This battle became a symbol of American democracy triumphing over the old European ideas of aristocracy and entitlement. 

The Battle of New Orleans has become the last major armed engagement between the United States and Great Britain. The battle lasted just over 30 minutes, and the British suffered the highest number of casualties. The battle ended with 2,037 British deaths and 71 American deaths. Leading to the United States winning the battle. 

The Battle of New Orleans marks a significant time in United States history. The battle ensured America’s control of New Orleans.