[182]

Military action
USS Constitution defeats HMS Guerriere, a significant event during the war. U.S. nautical victories boosted American morale.
Madison and his advisers initially believed the war would result in a quick American victory.[179][183] Being overconfident, Madison ordered a three military spearhead incursions into Canada, starting at Detroit, which was designed to loosen British control around American-held Fort Niagara and destroy the British supply lines from Montreal. These actions would gain leverage for concessions to protect American shipping in the Atlantic.[183] Without a standing army, Madison counted on state militias to rally to the flag and invade Canada: however, governors in the Northeast failed to cooperate.[184] As a result, Madison's first Canadian campaign ended in failure. The British army was more organized, used professional soldiers, and fostered an alliance with Native American tribes led by Tecumseh. On August 16, Major General William Hull, timidly fearing an Indian attack, quickly surrendered to British and Native American forces at Detroit.[183] On October 13, a separate force from the United States was defeated at Queenston Heights.