History of Maryland

The history of Maryland could be said to have begun circa 10,000 BC, when the first people arrived in what would later become the U.S. State of Maryland. Native Americans were the sole inhabitants of the area for thousands of years until Europeans, starting with John Cabot in 1498, began exploring the area. However, it wasn't until the 1600s that Europeans began settling the area, and not until 1632 that the colony itself was founded and named.

Maryland, 1789-1849

See also: History of the United States (1789-1849)

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Early days under the U.S. Constitution

See also: See also: History of the United States Constitution

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In a small way, the story of the United States Constitution began in Maryland, as it was in Annapolis that delegates from five states (not including Maryland) first met to call for a Constitutional Convention to correct the problems with the Articles of Confederation. This meeting, called the Annapolis Convention, met from September 11 to September 14, 1786, but the commissioners felt that there were not a sufficient number of states represented to make any substantive agreement. However, the meeting did result in having a Constitutional Convention called.

Related Topics:
United States Constitution - Annapolis - Annapolis Convention - September 11 - September 14 - 1786 - Constitutional Convention

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While Maryland was the last state to ratify the Articles of Confederation, it was the seventh state to ratify the Constitution, which it did by a vote of 63-11 on March 28, 1788. The document would take effect about a year later, on March 4, 1789 after it had secured the ratifications of all states except North Carolina and Rhode Island, which would both ratify shortly.

Related Topics:
Constitution - March 28 - 1788 - March 4 - 1789 - North Carolina - Rhode Island

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One of the first issues which the new government had to decide upon was the site for a permanent capital for the young nation. A Southern site for the capital was agreed at a sit-down dinner between Thomas Jefferson, who wanted the capital located in the south, and Alexander Hamilton, who wanted support for his banking and federal bond plans. They worked together and each got what he wanted. The actual site of the District of Columbia on the Potomac River was chosen by President Washington. Washington may have chosen the site for its natural scenery, its location near the center of the new country, in the belief that the Potomac had the potential to be a great navigable waterway, or even in the hope of increasing the value of his land holdings in the area. In the end, Virginia ceded about 39 squares miles and Maryland ceded about 61 square miles to the federal government for the District of Columbia. (The Virginian portion of the District would be retroceded back to that state in 1846)

Related Topics:
Southern - Thomas Jefferson - Alexander Hamilton - District of Columbia - Potomac River - President Washington - Virginia - Federal government - 1846

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Maryland in the War of 1812

During the War of 1812 the British conducted raids against cities along the Chesapeake Bay, up to and including Havre de Grace. There were also two notable battles that occurred in the state. The first was the Battle of Bladensburg, which occurred on August 24, 1814 just outside the national capital, Washington, D.C. The militiamen defending the city were routed and retreated in confusion through the streets of the city.

Related Topics:
War of 1812 - Havre de Grace - Battle of Bladensburg - August 24 - 1814 - Washington, D.C.

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After overrunning the confused American defenders at the Bladensburg the British took the nation's capital of Washington, D.C.. After burning and looting major public buildings there (see Burning of Washington) and forcing President James Madison to flee, they turned their attention north to Baltimore, where they hoped to strike a knockout blow against the demoralized Americans. Baltimore was not only a busy port, but was thought by the British to harbor many of the privateers who were despoiling British ships. The British planned a combined operation, with Major General Robert Ross launching a land attack at North Point, and Vice Admiral Alexander Cochrane laying siege to Fort McHenry, which defended the harbor.

Related Topics:
Washington, D.C. - Burning of Washington - James Madison - Major General Robert Ross - Alexander Cochrane

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The British army of 5000 landed as planned, marched toward Baltimore, and first met heavy resistance at the Battle of North Point on September 12, 1814. But the British managed to push the American defenders back, and advanced to within two miles of the city. The city's defenses were under the command of Major General Samuel Smith,an officer of Maryland militia and also a United States Senator. Baltimore had been well fortified, with excellent supplies and some 15,000 troops. The British, knowing that the success of their attack depended on the results of the sea campaign, halted their advance.

Related Topics:
Battle of North Point - September 12 - 1814 - Major General - Samuel Smith - Maryland - Militia

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At Fort McHenry, some 1000 soldiers under the command of Major George Armistead awaited the British naval bombardment. Their defense was augmented by the sinking of a line of American merchant ships at the adjacent entrance to Baltimore Harbor in order to further thwart the passage of British ships. The attack began on the morning of September 13, as the British fleet of some nineteen ships began pounding the fort with rockets and mortar shells. After an initial exchange of fire, the British fleet withdrew just beyond the 1 1/2 mile range of Fort McHenry's cannons, and continued to bombard the outmanned Americans for the next 25 hours. On the morning of September 14, an oversized American flag, which had been hastily sewn in hopes of this event, still flew over Fort McHenry, and the British knew that victory had eluded them. The bombardment of the fort prompted Francis Scott Key, a native of Baltimore who witnessed the assault, to write "the Star-Spangled Banner", which would later become the country's national anthem.

Related Topics:
Fort McHenry - George Armistead - September 13 - September 14 - American flag - Francis Scott Key - The Star-Spangled Banner - National anthem

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