The correct answer is B: They wanted to take control of the Mississippi River.
Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:
"After the attack on Washington, the British moved against New Orleans. British commanders hoped to capture the city and thus take control of the Mississippi River.
Andrew Jackson commanded the U.S. forces around New Orleans. His troops were a mix of regular soldiers, including two battalions of free African Americans, a group of Choctaw Indians, state militia, and pirates led by Jean Lafitte.
The battle began on the morning of January 8, 1815. Some 5,300 British troops attacked Jackson's force of about 4,500. The British began marching toward the U.S. defenses, but they were caught on an open field. The British were cut down with frightening speed. More than 2,000 British soldiers were killed or wounded. The Americans, for their part, had suffered about 70 casualties. The Battle of New Orleans made Andrew Jackson a hero and was the last major conflict of the War of 1812"
Why did the British attack New Orleans in 1815?
A They wanted to take control of the U.S. capitol.
B They wanted to take control of the Mississippi River.
C They wanted to draw away U.S. troops attacking Canada.
D They wanted to support Native American forces in the region.
1 answer