Causes of the War of 1812

There were many reasons that convinced the United States of America to take one Step further and go to war with Great Britain. One of those numerous reasons is The land. The land in British North America was very fertile, which made the Americans are greedy for that land. Another thing is that this also caught the Attention of the War Hawks, strong and proud American men who had a lot of Influence on Congress and had a lot of power. Here's another reason why cursing Britain was going on in the minds of the American people- seamen suspected of deserting British vessels to work on American decks because the working conditions weren't as harsh and the pay was Better were caught in injustice, and they were then forced once again to work For Britain. As you can see, the ingredients for something grave were mixing, And it wasn't horrible food.

Since the Americans could not weaken the mighty British army on their own, they Tried to use trade as an asset. With a small price to pay, President Thomas Jefferson issued the Embargo Act of 1807; witch would not allow American ships To leave American ports for foreign destinations. The President though that this Was would be a sore blow to Britain, by the loss of supplies and food, but for The most part, he was wrong. The loss of goods was an unpleasant thought for the British, but the loss of trade was not something good for the merchants in the Eastern U.S.A. So after some near-disastrous problems, the Embargo Act was Repealed by Congress in 1809. There were also a series of other foul reasons that would ultimately lead up to The War, though they are not all mentioned. However as most of you might have Guessed, the War of 1812 was the climax of the Americans' anger toward the British and in "The War of 1812" which you will read about very soon, you will See how they fought each other during this unpleasant time.

The War of 1812 And its Major Events

June 1, 1812 was the date that United States President Madison acknowledged war against no other than Great Britain. Over 1000 Americans marched into British North America on July 12, 1812. However, they had underestimated the British North Americans for they along with the British forces and Native allies fought of the raid with success. Canadians would hold the war in their memories for a good many years. Here are the major events of the great war: June 1812- the day President Madison affirmed war with Great Britain. July 1812- the day that an American army which was led by American General Hull crossed the Detroit River into Upper Canada in an attempt to join the people in that region with the Americans but they generally rejected him. July 1812- a small number of British soldiers, Native Americans, and fur traders captured Fort Michilimackinac on Mackinac Island, which put together with news that British reinforcements were coming ultimately resulted in Hull's decision to go back to Detroit. August 1812- The British Commander General Brock along with the Native chief Tecumseh were triumphant in deceiving the Americans at Detroit- Hull believed Brock had assembled 5000 native warriors (actually he only had 600) therefore Hull gave up Detroit- this stopped Americans from raiding through the western end of Upper Canada as well as giving Brock the power to gain 35 cannons, 2500 muskets, 500 rifles, provisions and ammunitions. October 1812- Battle of Queenston Heights, in which the British General, Brock, was killed but the Heights were taken from the Americans.

November 1812- Salaberry's mercenaries and 300 Native allies stopped Major- General Dearborn and 6000 of his men from invading Lower Canada. April 1813- The Americans had captured York which was the capital of Upper Canada and the Parliament buildings were torched. June 1813- a naval battle, between the Americans and the British. June 1813- British at Stoney Creek turned back the American advance into Niagara Peninsula. September 1813- the Americans vanquished the British naval control on Lake Erie and Britain's naval control of the upper Great Lakes came to an end. October 1813- Americans won at the Battle of Thames River close to Moraviantown and the courageous Native Chief Tecumseh was killed. October 1813- the American forces turned back from the British and Canadien force at the Battle of Chвteauguay. November 1813- a combination of 800 British soldiers, Canadien militiamen, and First Nations allies defeated 7000 Americans at the Battle of Crysler's Farm. December 1813- Americans torch the town of Newark. May 1814- British naval armada captivated the American Fort Oswego. July 1812- neither side could achieve a victory at the Battle of Lundy's Lane but the Americans withdrew to Fort Erie. August 1814- the British occupied Washington for one day, the President's mansion was heavily burned by fire and was repainted white and called the White House from that day. September 1814- Sir George Prevost marched the British south and they were defeated at Plattsburg on Lake Champlain. December 1814- peace treaty- the Treaty of Ghent. January 1815- Andrew Jackson prevailed for the Americans with a victory at the Battle of New Orleans, although he did not know that the peace treaty was already signed. Even at the end of the War, not much had changed except for a few long- term effects. There was also no definite winner.

Results of the War of 1812

Wondering who won the war? Neither the British nor the Americans. However there were some continuing effects. British immigrants were more confident in coming to British North America because they were willing to defend their country against any more American attacks. The border between the U.S. and British North America was administered at the 49th parallel, from Lake of the Woods to the Rocky Mountains. Oregon Territory was to be jointly occupied Great lakes were freed from military control by the Rush-Bagot Agreement of 1817.

Both Americans and the British were allowed to put one-armed ship on Lake Champlain and Lake Ontario and two on the rest of the Great Lakes so they could avoid smuggling. Since the people of Upper and Lower Canada had to work with each other during the war, the success encouraged each colony to be friendly to one another. Although, no won the war, as mentioned before Great Britain was still far away from shambles. The British government tried to assimilate the Natives who had helped for they were no longer needed. There was an increase of trade along the St. Lawrence-Great Lakes route and it resumed to expand after the war. Although it was costly to export trade items along this route, the Welland and Lachine Canals both opened in the 1820's for cheaper substitute routes.

Template Found At: