200 years ago today the United States declared war on Great Britain initiating the War of 1812. While not particularly well remembered in the United States it was a seminal event in Canadian History.
Ironically without the U.S. declaration of war Canada would have likely been absorbed into the United States somewhere along the way mainly because it would likely have been jammed full of Americans. Even in the years leading up to the war recent American immigrants where the largest 'ethnic' group in Canada outnumbering French Canadians and British Canadians and there is little reason to think that this demographic trend would have ceased without the war.
What the War 1812 did most for Canada was provide a wellspring of myths and legends, which are fundamentally what nation states are built on that would pretty much tide the nation over until the 20th century when rising clout in world affairs (and Lord Stanly's Cup) would provide new myths and legends for the nation.
Most importantly it turned all of the Americans living in Canada into Canadians. Its a little known fact that the Americans where able to raise roughly as many militia in Canada as the British where, an impressive feat considering that at least when things started the British controlled the territory. By wars end pretty much every new Canadian that had originally identified more with their America roots and figures like Paul Revere would now swear on his mothers grave that he was there in the redoubt with 7 other guys while they held off 400 Yankees. When peace was concluded there where no Americans in Canada...every last one of them had apparently descended from Empire Loyalists...
Here's hoping all these nations never go to war again.
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When I was a young lad in highschool, one of the regular practices for the cross-country team consisted of us running along the Mississippi River to and from the site of the Battle of New Orleans. As I recall, it was the last battle of the War of 1812, but actually took place after the war had officially ended. I used to love that run, because we'd go past the Domino Sugar refinery - the smell was fantastic.
How many battles make up the war of 1812?
Is there a map?
They attacked Detroit rock city!
Blame Canada!
ahh canadian history. Just the thing i need to cure my insom... zzzzzzzzzzzzz
~pinches BigNorseWolf~ Wake UP!!!
The Battle of Fort Dearborn was a sideshow!
Vive le Galt!
I think that War of 1812 also impacted the future of the American nation in a couple of ways. For example, bringing to prominence Andrew Jackson, which improved his ability to be elected as a Senator and President.
Aside from the big two (Washington and Jefferson), I don't think there was another President who changed the office and the American nation more in the pre-Civil War years.
It's possible that without Jackson, there is either a premature Civil War or none at all. How the Federal Government operates would have changed - possibly for the worse. What would have happened with the Indian nations and slavery might have changed the makeup of America as well.
Sorry if I am dipping into too much speculative history here.
well, the major effect for the us was to stop the english from arming the indians, paving the way for their erradic...ermm. for the expansion of american progress!
and let sleeping wolves lie!
Jackson has many sins or errors, but attacking after the war was over is not one I would lay at his feet. Neither the Americans or the British armies were aware the war was over.
Jackson's biggest attack came on Dec. 23rd - which hindered the British until they regrouped for their big assault. The British were still the ones in the attack position on January 8th - the main day of the battle of the two week long siege of New Orleans.
The peace treaty was signed on December 24th; wasn't ratified until Feb 16th, and only then did everyone in the Americas find out.
Those interested in a British historian's view may want to download the BBC History podcast released on 5 May.
Those interested in a British historian's view may want to download the BBC History podcast released on 5 May.
Excellent podcast that one. I think some people would have difficulty agreeing with the historian.
He raised some very good points I would like to see somebody attempt to refute.
The War of 1812 is considered a case study in how NOT to fight a war. The major causes were taken care of before hostilities started, the most famous battle was fought after it was over, and mistake after mistake was made by both sides in the conflict.
so why has it become the blueprint for how we do war...
The sad irony is that the Orders in Council that provoked the war had been suspended shortly before Congress declared war. Communications lag can be a really big problem.
I don't know. We learned about the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans, the White House burning down, the compostion of "The Star-Spangled Banner," all that stuff. But then, I was in AP classes.
I do wish, though, that I knew more about the Napoleonic wars.
I also have a question, Candians, or whoever: How much anglophonic colonization of Canada was going on pre-1776? I could look it up myself, but I'm lazy.
Thanks in advance and Vive le Galt!