The United States and Great Britain was a conflict fought known as War of 1812. It started in the summer of 1812 and lasted until the spring of 1815. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the major battles and events that took place during the War of 1812. It will address causes, course, the outcome of the war, and the contribution to the creation of an American identity.
Causes of the War
There are many factors or reasons as to why the United States were influenced to start a war with Britain. During the first decade of the nineteenth century, it occurred due to an outgrowth of events in Europe; the Napoleonic Wars. It played a major role between the two states. As a result, Great Britain was taken by the United States, which is the greatest naval power in the world. This is a conflict that would have a huge impact on the country’s future. It consisted of minor events that turned into major events, resulting a war between the two. In 1812, the United States engaged in what many at the time were calling the Declaration of War on Great Britain the “2nd War for Independence,” (Fitz, 2015, p. 357). Britain was the enemy that the United States was facing, but during this time, the real problem that was occurring was the struggle going on in the United States of America. There were four main reasons why the War of 1812 began. First, a violation of neutrality rights, which came to be called the Napoleonic Wars. Britain began restricting American ships from trading. The Americans with Great Britain creating a blockade to yield American ships from trading with France. In other words, ships arriving and departing the United States were blocked from Great Britain. British navy ships were position off the coastline of the United States. These battleships were positioned in the Atlantic Ocean, running from Maine to Florida. The British tactic was not new, they first used against the Dutch and French which developed the blockade system for 150 years before 1812 (Leiner, 2012). United States declared war on Great Britain on June of 1812, they had fully enhanced their techniques. In addition, international law and advances in coppering of wooden ships, logistics, and hygiene enabled the perfection of the continuous and close blockade system (Leiner, 2012). British attacked and raided American ships bound for France, and France did the same to Britain. Britain defeated Napoleon, and their attention turned from France to the United States and battles broke out resulting to the start of the War of 1812. An unwilling participant was the United States and rights as a neutral power were violated. Next, the impressment of American seamen, where Americans were forced into British naval service because they were in need of soldiers. American traders were angry and annoyed, while Britain’s abduction of American sailors caused indignation and uproar at home. Another reason for the war was Napoleon smart, the French emperor Napoleon Bonaparte were in a brilliant tactical move. They saw the Americans resentment against the British and increasingly realized that France would benefit if the United States were in war with Britain. Lastly, the battles for the west, where western War Hawks such as Henry Clay from Kentucky saw a potential war against Britain in order to eliminate the British from Canada and American West as a possible target of expansion. The war hawks refer to a group of southern and western leaders that encouraged the war and was firmly Republican in their party’s loyalty. British offered encouragement to a pan-Indian revitalization movement led by the Prophet in the Indiana territory including Techumseh.
Course of the War
President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain that began on the 18th of June. He did not want to fight, this was not his war (Maass, 2015). Both the majority of Congress and the Madison administration opposed the annexation of Canada. The Americans hoped to expand the United States territory by taking control of Canada and Florida which was seen as an opportunity to defend their honor and freedom. The United States suffered from many defeats at the hands of British, Canadian, and Native American troops over the course of the war. However, both suffered numerous losses, but one side could be the victor. At the time of the blockade, Great Britain was at war with Napoleon. The King of Great Britain did not want the United States trading with France, hence the blockade along the coast. The British blockade was a natural weapon against the distant and trade-dependent France. Minsinger (2017) states that it is a “complicated relationship that existed” (p. 472). During the war, Americans sailors made up a disproportionately large number of those imprisoned by British forces. Eventually, the United States government became furious and tired of trying to make peace with Great Britain resulting in Congress to declare war.
Outcomes of the War
After three years of battle, the war came to an end. A peace treaty, called The Treaty of Ghent formally ended the War of 1812 between the United States of America and Great Britain, but it did not settle any of the significant issues, principally America’s right to neutrality and naval impressments. The treaty did, however, end hostilities, which was a relief to both sides (Schultz, 2016). Both sides signed the peace treaty on the day of Christmas eve; December 24, 1814, in the city of Ghent, Belgium, and copies arrived in Washington on February 14, 1815 (Dennis, 2014). It is significant for at least four reasons: in politics, which is a strong national government, British influence the West is dissolved, America’s role was shaped in world affairs; and boosted American patriotism and unified the nation (Schultz, 2016). The outcomes of War of 1812 are small compared to other wars and battles against Great Britain. For instance, the War of 1812 moves the westward expansion and Manifest Destiny. Americans were skeptical of moving to the west due to a fear of the unknown and secure place to settle. They had the idea of Manifest Destiny, and move towards the west for a better life for their families and future generations to come.
Contribution to the creation of an American Identity
The Britain were embroiled with France, many Americans expected to win the War of 1812, but it is difficult to prove when having to win the war (Schultz, 2016). Its contribution to the creation of the American Identity by illustrating that United States will fight and go into battle due to their pride. Americans citizens and the United States government will not back down from fighting for something they believe that is morally and ethically right. They will never back from an issue that is strongly believed in. The manifest destiny and westward expansion were set in motion, and the national anthem the Star Spangled Banner gave courage to the Americans. In which, increase American motivation and encouragement. The Star Spangled Banner has a significant meaning to Americans, national history, and to the United States of America as it evokes to strong feelings to the American flag and the United States. Therefore, these were the major events and battles that happened during the War of 1812.
Originally published 15.10.2019