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Report #1: The War of 1812
Terry J. Smith
American Public University Systems
MILH510-Studies in U.S. Military History
Dr. Rob Kirkland
June 25, 2023
2
Report #1: The War of 1812
The War of 1812, also known as America's "Second War for Independence" was a
conflict between the United States and Great Britain. This essay delves into the background
events that led to the war, explores the political influences behind the declaration of war,
analyzes America's military performance, and examines the short and long-term results of the
conflict.
Background Events:
The events that paved the way for the War of 1812 were rooted in the ongoing tensions
between the United States and Great Britain. Some of the main issues that led to this war were
the British had been imprisoning American sailors, interfering with the United States’ trade
during their conflict with France, and the British's involvement with Native American tribes.
One of the primary causes of the war was British’s practice of impressment. During the
Napoleonic Wars, Britain struggled against France and sought to bolster its naval strength. After
the British won the
battle
Battle
of Trafalgar and gained control of the sea, "The Royal Navy
seized more than 500 American vessels between 1803 and 1807, hovered off the coast imposing
a virtual blockade, and impressed American seamen. The ultimate indignity came in June 1807,
when the British frigate Leopard fired on the Chesapeake, killing and wounding twenty-one men
and impressing four alleged deserters" (Millett & Maslowski, 2012, p.
121). This violation of
American sovereignty and the impressment of their sailors deeply angered the United States.
As the conflict between Britain and France continued, both sides imposed naval
blockades and trade restrictions to weaken their adversaries. The British Royal Navy, being the
dominant maritime power, established a blockade of European ports. However, they also began
intercepting American ships trading with France and seizing goods they deemed contraband. This
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interference with American trade significantly impacted the economy and contributed to growing
tensions. The United States imposed the Embargo Act of 1807 as a passive means of retaliation
to eliminate exports to other countries. However, this had little effect on their European
adversaries
.
(Millett & Maslowski, 2012, p.
122).
The western front of the continental United States, which consisted of mostly just the
east
East
coast
Coast
at this point in history, was inhabited by various Native American tribes, many
of whom were armed and supported by the British. The British saw these tribes as an opportunity
to buffer against American expansion west by supplying them with weapons and support. Native
American resistance to American settlement increased, leading to conflicts and raids on
American territories. America viewed British involvement with the Native Americans as a direct
threat to their territorial ambitions.
Political Influence:
Within the United States, Congress, a group of young palpitations known as the War
Hawks, pushed heavily to influence a new war against Britain. They saw the war as an
opportunity to defend American honor, protect trade rights, and expand American territory. Their
fervent nationalism and desire for aggressive foreign policy played a crucial role in shaping the
decision to go to war (Hickey, 1989). As a result, President Madison, who initially hesitated to
declare war against Britain, succumbed to the pressure from the War Hawks and other political
forces. Madison felt that British actions had pushed the United States to a point where war was
necessary to preserve American sovereignty and protect American rights (Bickham, 2013).
America's Military Performance:
The military performance of the United States during the War of 1812 was mixed. The
American forces faced numerous challenges, including a lack of preparedness, limited resources,
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4
and poor leadership. "Legislation enacted early in 1812 increased the Army to 35,000 and
provided for 50,000 volunteers and 100,000 militia. While these numbers were awesome on
paper when the war began, the regulars numbered only 12,000, and the volunteers and militia
remained unorganized. The Navy consisted of only sixteen ships, seven of them frigates inherited
from the Federalists, including three superb heavy frigates.
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By contrast, the Royal Navy had
about 1,000 warships" (Millett & Maslowski, 2012, p.
122).
Initially, under President Madison's leadership, America's primary strategy was to invade
Canada in hopes Britain would divide the Royal Navy to repel their advances north. This would
allow the United States to focus its navy on preventing naval raids on critical ports. However, the
land campaign to conquer Canada failed due to America's poor leadership and logistical issues.
On the other hand, the American Navy achieved several notable victories, including the triumphs
of the USS Constitution sinking the HMS Guerriere and the USS United States capturing the
HMS Macedonian
.
(Millett & Maslowski, 2012, p.
126)
.
One of the most significant military events of the war was the British assault on
Washington, D.C., in 1814. Despite the defense by American forces, including the stand at Fort
McHenry, the city was untimely captured, and the White House was burned. However, the
American resistance served as a symbol of resilience and helped boost national morale.
Short and Long-Term Results:
The War of 1812 had short- and long-term results that influenced American history. In the
short term, the war ended in a stalemate with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. This
treaty restored pre-war boundaries and concluded hostilities, essentially preserving the status
"quo ante bellum," a Latin phrase meaning the situation as it existed before the war
.
(Archives.gov, 2012)
.
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However, the war had lasting impacts on the United States. Firstly, the war solidified
American independence and sovereignty. President Madison declared in his war message that the
war was fought to protect "the honor, the rights, and the independence of the country" (NEH.gov,
n.d.)
.
The United States emerged from the conflict with a greater sense of national identity and
self-confidence.
Secondly, the war marked a turning point in Native American-European relations. The
defeat of the British and their Native American allies weakened indigenous resistance to
American expansion and opened up territories for westward settlement. This had profound and
negative consequences for Native American tribes, leading to displacement and the erosion of
their land and sovereignty.
Finally, the War of 1812 played a pivotal role in shaping American foreign policy. The
conflict highlighted the importance of a strong navy and the need to protect American interests
overseas. It spurred domestic manufacturing and industrialization as America sought to become
more self-reliant and less dependent on foreign powers
.
(Millett & Maslowski, 2012, p.
133)
.
Conclusion:
The War of 1812 was a complex conflict influenced by political factors, grievances over
British actions, and territorial ambitions. Despite initial military setbacks, the war had significant
impacts on American history. It strengthened American independence and nationalism, reshaped
Native American-European relations, and influenced American foreign policy and industrial
development. As President Madison proclaimed, the war was a test of America's "honor, rights,
and independence" (NEH.gov, n.d.), and its outcomes left an impressive mark on the nation's
identity.
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References
Archives.org (2022). Treaty of Ghent (1814).
National Archives.
https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/treaty-of-ghent#:~:text=A%20meeting
%20in%20Belgium%20of,toward%20ending%20the%20slave%20trade
Bickham, O. (2012). The Weight of Vengeance: The United States, the British Empire, and the
War of 1812.
Oxford University Press.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=915564&pq-
origsite=primo
Hickey, Donald R. (1989). The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict.
University of Illinois Press
.
https://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=3414169&query=Hickey
%2C+Donald+R.+%281989%29.+The+War+of+1812%3A+A+Forgotten+Conflict.
+University+of+Illinois+Press.
Millett, A., & Maslowski, P. (2012).
For the Common Defense.
ProQuest Ebook Central
.
http://ebookcentral.proquest.com/lib/apus/detail.action?docID=4934759.
NEH.gov (n.d
.
). President Madison’s 1812 War Message.
EDSITEment!
https://edsitement.neh.gov/curricula/president-madisons-1812-war-message
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