the War of 1812 is not just a war between Canada and the United States, Great Britain and the First Nations played a large part in the war the Americans did have just cause for a war with the British
The Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815) British adopted policies that angered the Americans Napoleon ordered a blockade (the Berlin Decree) to cripple British trade by closing French controlled ports to British ships. Neutral and French ships would be seized if they did not visit a Continental Port first (Continental System). Britain responded by forcing neutral ships to obtain a license before sailing to Europe to trade This interfered with American trade in Europe.
British stopped American ships and searched for navy deserters and contraband. British captains seized native-born Americans an forced them to work on British ships. Chesapeake Affair 1807: British naval squadron was watching for French ships in Chesapeake Bay when several British sailors deserted and joined the Americans American frigate Chesapeake had deserters aboard and refused to be searched by crew of British HMS Leopard HMS Leopard opened fire killing three and injuring 18 The British boarded and seized four men.
May 1, 1811: HMS Guerriere seized and American sailor from a coastal vessel more tension Major General Dearborn convinced President Madison that in the event of war, Canada would be easy to take control of, and an invasion would be welcomed by the Canadians. Thomas Jefferson remarked that the capture of Canada was a mere matter of marching War Hawks : a group of Republican Congressmen wanted war. Motivated by nationalism, Anglophobia, retaliation for economic trouble caused by blockade. Didn t like perceived British support of First Nations resistance to American western expansion.
War declared on June 18, 1812 Americans decided that Upper Canada would be their best option for attack because the Atlantic provinces were protected by the British Navy and Lower Canada by the fortress of Quebec. Upper Canada: Only 1600 British troops (mostly 41 st Regiment + some militia reinforcements) < 500,000 people in BNA, 7.5 million in America! British were badly outnumbered but better prepared than the Americans thanks to Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (Administrator of Upper Canada)
Had been preparing for five years (reinforcing fortifications, training militia, developing alliances with First Nations) Ordered the commanding officer of Fort St. Joseph on Lake Huron to capture the American post at Michilimackinac Island. Post was captured on July 17, 1812 by a force of 46 British soldiers and 400 First Nations warriors. Short battle, no casualties! This helped to encourage First Nations to join him.
American forces led by General Hull crossed from Detroit to Canada Brock quickly moved his forces to York to counter the invasion. When Brock arrived at Amherstburg, General Hull already back in Detroit. Brock captures Detroit on August 16 with the help of Shawnee chief Tecumseh British control Michigan territory and Upper Mississippi
Brock stationed at Fort George anticipating Americans would cross there Americans invade Canada led by General Stephen Van Rensselaer, cross Niagara River at Queenston. On October 13 th, American soldiers find a secret path to the top of the escarpment and seize a British- Canadian gun placement, giving them an advantage. Brock arrives from Fort George by horse and leads the charge to regain the escarpment, but is killed by an American sniper.
Mohawk and Delaware warriors pin down the Americans until reinforcements arrive American reserves refuse to fight on foreign soil, and the Americans eventually surrender. The loss of General Brock is devastating but had a big impact on the people of Upper Canada
Americans tried to retake Detroit but were so badly defeated at Frenchtown (January 22, 1813) by British, Canadian and First Nations forces under Lieutenant- Colonel Procter, they abandoned any further attempts that winter. After the death of Brock, the British took a defensive strategy, keeping forces strong in Quebec.
April 27, 1813-16 American ships land at York (Toronto), capturing the town, burning buildings, and seizing naval supplies. First major defeat for the British May 27, 1813 Americans seize Fort George. Retreating British forces are given enough time to regroup and attack the Americans at Stoney Creek on June 5 th, capturing two generals.
Laura Secord s husband was injured at Queenston Heights While caring for him, she overheard plans for an American attack at Beaver Dams She travelled over 30 km through American lines to warn the British of the impending attack. Secord arrived at an Aboriginal camp where she was guided the rest of the way to warn Lieutenant Fitzgibbon.
Americans suffer another major defeat at the hands of First Nations forces. 300 Caughnawaga, and 100 Mohawk warriors defeated the Americans after 3 hours of fighting. American forces surrendered because they afraid of what might happen to them if taken prisoner by Aboriginal warriors. 600 Americans captured, 25 dead, 50 injured 5 Aboriginal chiefs and warriors killed, 20-25 wounded.
December 10, 1813 Americans evacuate Fort George and quit Canada Burn town of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) while leaving. British retaliate by burning Buffalo Burn Washington the following August
September 10, 1813 Battle of Put-in-Bay - British and American fleets fight for control of Lake Erie Americans win. Americans dominate the upper Great Lakes, causing the British to abandon Detroit and retreat up the Thames River. Americans catch up to the British and First Nations at Moraviantown led by William Henry Harrison. British and First Nations are scattered and defeated. British retreat, leaving the First Nations to fight alone. Tecumseh is killed First Nations alliance is broken.
Very important battle for Canadian nationalism American general Hampton met an all-canadian/first Nations force led by French Canadian lieutenantcolonel Charles de Salaberry Canadians outnumbered 10-1 Americans could not breach barricades Confused, panicked and fearful, they had to retreat.
November 11, 1813 British had a tactical advantage Americans forced to walk through ravines and fields with fences British were backed by gunboats on the St. Lawrence River By the time American artillery and cavalry arrived, most soldiers had retreated
Fought in the dark Both sides could not tell each other apart Hand to hand fighting with bayonets and muskets Ended in a stalemate Approximately 900 killed, wounded on each side Very important battle because it stopped the American advancement into Upper Canada.
After a failed attempt to invade northern New York, the British retreated from American territory and signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. This effectively ended the War of 1812. The Battle of New Orleans happened after the treaty, but was essentially meaningless. Both sides agreed to leave the borders as they were.
Who were the winners and losers of the War of 1812? What were the main causes of the war? How do you think the war affected Canada going forward?
Rising nationalism in Canada Sense of community that later influenced Confederation Canadians earned the right to not be American Outcomes are less clear for America They wanted to annex Canada but failed Tecumseh s confederacy broken with his death First Nation s hope of stopping American expansion was lost British abandoned their First Nations allies after the peace as done in the past. Border maintained at the 49 th parallel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_deta ilpage&v=wla0muwaivk
Sources: http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/w ar-of-1812/ http://www.eighteentwelve.ca/