The USA - British War of 1812 - A British Perspective

The War of 1812, was fought between the United States of America and Great Britain and was a spin off from the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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In this summary of the War of 1812 I will introduce you to the causes of the war, what actually happened and who won it.

Somewhat confusingly it was just fought in 1812 but lasted for nearly 3 years, finishing in 1815.

It was the first time that the United States’s had gone to war with a foreign enemy and bizarrely for a war that was fought principally about the freedom for American ships to sail the high seas it was mainly fought on land.

Added to which, America’s greatest naval victory was 1,000 from the sea!

Americans look with pride on their emphatic victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans and the British (if they know anything about this war) will remind our American cousins that we set fire to the Capitol and the White House…more of both of those events later.


What were the causes of the War of 1812?

A combination of British intriguing with Native Americans to attack American citizens, American ships being searched and prevented from trading with France by the Royal Navy, and American citizens being impressed into the Royal Navy.


When did the War of 1812 start?

On the 18th June 1812 President James Maddison declared war on Great Britain.
It was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation.

What happened in the war of 1812?

Despite being a war about freedom of American ships on the high seas, it was mainly fought on land.
The US invasion of Canada was defeated at the battle of Queenston Heights and during the next 2 years further invasion fared no better.

Ironically, the Americans had greater success on the water, especially at the battle of Lake Erie where Oliver Hazard Perry wiped out a British fleet.

In 1814, with the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe, the British sent battle-experienced troops to North America.
Their invasion from Canada into New York State was defeated at the battle of Plattsburgh.

A British Army of over 4,000 men under the command of General Ross landed near Washington DC and quickly captured the capital.
The Capitol Building and Executive Mansion (The White House) were set on fire.

However, they were unable to capitalise on that success at the Battle of Baltimore when, despite a 25 hour bombardment, they couldn’t dislodge the American defenders at Fort McHenry.

The Defence of Fort McHenry inspired the poet Francis Scott Keys were inspired to write a poem to music…the Star Spangled Banner.
It became the national anthem of the United States.

In early 1815, the British were decisively defeated at the Battle of New Orleans by Andrew Jackson.
Ironically, this bloody battle was fought after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed but before it had arrived across the Atlantic for ratification by President Madison.


When did the War of 1812 end?

Somewhat bizarrely, despite its name, the war actually lasted until 1815.

How did the war of 1812 end?

With the Treaty of Ghent.
The treaty basically restored the pre-war status quo in North America.


#warof1812 #impressment #battleofneworleans


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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.

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