The Ghent Treaty as Seen by Americans
Ghent Treaty: Success or Failure?
The War of 1812 was fought between the new and fragile United States against the British Empire, Canadian Provinces and a few Woodland Indian Tribes. The War of 1812 was an attempt by the Americans to establish their dominance in North America by conquest of the British owned Canadian Provinces. With an under supplied and undermanned army and navy the United States managed to scrape up a stalemate with the British. The British, with the defeat of Napoleon, turn back toward the Old World to establish their presence as the greatest empire in Europe. The Treaty of Ghent was signed by both, the British and United States, to agree upon an armistice and return all rightful land and prisoners back to their respective country. The War of 1812 had major effects in the aftermath of the war both domestically and in foreign affairs. The United States, coming off a decent result on land and even more importantly on the seas against the British Empire, gained more respect in the community of European nations. Inside its borders, America had the greatest nationalistic movement it has seen since the forming of the Union. Nationalism boosted the economy, the arts, and transportation. "The American System" was formed and an anthem was created that Americans can sing to show their patriotism.
As the War of 1812 concluded the world's super powers, France, Spain and Portugal, are stunned once again. For the second time the Americans control the British in North America. Americans stake a claim that they are a force which is strong, independent and assumes respect. The foreign policy result of the War of 1812 is a great boost to the ego and respect for Americans by fellow European counterparts.
Inside its newly formed borders American pride is overflowing the democratic cup. Nationalism is at an all time high. Throughout the Republic, Americans young and old are proud to be Americans. American writers and poets contribute to the newly established American Literature section. Poets, like Washington Irving and Fennimore Cooper, make a splash in the United States and in the international scene. Artists create a new style called landscape mode. They draw the majestic American landscapes on sideways canvass. Education switched from a British point of view to an American point of view. Textbooks were published by an for Americans.
The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and England. Ending in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent, the war did not accomplish any of the issues it was being fought over. For the US, the War of 1812 seemed to just be one failure after another. Although the military suffered great failure during the war, these were the direct consequence of the failure of the citizens to unite for the causes of the war. Because of these failures, it is quite valid to call the War of 1812 "America's worst-fought war".
The victory of the War of 1812 was a huge leap toward America becoming its own nation because of the national unity the win provided its citizens. The morale of the citizens lifted greatly because they managed to defeat the greatest military powers of the world and managed to survive. It also proved to the world that the american nation could defend itself from foreign threats. The victory improved America’s self confidence and faith in the military to defend the natiosn freedom and honor.
America had suffered numerous devastating losses, such as the capture of Washington D.C. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war. The war of 1812 was known as the second war of independence and was called the beginning of an era of partisan agreement and national pride, or the “Era of good feelings”. “The Era of Good Feelings” was an inaccurate label for the selected time period.
After the U.S gained their independence form Britain, they faced the greatest obstacle that would threaten their independence. This was a second war fought against Great Britain called the War of 1812. The war was fought on land and on sea and lasted almost three years. There were many forces that led Americans to declare war on Britain in 1812.
As the United States developed into a world economic power, it also became a military and political power. Certain things led Americans to become more involved in world affairs, such as territorial growth. There were also consequences to the nation’s new role, like conflict between citizens and people of power. United States government and leaders had to learn the “hard way”, the challenges and negativity that they would face, such as loss of money and lack of control between certain nations, and the positive effects such as expansion of territory and alliances.
The War of 1812, also known as “Mr. Madison’s War”, was caused by three main disputes between the British and the Americans: several trade acts oppressing America’s trade with both France and Britain, the recruiting of unwilling American men into the Royal Navy, and the British support of Native Americans resisting expansion. Although the unfair actions of the British brought forth much animosity from many Americans, there were still a good number of people opposing the war. There were many arguments between several political parties, and disagreements about the war continued on through the duration of it.
The War of 1812 was one of the most insignificant wars in U.S. history which despite its failure to accomplish its strategic goals, the country showed the world that the U.S., military could stand up to the British on land. Bradford Perkins presented a short but brilliant account on the root cause of the war, by offering two thesis’s to support the claim that the land hunger, the loss of commerce, and national honor were the main causes. Right from the start Perkins argued that the war of 1812 was the product of resentment at various British actions which challenged American sovereignty on sea, and on land. He thus tries to explain how the two theories (land hunger and national honor) emerged, and the main issues which led to the cause of the war.
Although America did not win The War of 1812, due to the Battle of Lake Erie, they did not lose it. The war was caused by the impressment of American soldiers, blockades on American trade, and Indian slaughters on the American frontier. James Madison launched The War of 1812 so that the United States would not be taken advantage of, but by doing so, he took on an army fifty times bigger than his own. When it looked like America would lose the war, Oliver Hazard Perry turned the tables and won the deciding battle that allowed James Monroe to sign the Treaty of Ghent and bring peace to the two countries. Although the original conflicts were not solved, they dissipated over time. The War of 1812 may not have solved many problems, but it proved to American’s that they could stand together and prevail over injustice.
The War of 1812 was a war between Britain and the United States fought primarily in Upper Canada. It had many causes, few which involved British North America. The results of the war include the fact that there was no clear winner or loser among them. The only real losers in the situation were the Natives in the region. They were driven out of their lands and customs. None of the borders was changed by the war, though many attempts were made. The Treaty of Ghent, which ended the war, did nothing to advance the state of the countries. It went so far as to end the war and put things back the way that they were, but the main causes of the conflict were not addressed or dealt with. In order to evaluate the significance of this war, Canadian victories and losses, as well as overall results, must be analyzed.
...n American Literature. By Henry Louis. Gates and Nellie Y. McKay. 2nd ed. New York: W.W. Norton &, 2004. 387-452. Print.
...entually were unjustified and reasons manipulated. These factors, with others, caused the war of 1812, which finally put to rest the age old conflict between the British and the United States of America.
The War of 1812 helped bring back America's patriotism. The War Hawks, led by Henry Clay and John Calhoun, brought strong nationalism with them. This nationalism was linked from the replaced American patriotism. After the war America got a better sense of patriotism as well as some respect around the world. The countries around the world
It is somehow strange for today’s reader to find out that the situation with America’s foreign affairs hasn’t changed much. As some clever people have said, “The History book on the shelf is always repeating itself.” Even after nineteen years, Americans think of themselves as citizens of the strongest nation in the world. Even after the September the 11th. Even after Iraq. And Afghanistan.
War of 1812. In (2011). Columbia electronic encyclopedia (6th ed.). Columbia University Press. Retrieved from http://web.ebscohost.com.libproxy.troy.edu/ehost/detail?vid=4&hid=19&sid=55c26b42-7cb0-45da-8e2e-c574f1fe28ae@sessionmgr10&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZQ==
The Treaty of Ghent supports the notion that the essential long-term national interests of both parties are the most important factor in peace treaty success. Both the United States and Great Britain clearly perceived that they had real grievances and cause for war in 1812. However, within a short time, both nations realized they had a greater interest in peace without regard to most of the issues that provoked the conflict.