The War of 1812 or the Forgotten War

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The War of 1812, also known as the Forgotten War or the Second War for Independence, was a two year battle that ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in Belgium December 1815. This battle was very similar to the American Revolution, since it too was a two front battle. The American’s were once again defending themselves from England and the Indians. Several events contributed to the start of the war and perhaps one of the biggest was the fact that Britain had declared America independent, but refused to treat them as an independent nation simply because they had trade agreements with France. As a result England pressured America to send supplies to them and then England would turn around and seize the French ships that were sailing to America with goods. This caused the young nation to suffer and the Americans were growing tired of the British interference. The British were also guilty of supplying resources, weapons, and a promise of free land to Indian tribes if they would retaliate against the Americans pre battle and later on during the war. Tecumseh, the leader of the Shawnee tribe, led numerous attacks on the American’s prior to the war and he worked closely with British forces. In 1811 Tecumseh decided to side with the British after William Henry Harrison and his men destroyed his home, Prophetstown, during the Battle of Tippecanoe. Tecumseh was led to believe that his people and their lands would be left alone after the war based on the promises given by the British; he never saw that freedom for he was killed later in 1813 during the Battle of Thames near Detroit. Britain was very forceful when it came to the trade of goods between America and France and they would not allow American vessels to travel directl... ... middle of paper ... ...e was able to convince free black men to fight alongside him. Jackson promised that they would receive the same benefits as the white men that were also fighting. After this battle had come to an end, they received news that the Treaty of Ghent had already been signed thus ending the war, so this battle was actually unnecessary. The treaty stated that nothing changed between Britain and the United States and that there would be no exchange of land. In conclusion, this war was considered to be a forgotten war simply because there was really no real winner only a loser and that was the Indians. After the war Americans proved, yet again, that they were and independent nation and that they were going to remain one. There was a short period of prosperity after the war and this period was known as the Era of Good Feeling and it also marked the end of the Federalist Party.

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