History

Further, Daughan covers the British blockade on American ports and the Napoleonic Wars. First, the British blockade on 1813 made difficult for American flagships to leave ports because the British Navy blocked almost all American ports with the exception of New England which provided goods to the British Navy during the war. Secondly, Daughan adds that the Napoleonic wars had a major impact on the American local war; exclusively, Napoleon’s defeat in Russia gave more confidence to Britain for supporting the War of 1812 longer. In contrast, A.J. Langguth did not include in his book, Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence, any international aspect that might influence the War of 1812.

Daughan’s book includes important land battles such as the one on Bladensburg that took place in order to defend Washington City; the convenient American triumph on New Orleans and the negotiations for the treaty of peace on Ghent. At the end, the author implies the importance of the War of 1812 as the major reason for political union in the republic which favored to establish strong military and naval forces. This last statement coincides greatly with the conclusion of the book of Langguth about the sense of unity after the War of 1812.

Furthermore, the third book, which is Don’t Give Up the Ship! Myth of the War of 1812 by Donald R. Hickey, examines the myths that were originated from the War of 1812. The author covers each aspect of war with the same importance, that is, Hickey balances his book with information of the causes of the war, maritime and land battles, roles of the principal characters and the after effects of the war. Unlike Daughan whose focal point are the American victories of the naval battles. In the...

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...dds a naval glossary for a better understanding of the naval battles, since that is his main point. On the other hand, Hickey supports his arguments through a comparison and contrast of primary and secondary sources in order to expose the myth generated after the war. In general, after reading the three books, the reader acquires a better perspective of the War of 1812.

Certainly, the books as well as the films which I included in this work are essential to be considered in history classes. Instructors in the area of history should take advantage of these books and films because they provide more detailed and specific information of the War of 1812 than a textbook which merely cover the topic in brief. Besides that, schools should offer historical tours to the main locations where the war took place. All of these sources guarantee a well-grounded education.