War of 1812 War of 1812, conflict between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815. Fought over the maritime rights of neutrals, it ended inconclusively. Background Over the course of the French revolutionary and the Napoleonic wars between France and Great Britain (1793-1815), both belligerents violated the maritime rights of neutral powers. The United States, endeavoring to market its own produce, was especially affected. To preserve Britain's naval strength, Royal Navy officers impressed thousands of seamen from U.S. vessels, including naturalized Americans of British origin, claiming that they were either deserters or British subjects. The United States defended its right to naturalize foreigners and challenged the British practice of impressment on the high seas. Relations between the two nations reached a breaking point in 1807 when the British frigate Leopard fired on the USS Chesapeake in American territorial waters and removed, and later executed, four crewmen. In addition, Britain issued executive orders in council to blockade the coastlines of the Napoleonic empire and then seized vessels bound for Europe that did not first call at a British port. Napoleon retaliated with a similar system of blockades under the Berlin and Milan decrees, confiscating vessels and cargoes in European ports if they had first stopped in Britain. Collectively, the belligerents seized nearly 1500 American vessels between 1803 and 1812, thus posing the problem of whether the United States should go to war to defend its neutral rights. Americans at first prepared to respond with economic coercion rather than war. At the urging of President Thomas Jefferson, Congress passed the Embargo Act of 1807, prohibiting virtually all U.S. ships from putting to sea. Subsequent enforcement measures in 1808-1809 also banned overland trade with British and Spanish possessions in Canada and Florida. Because the legislation seriously harmed the U.S. economy and failed to alter belligerent policies, it was replaced in 1809 by the Non-Intercourse Act, which forbade trade with France and Britain. In 1810 Macon's Bill No. 2 reopened American trade with all nations, but stipulated that if one belligerent repealed its antineutral measures, the United States would then impose an embargo against the other. In August Napoleon announced the repeal of the Berlin and Milan decrees on the understanding that the United States would also force Britain to respect its neutral rights. Although Napoleon continued to seize American vessels in French ports, President James Madison accepted his statements as proof that French antineutral decrees had been lifted.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the conflict between the united states and great britain between 1812 and 1815. both belligerents violated the maritime rights of neutral powers.
- Explains that britain issued executive orders in council to blockade the coastlines of the napoleonic empire and then seized vessels bound for europe that did not first call at a british port.
- Explains how the embargo act of 1807 and subsequent enforcement measures in 1808-1809 harmed the u.s. economy and failed to alter belligerent policies. macon's bill no.
- Describes how napoleon announced the repeal of the berlin and milan decrees on the understanding that the united states would also force britain to respect its neutral rights. madison reimposed the ban on trade with britain in november 1810.
- Explains how poor planning, organization, and leadership undermined u.s. forces' strategy to invade canada between detroit and montréal.
- Explains that american forces had improved in quality and leadership by 1814. by late summer the united states faced invasions from combined army and naval forces at lake champlain and in chesapeake bay.
- Explains that britain and the united states agreed to commence peace negotiations in january 1814, but the talks were delayed until july. both nations began negotiations with unrealistic demands.
- Explains that the treaty of ghent failed to secure u.s. maritime rights, but in the century of peace in europe from 1815 until world war i they were not seriously threatened.
Related
- explanatory
- analytical
- opinion
- argumentative
- War Of 1812explanatory essayThe war of 1812 was a very important, yet overlooked war that had a great affect on the history of early America. The clash was between the United States, and the British forces. The War was unique in many ways; Britain was currently involved in another struggle called the Napoleonic Wars at the same time. And, In December of 1814, a peace treaty to end the war was established and signed. Interestingly, the last battle of the war, the Battle of New Orleans, was not fought until spring of 1815.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war of 1812 was an important, yet overlooked war that had a great impact on the history of early america.
- Explains that the status of relations between the united states and britain had been steadily decaying since 1783. the british blocked european ports to prevent american neutral shipping from helping the french commerce.
- Explains how the british developed stricter maritime blockades and the right to stop neutral vessels on the high seas to look for deserters.
- Explains how jefferson and madison tried to change british policies by restricting british imports and american exports to great britain. the embargo act was repealed and replaced with the nonintercourse act.
- Explains that the congress that was elected in 1810 and met in november 1811 included a group of politicians known as the war hawks who demanded war against great britain.
- Explains that american hopes of conquering canada collapsed in the campaigns of 1812 and 1813. the attacks were uncoordinated and all failed.
- Explains that american attempts to invade canada in 1813 were mostly unsuccessful. the only success was in the west, when the americans won control of the detroit frontier region.
- Explains that the united states faced complete defeat in 1814 because the british, having defeated napoleon, began to transfer large numbers of ships and experienced troops to america.
- Explains that the british were near success in the late summer of 1814. american resistance to the diversionary attack in chesapeake bay was so weak that they marched into washington, d.c., and burned most of the public buildings.
- Narrates how the british army retreated into canada fearing a severed line of communications.
- Explains that both sides had been negotiating a peace treaty for months. after receiving word of the retreat of their army in the battle of plattsburg bay, the british lost interest in continuing the war.
- Narrates how jackson led the american forces to a successful victory over the british, which earned him respect from the people.
- Explains that the war of 1812 was a difficult war for young nation, but despite the hardships, the united states flourished, and the american victory was soon followed by vast and prosperous westward expansion of settlement in america.
1384 wordsRead More - War of 1812explanatory essayList and discuss the events leading up to the War of 1812 and the impact it had on American and Great Britain relations, and the American economy.
In this essay, the author
- Describes the events leading up to the war of 1812 and the impact it had on american and great britain relations.
- Explains that america's anger began to focus mainly on the british, even though france was also involved.
- Describes how the war hawks were angered by the presence of native americans in the indiana territory.
- Explains that the american military was ill-prepared for war, but on january 8, 1815 hundreds of british troops died in the battle of new orleans, while only a handful of americans lost their lives.
416 wordsRead More - The Second Independence War: The War Of 1812explanatory essayThe War of 1812 was an armed conflict between the United States and Great Britain that lasted 3 years from 1812 till 1815. In this war, often labeled as “the second independence war”, there were a number of battles that cost both sides countless lives and resources. It followed a period of great tension between the two nations as a result of the treatment of neutral countries by both France and England during the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war of 1812 was an armed conflict between the united states and great britain that lasted 3 years.
- Explains how the indian conflicts in the old northwest merged into the wider conflict with britain, now known as the war of 1812. madison teetered between declaring either britain or france america’s primary enemy.
- Explains that the war of 1812 was a disagreement between the united states and great britain based on trade restrictions, taking u.s. soldiers into their navy against their will, and the british siding with the native american tribes against america’s expansion westward.
- Explains that the events caused a lot of commotion not only in the atlantic but also in canada and along the east coast of new england.
- Explains that the war hawks, newly elected by the congress of 1811, proposed an invasion of canada confident that victory would be theirs in 4 or so weeks.
- Describes how things were shifting in the favor of the united states as they gained some victories at sea.
- Describes how british troops sailed into the chesapeake bay and burned the whitehouse, the capital, and a newspaper office.
- Narrates how a number of british troops landed in louisiana in january 1815. they encountered general andrew jackson and his militia just outside of new orleans.
- Explains that the treaty of ghent, signed in december of 1814, put to rest some of the issues that led to the war.
- Explains that the united states gained new found respect from other countries for being able to withstand the powerful british forces even though they had shown how unready for the attack on canada.
1069 wordsRead More - The War of 1812analytical essayThe years Thomas Jefferson and James Madison took office were in many ways difficult for the United States. Several events which compounded upon each other lead to the American-British War of 1812 which ended officially in 1814 with the peace Treaty of Ghent. None of the issues which instigated war were really resolved and it would seem that for the US, the War of 1812 was just a series of failures and few triumphs that, in the end, cost the Natives more than anyone else.
In this essay, the author
- Opines that the american-british war of 1812 was a series of failures and few triumphs that cost the natives more than anyone else.
- Analyzes how the french-british war in europe set in motion trade embargoes and blockades in 1807 which severely restricted neutral countries trading with europe.
- Explains how the chesapeake-leopard conflict catalyzed the war of 1812. jefferson, u.s. president, made the embargo act which prevented americans from trading with any ports outside the united states.
- Narrates how the war hawks were infuriated by the neutrality of jefferson and madison. the war of 1812 started with the capture of the cuyahoga packet.
- Explains that the battle of tippecanoe resulted in indian tribes joining forces with the british against the americans.
- Explains that the war battles occupied upper canada and the northern region of the united states. the battle of york proved an immense success with the u.s.
- Explains that the most victorious battle for americans occurred after the war was declared over via the treaty of ghent in belgium on december 24, 1814. general andrew jackson defeated the british attempt at capturing new orleans on january 8, 1815.
- Explains that the war of 1812 gave americans the edge they needed to be respected by other countries that looked upon the infant country with doubt. the only real losers were the eastern native american indians who lost their homeland
1054 wordsRead More - War of 1812analytical essayWar of 1812: United States Wages War The American Revolution did not mark the end of tensions and hostilities between Britain and the newly independent United States. Neither country was pleased with the agreements made at the conclusion of the American Revolution. Americans were angry with the British for failing to withdraw their British soldiers from American territory and their unwillingness to sign trade agreements favorable to the United States.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the american revolution did not mark the end of tensions and hostilities between britain and the newly independent united states. americans were angry with the british for failing to withdraw their british soldiers from american territory.
- Explains that the division of land and the loss of the ohio river valley left canada and britain without access to the valuable fur trade.
- Analyzes how american resentment grew even more during the french revolutionary wars (1792-1802) and the napoleonic wars (1803-15).
- Explains that the neutral rights violations did not stop with british and french maritime policies. many sailors in the british royal navy had deserted and immigrated to the united states.
- Explains that belligerent armies are not to enter or engage in hostilities in a neutral nation and are subject to internment.
- Explains that the non-intercourse act expired and congress created a law that permitted trade with either france or england, whichever nation first promised to stop harassing american shipping.
- Explains that the war hawks were outraged over the british impressments and the orders in council. they passed laws that increased military spending and financial legislation that prepared the u.s. for war.
- Explains that the war hawks were western and southern lawyers and expansionists who welcomed a war with england. they wanted to end british impressments and legitimize attacks on the indians.
- Explains how america discovered how inadequately prepared they were for war with embarrassing uncoordinated loses after attacking canada.
- Narrates how america's attempts to attack canada were unsuccessful. u.s. forces regained control of detroit when perry’s fleet destroyed the british fleet on lake erie.
- Explains how the british defeated napoleon in 1814 and retreated into canada after defeating a british fleet.
- Explains that new england had been secretly trading with great britain, but had become overtly hostile and in opposition to the war. federalist extremists proposed amending the constitution to abolish the three-fifths clause.
- Explains that england sent troops by ship and met general andrew jackson in new orleans. jackson's forces conflicted between 2,000 and 3,000 casualties, while only sustaining fewer than 80.
- Analyzes how the treaty of ghent removed the first-nation indian state that acted as a barricade between the united states and canada.
1289 wordsRead More - Why we Fought in the War of 1812opinion essayWhy we Fought in the War of The war of 1812 is considered by some as "the second war for independence. "1 The United States had won its independence in 1783, but the British still treated the Americans as though they still had control of them. Americans resented the treatment they received from the British. They felt they were a free country and the British would not recognize them as so.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war of 1812 is considered by some as "the second war for independence." americans resented the treatment they received from the british.
- Explains that the controversy aboard the american frigate "chesapeake" led to the war of 1812. captain humphrey denied that there were british deserters aboard his ship.
- Explains that the boldest move in the events leading up to the war of 1812 can be contributed to american president thomas jefferson.
- Compares the non-intercourse act to the embargo act, which allowed the u.s. to trade with all other foreign countries.
- Explains that the war hawks were young, vibrant members of the twelfth congress who were enthusiastic about entering the war. they soon gained the respect and support of americans and pursued their beliefs that war was the solution to the conflicts the country was having with great britain.
- Explains that president james madison declared war on great britain on june 1, 1812, but the twelfth congress saw it appropriate to give the final verdict.
- Explains that the british were arraigned for impressing american seamen, violating american waters, establishing illegal blockades, employing a secret agent to subvert the union, and exerting malicious influence over the indians in the northwest territory.
- Compares james madison's actions to those of thomas jefferson. jefferson was trying to solve the conflict with great britain through economic solutions while madison used military means.
- Opines that the war of 1812 only accounts for a small amount of probable causes. there are many causes which can be attributed to the war and there are opinions on which causes are the most significant.
- Opines that the war of 1812 brought about many opinions throughout the united states. the war brought respect for the u.s. government in the way they handled the war.
- Cites coles, harry l, hickey, donald r, the war of 1812: a forgotten conflict.
1103 wordsRead More - The Effects Of The War Of 1812explanatory essayThe War of 1812 has always been a part of American history not very exiting to learn about for most Americans. It was a tumultuous time for the New Republic and some of the battles of the war shamed the new nation. The War of 1812 did not have the same glorious, honorable, and just cause of the American Revolution. The British made fools of the American people and even burned the Capitol and the White House, the centers of American politics, to the ground. However as shameful as the war was, it also had some good benefits and it demonstrated to Great Britain and the rest of the world that the United States of America was its own sovereign nation, and not some British Sphere of Influence. Although the treaty of Ghent failed to address the important issues that brought the United States to war, the War of 1812 helped the country improve itself internally by way of increased nationalism, greater industrialization and a more stable economy, and an overall safer nation.
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war of 1812 was a tumultuous time for the new republic and the british made fools of the american people and burned the capitol and white house, the centers of american politics, to the ground.
- Explains that after the war of 1812, the people of the united states of america began to take a greater pride in their country, and the basic american ideals and principles further developed during the "era of good feelings."
- Explains that the embargo act and the blockade during the war had halted american trade. the textile industry led the way with its large mills.
- Explains that the war of 1812 helped create a safer nation, besides nationalism and industrialization.
- Opines that the war of 1812 had no good consequences for american. it increased the country's nationalism and united its people.
871 wordsRead More - Battle of New Orleansargumentative essayWar 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==
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the united states declared war on great britain in june 1812 for several reasons, including the impressment of u.s. sailors on the high seas for use in the british navy.
- Explains how the british fought off a major offensive by british forces in baltimore at hampstead hill and fort mchenry.
- Describes how the british took a plantation as their base of operations, but the owner was able to escape, riding to new orleans to provide early warning to general jackson.
- Describes how the british were ready to overrun the american position but were unable to damage the heavily fortified american cannon positions. general pakenham ordered a withdrawal back to the plantation.
- Describes how the british were poised to make their final assault on the american line on january 8th.
- Opines that the lessons of the past should be learned, understood, and implemented into current doctrine.
- Analyzes how andrew jackson defends new orleans in war of 1812.
- Compares the casualties of the battle of new orleans to that of general jackson's forces.
- Cites king, d. c. (2002). new orleans: one of the most brilliant victories.
1691 wordsRead More - What Were The Mistakes Of Napoleon'sexplanatory essaywas under a state of blockade, meaning that Britain could no longer ship any goods to any
In this essay, the author
- Opines that britain should blockade ships around britain in order to stop trade and the influx.
- Explains that customs revenue went down, and other european nations had no access to any british made goods.
- Narrates how people became addicted to luxurious luxury products, and after some time after they became addicts.
- Explains that napoleon's first mistakes occurred between 1807 and 1810, when the only countries left to defeat were britain and russia.
- Describes napoleon's "berlin decrees" in 1806, which announced britain was under a state of blockade, meaning that britain could no longer ship any goods to any country.
- Explains that britain could still get goods shipped to french ports via the baltic and adriatic seas, as long as russia did not use this continental system. these dreams faded when russia signed the "treaty of tilsit".
- Explains that britain lifted trade bans to allow european grain to be sold in return, but with these limitations lifted britain started to smuggle again while they could. the continental system was not good for britain but worse for france.
- Narrates how the french tried to replace luxury items with sugar beet, and linen, but the population were not going to tolerate that. after the blockade, napoleon had no other choice but to lower the restrictions.
458 wordsRead More - World War Twoanalytical essayBritain, in their eagerness to starve out France, set up a series of blockades along the European coast.(2) These blockades sought to exclude neutral ships from trading with France and her Allies. The very powerful British Royal Navy would search American vessels, most times within sight of land. British deserters provided England with the excuse it needed to search American ships at sea. Desertions were commonplace in the Royal Navy, harsh treatment and punishments were a way of life to British seamen. In comparison, crews on American merchant vessels enjoyed much better treatment, lots of food, good pay and above all, limited punishment. Royal Navy boarding parties arbitrarily selected deserters who, for their crimes were whipped, strung up by the yardarm or keelhauled.(3) As a bonus, the British impressed, kidnapped would be a better word, the most fit and healthy among the American crews into the Royal Navy, and in most cases seized the cargo. Facing well armed British warships, American merchant ships were powerless to resist and were sometimes captured outright. This treatment of American people and vessels at sea would not go unnoticed by the newly formed colonies of the United States. In his speech to congress June 1,1812 President Madison anger at the British Royal Navy and their tactics on the open seas, was very apparent
In this essay, the author
- Explains that the war of 1812 was a war between the united states and great britain, despite the treaty of ghent.
- Compares how the british deserters provided england with the excuse it needed to search american ships at sea.
- Opines that the united states has in vain exhausted remonstrances and expostulations against this crying enormity, which great britain would avenge if committed against herself.
- Analyzes how madison's speech to congress cited violations of territorial waters, the blockade of european trade, and the british influence on indian uprisings in the west.
- Analyzes how congressman richard johnston's speech made clear the american dream of major conquest of north america. felix grundy concurred with him by stating he was willing to accept the canadians as adopted brethren.
- Explains that the war was a serious threat to canada, since only in north america the u.s. could hope to defeat the british.
- Explains that the canadians held a solid edge, despite the presence of the royal navy. the waterways proved to be an important key to communications and mobility.
- Explains that civilian moral was a problem throughout the war. while 'war hawks' cheered the declaration of war, new england and new york condemned it as "madison's war."
- Explains that poorly trained troops were not the major problem for the americans, it was their command. the seven generals commanding the army had seen better days.
- Explains that the american plan of invasion included four invasion forces that would cross the border at about the same time.
- Describes how general william hull, the governor of michigan and hero of the revolution, began marching north with 2000 militiamen and regulars from ohio.
- Explains how brock, an intelligent 27-year-old army veteran, saw that a defensive war with the u.s. was inevitable. brock took the offensive and invaded american territory to give confidence in the canadian people.
- Describes how brock's strategy to capture fort detroit was complete with ruses and tactics that played on fear and terror.
- Analyzes how brock's victory left the british in control of the great lakes allowing him to concentrate on the main frontier at niagara. hull was court-martialed, found guilty of cowardice, and sentenced to face a firing squad.
- Explains how brock's heroics didn't stop at detroit, where he believed the americans were preparing to attack. brock, even in death, inspired his troops to victory at queenston.
- Analyzes how van rensselaer's defeat at queenston was a severe blow to the american war effort.
- Explains that the failure of the u.s. to their objectives of 1812 led to the replacement of dr. eustis by john armstrong.
- Explains that the british were on the defensive in 1813 but did manage to engage the enemy in several separate offensive actions.
- Analyzes how armstrong's replacement, major general james wilkinson, was called in by secretary armstrong to succeed where dearborn had failed.
- Describes how the les voltigeur canadians, under the command of lieutenant colonel charles d'irumberry de salaberry, used unique tactics to defeat hampton.
- Describes how hampton's plan to counteract the voltigeur harassment was to send 1500 men through the swamp and bush to flank the canadians.
- Analyzes how wilkinson and his planned invasion of montreal were met by a brilliant young british officer, col. j. w. morrison, at chrysler's farm on the banks of the st. lawrence river.
- Explains that the american failure to take montreal was a result of disagreements between general wilkinson and his subordinate general hampton.
- Explains that the american dream of a north american republic had failed to secure even the border of canada. britain employed the powerful british royal navy to bring the war to an effective conclusion.
- Explains that the russian leader alexander i offered to mediate between great britain and the united states. the treaty of ghent was signed christmas eve 1814, bringing an end to war in north america.
- Analyzes how the treaty of ghent did not achieve the objectives for which the u.s. had gone to war. inept leadership, poor planning and the failure to unite their country led to the downfall of the americans.
- Explains that the battles on the border were a contest between ill-organized numbers on american side and professional skill on ours. upper canada was saved in the campaign of 1812 because the province was better prepared for war than the united states.
- Opines that the war of 1812 was a victory for canada and promoted national pride and unity for all canadians.
4687 wordsRead More