Introduction With the ongoing battles between England and France in the early 19th century, the newly formed United States found itself thrust in the middle of this struggle. In the early part of the century Napoleon was on a mission to once again establish a mighty French empire of early years. But with the build up of the royal British Navy the English were trying fiercely to hold Napoleon in check. The United States was determined to stay neutral and continue its trading with both nations. However several mandates passed by both France and England made this very difficult. With England’s naval blockade and the repeated search and seizure of American trade vessels, the United States, led by an aggressive group of leaders in congress known as the Young War Hawks, took a very aggressive approach to Britain and its royal navy. However, the War Hawks and President Madison also had plans of expansion in mind, to extend its boarders to the North Pole, home to royal colonies of the now hated Great Britain. With this plan and the negative feeling toward Britain, the war was just around the corner. And in June of 1812, a full-fledged war was upon them. The war, which lasted approximately two years, was a very bloody and costly battle to both the United States and Britain. Systematic Analysis To begin to look at this war we must take a look at the system the world was in at the time. The world was dominated by a bi-polar system, with France and England being the two poles. However you also had another player in the system, Russia. Although not quite as powerful as either of the top two, but if thrown in the mix could tip the scales toward one side or the other. The United States at this time preferred to practice a policy of isolationism, and stay out of the turbulent affairs of Europe. The constant struggle between the French and the British dominated the world scene. The French who were led by Napoleon were trying to establish an empire and dominate all of Europe. This struggle had been raging since the turn of the century. The British as in any bi-polar system were dead set on preventing this from happening. With the United States only a minor player in the international system at the time there was nothing the United States could do in this affair except continue its policy of neutrality, and isolationism. With a bi-polar international system, you are always i... ... middle of paper ... ...ithout the other. When looking at the system as a whole you provide ample proof that the bi-polar system is very unstable and susceptible to conflict at anytime, especially when the two powers are countries that have been at each other since their creation. Each country is trying to gain dominance over the other. Napoleon would not stop his process until he accomplished his goal or was defeated. The state level also ties into the system, as the states goal was dominance or defeat. The United States tried to invade modern day Canada to increase it national territory and fought many bloody, deadly battles in order to accomplish this goal. Which they eventually failed and did not gain any territory but did not lose any either, the British also attempted to capture key cities and failed as well. Individual level you see how countrymen will rally in support of their country and this is plain and simply human nature. That is why when you look at the three levels they all are interlocked and must have one, in this war, to have the other. So in a war that was a defeat for France and a draw for the United States and Britain, each level was very prominent and a necessity in The War of 1812.
The US had then recently endured the military and pecuniary challenges that Britain and France had inflicted in the course of the Napoleonic
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.
America's war with Britain seemed inevitable although the Americans did everything they decently could to avoid it, although there seemed to be endless provocation by Britain, for example in 1807 when a British frigate, the leopard opened fire on an American frigate the Chesapeake. The choice before America, Jefferson the former president and his successor Madison agreed was war or submission - to fight or to undo one of the main achievements of the revolution and accept total defeat in international affairs to England. As John Quincy Adams put it "It was not a matter of dollars and cents, no alternative was left but war or the abandonment of our right as an independent nation" The offences committed against the United States were the major provocation's for the war, reasons other then vindication can be regarded as rationalisation. There was an obvious anger for what British had done to America and many Americans merely wanted revenge but the war was fought for much more then that.
International law was also a big part of United States neutrality during the war. Germany and Britain each sought to end U.S. trade with the other. With a series of what Berlin called "illegal" blockades, Britain gained the upper ha...
The War of 1812 otherwise known as the “Forgotten War”, was a three year military conflict between America, Britain and their Native allies. It was a relatively small war that arguably shaped a continent for centuries to come. Around the time of 1812 there was tension in and around America because of several controversial acts that Britain had passed out. Because of the Napoleonic Wars Britain had a “You are either with us or you are against us”, approach to other nations. However the British did whatever it took to get out of a war however that could not happen because of what they were doing. The British had forgotten America after the war of Independence and didn’t regard them as a powerful Nation. Their focus was on France however America managed to tangle themselves in this conflict between the two Nations by trading with the French. America wanted to make some money off France and had engaged in trade a while back. The British, because of their approach of dealing with other nations, had set up an embargo that made American ships pay a duty to the British before they could trade with the French. They had also engaged in what was called impressment in which they would take men of American ships, if the men had even the most vague connection to Britain they would take them hostage and put them on their own boats to go to war for the British. Theses acts angered the Americans and they wanted to go to war with Britain so a new breed of congress and government were put in place. They were called Warhawks, these men were more aggressive and were known to act before thinking. The Battle of Profits town had most probably been the tipping point for going to war, when Sir Governor William Henry Harrison and his militia had attacked P...
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 Outcomes of the War of 1812 Many historians have said that the War of 1812, a war fought between the United States and Great Britain, was "senseless and insignificant". This statement, for the most part, is not true. Without this war, many of the changes that were a result of the war, would not have taken place. The War of 1812 caused many important events to occur. These events were both direct and indirect.
This essentially left Britain as the only power that had not picked a side and therefore the deciding point for the balance of conflict. If they choose the Franco-Russian alliance, then the delicate balance of power that had so long existed would remain. Lafore explains the reasons in which Britain may have wanted to join either alliance and finally gives the reason for joining the Franco-Russian alliance by saying that the effects of the Boer war and other events had led Britain into an uncertain alliance with the two countries (140). Thus Britain, France, and Russia formed the Triple
Answer the following: Is it valid to call the War of 1812 "America's worst-fought war"? Was the cause of the failure essentially military, or was it an inevitable result of the political disunity over the war's purposes? Provide support for your stance and "discredit" the opposing view. Maximum of 2 pages/ 15 Points
The War of 1812, also known as “America’s Forgotten War” and “America’s Worst Fought War,” was fought between the U.S. and Great Britain over violations of the U.S. seafaring rights. The British intrusion with American fur trade and their illegal impressment of seamen off American ships severely strained Anglo-American relations in the years before the war. According to the New Standard Encyclopedia, “There is considerable disagreement as to why this ultimately led to war and what this war represented. (W.30)” The strongest pressure of war came from Congressional leaders known as “the War Hawks” who mainly represented the western frontier and the South. Their main interest was the conquest of Canada and Florida. The British encouraged and supported the Tecumseh Indians, who had inflicted severe losses, to bring them the scalps of the American soldiers that ultimately led to the Massacre of Fort Dearborn on June 18th, 1812. The war ended with the treaty of Ghent. According to the “Just War Theory” outlined in this essay-- this war was an unjust war.
Americans view the War of 1812 as the second war for independence because of British threats on American sovereignty. In 1806, Britain took advantage of the Americans by declaring the Orders in Council Act. The act indicated that any ships carrying goods to France would be seized. This act allowed Britain to seize approximately 1 000 American ships by late 1806. After this act, Brit...
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.
Our diplomatic relationships should be enduring and not end simply because we are entrenched in war. We must communicate with the UK, France, the Balkan states, Russia, and the US. Otto Von Bismarck insisted on alliances with Russia and Austria, which we have since lost. Russia is now fighting against us and our Allies, we need to make mending this relationship a priority since Russia threatens our physical security as a large geographical nation to our East. Our other priority should be to reconcile relations with the US after the interception of the telegram urging Mexico to begin a war with the US. By appeasing US relations we can insure they do not send troops to support the UK. A US backed army can make or break the results of the war. Along with Diplomatic measure, our information and intelligence are strategic aspects that can win the war for the Empire. The intelligence on the US can aid in our preparation for battle. Our morale is sinking but increased propaganda and promotion of our values and objectives can revitalize our soldiers and citizens to support the war effort. Our purpose in the war is diminishing in the eyes of our citizens and therefore is of utmost important to
Once again, Monroe’s position now caused him to focus on relations with Britain and France. At this time, these two countries were feuding, which of course affected U.S. trade and shipping with these countries. The U.S. especially wanted them to respect their trading prospects because of the United States’ neutrality. Ultimately, the U.S. declared war on Britain in June 1812. Many Americans, especially New Englanders, thought the war interrupted them from buying from European markets. However, both Madison and Monroe thought that the U.S. needed to resist the British’s attacking by force of arms
The French and Indian War or the Seven Years War was one of the major events that led to the American Revolution. The French and Indian War started in 1754 when George Washington and General Edward Braddock tried to defend the British land that they felt the French were taking with their expansion into the Ohio River valley. In 1755 Governor William Shirley of Massachusetts had many French settlers in the Nova Scotia region moved from that region to avoid any confrontation if these settlers sided with their home country. These people were exiled from their home and moved into British colonies in a very cruel and violent fashion. This is one of the first examples of Britain’s oppressive nature towards people they consider a threat to what they feel is the best solution. The British military effort, at this time, was not as impassioned or successful. Both George Washington and General Braddock suffered major defeats at the hands of the French and their allies, General Braddock was even killed in one of the early battles before this war was officially started. It was not until later in the war that the British were able to successfully defeat the French. The war officially began in 1756 and ended in 1763 but this war is far less important than the major event it caused. More than anything this war was the first step to the American Revolution.