Not Your Average War: The War of 1812

Not Your Average War: The War of 1812

Often considered the Second War of Independence, The War of 1812 was a conflict between America and the British Empire. With ongoing battles between England and France in the 19th century (Napoleonic Wars), the infant United States who recently won their independence (1773-1783) found themselves in the middle of a ground-breaking war.

The war began to address problems the Americans were having with the British Empire; one of them being the failure to withdraw from the territory alongside the Great Lakes and no trade/commercial agreements were in America’s favor.

With tension growing between the sides, America declared war on Britain June 1812 and this war would span to January 1815 with what historians call “a no win victory”; nevertheless a movement in epic proportions to jump start America’s rich history.

In the events leading up to the war, America had recently won their Independence and with the Peace Treaty being signed (1783), America was on its way to building a better lifestyle for both its people and the country as a whole. In developing a country from the beginning you would assume that one would run into problems, and America

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was following suit in falling face first; but then President James Madison was determined to turn things around. James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836), served as the fourth American President and is considered by most as the “Father of the Constitution” and one of America’s founding father’s. Madison graduated from the College of New Jersey (Princeton University), in two years and was fluent in Latin, Philosophy with an emphasis on speech and debate; which would later on help in his journey in shaping America. Madis...

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... to the demise of MG Isaac Brock at the Battle of Queenstown Heights.

Fought in Alabama on March 27, 1814, the Battle of Horseshoe Bend combined United States forces and Indian allies with General Andrew Jackson as their leader. The Americans fought against the Red Sticks, a small part of the now defunct Tecumseh tribe of soldiers. Future United States Senator John Eaton wrote “This battle gave a death blow to the enemy’s hopes, nor did they venture afterwards, to make a stand…In this action the best and bravest of the warriors were destroyed”

Although the Red Sticks put up a brave fight, they were ultimately outnumbered and outwitted by General Jackson and his army. The Battle of Horseshoe Bend along with the Battle of New Orleans, help boost the confidence of the people therefore helping Andrew Jackson to his presidency.

Works Cited encyclopedia britannica