War Of 1812 Dbq

There were several forces that led Americans to declare war on Great Britain in 1812. There were many reasons why the United States declared war on Britain. The reasons for this is because Britain refused to stop seizing American vessels that traded with France, Britain's enemy in Europe. In addition, The United States was furious to see that Britain was responsible for the seizures of American sailors. The United States had enough of Britain interfering with their trade, disrespecting the American neutrality, and victimizing American citizens to fateful violence. Therefore, the United States declared war. This will later be known as the War of 1812!

The majority of Britain's forces were battling the soldiers of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe.

The United States ran into a big issue, they were not ready for war! Also, the United States hadn’t fought a war or felt the needs of an army, for a long time. Only 8,000 American soldiers were present. Furthermore, the younger soldiers did not know much about the war and felt obfuscated. Then, the United States had only a few warships to face the British navy, which was the most powerful naval force there was! The American people had their own political views on the war, their own inputs, insights, and division. Further, many Americans supported the Madison administration, the embargo was no good so they resulted in the Non-intercourse Act to ban trade with only Britain and France. However, the American people knew that they had to do something to maintain their honor. Lastly, the American people also knew they needed to put an end to the British practice of impressment. Also, in New England, most of the people supported the opposition party, the Federalists, and they were not so happy about the war. In elucidation, they felt that it was really being constructed for illegitimate reasons, that diplomacy could have just papered over the disagreement over impressment. Lastly, not only did they refuse to take part in any of the war effort, but they wanted to block it to the best of their abilities. Church bells were rung and flags were lowered in New England when the declaration of war was announced.
Fast-forwarding, an American general named William Hull led 2,000 men across the Canadian border.

However, the British general, there was prepared, and the attack ended in failure. Although General Hull had a much stronger force and plenty of supplies, he then retreated to Detroit. Further, he was being tailed by a smaller force of British soldiers and Indians. After the war, Hull was brought to a military court and charged with cowardice. The court found him guilty and ordered him to death. However, the president, because of Hull's service during the Revolutionary War, allowed the soldier to live. In addition, an attack on America was made from Fort Niagara, which was a military post in New York on the shore of Lake Ontario. Also, a small group of American soldiers crossed the Niagara River and brutally attacked the British. Correspondingly, some Americans from New York did not want to cross the border to help against the British. They calmly watched as British soldiers shot down the attacking Americans. British forces at this time were winning victories. In other words, they captured an American fort in northern Michigan. Also, the Indians, fighting for the British, managed to capture a fort at the place now known as Chicago. The Americans found themselves trying hard to keep the British out of the state of Ohio, but this task wasn’t

easy.
For a while, the small American Navy did better than the Army. Further, just months after the war started, the United States warship Constitution ordained a British ship to surrender. In fact, a couple more months later, another American ship, the Wasp, captured the British ship, Frolic. Then, a warship, the United States, defeated one of Britain's most popularized combat ships, the Macedonian. The British ship was captured and brought to the United States. Gladly, there happened to other victories at sea, the United States Navy had captured six British ships and lost only one vessel. By the middle of 1813, one year after the war started, British ships were in full control of the East coast. There was no American ship that was permitted to enter or leave any port south of New England. Meanwhile, the military situation was improving for the Americans in what was then the West. William Henry Harrison, who was the governor of the Indiana territory, formed a large force to try to seize Detroit from the British. At the same time, Captain Oliver Perry built five warships on Lake Erie. With these warships, including the ones he already owned, he met and defeated a British naval force.
Perry reported his victory to Harrison: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." Perry's victory and Harrison's large force forced the British to withdraw from Detroit and from a British fort at Malden, in Canada.

Harrison's men continued to chase the enemy as a result. By all means, they eventually caught them and defeated them in the battle of the Thames. The great Indian leader was killed in this battle, Tecumseh, who had been fighting for the British. In Late 1813, the British soldiers crossed the river and captured Fort Niagara. Also, they burned the town of Buffalo. By April 1814, Napoleon was forced from power in Europe. Further, the war between France and Britain was over. Although, the end of the war in Europe permitted Britain to send many of its soldiers to fight against the United States. In addition, about 4,000 British soldiers landed on the Chesapeake coast, southeast of Washington. They met American forces inland at Bladensburg, which was a town not so far from Washington. The British soldiers broke through the American lines, and the Americans retreat. However, a group of sailors refused to retreat with their artillery. 400 sailors chose to stand, fight, and show no fear. The struggle did not last long against the 4,000 British soldiers. The commanders of the British force took a group of men to the Capitol building and set in a blaze. Then, the commanders went to the White House with the same intention and the same motives. Furthermore, before setting

the president's home on fire, a British commander took one of President Madison's hats and the seat from one of Dolley Madison's chairs. Although President Madison was gone, he had fled the White House. Madison knew he had to make a grand escape, he crossed the Potomac River and headed toward his home in Virginia. There, he joined his wife on the road the second day and they decided to wait in hiding by keeping a decent distance away from Washington. Moreover, when President Madison returned to the capital days later, the British had withdrawn. They had also burned down most public buildings. Then, the British coastal force attacked the city of Baltimore. Fast-forwarding, the British were unable to destroy the fort and called it quits. A man by the name of Francis Scott Key was amazed to see that the American flag was still standing there at Fort McHenry. Mr. Key made a poem in tribute of what he witnessed. Additionally, the poem will soon rise to fame and be used as a form of music. Then, people would refer to the song as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Now, the War of 1812 did not settle an issue and it ended without major compromises by either side. However, the only things that would probably be different in this day of age are our alliance with the British or even other countries. Also, the way we trade nowadays could’ve been different. Lastly, the freedom and the peace that American citizens have could have been in the hands of the British. Furthermore, the United States would not have been totally different till’ this day. In conclusion, although no one won the war of 1812 there was still a dynamic impact it had on America; therefore, the citizens of the United States shall learn from Perry reported his victory to Harrison: "We have met the enemy, and they are ours." Perry's victory and Harrison's large force forced the British to withdraw from Detroit and from a British fort at Malden, in Canada. Harrison's men continued to chase the enemy as a result. By all means, they eventually caught them and defeated them in the battle of the Thames. The great Indian leader was killed in this battle, Tecumseh, who had been fighting for the British. In Late 1813, the British soldiers crossed the river and captured Fort Niagara. Also, they burned the town of Buffalo. By April 1814, Napoleon was forced from power in Europe. Further, the war between France and Britain was over. Although, the end of the war in Europe permitted Britain to send many of its soldiers to fight against the United States. In addition, about 4,000 British soldiers landed on the Chesapeake coast, southeast of Washington. They met American forces inland at Bladensburg, which was a town not so far from Washington. The British soldiers broke through the American lines, and the Americans retreat. However, a group of sailors refused to retreat with their artillery. 400 sailors chose to stand, fight, and show no fear. The struggle did not last long against the 4,000 British soldiers. The commanders of the British force took a group of men to the Capitol building and set in a blaze. Then, the commanders went to the White House with the same intention and the same motives. Furthermore, before setting the president's home on fire, a British commander took one of President Madison's hats and the seat from one of Dolley Madison's chairs. Although President Madison was gone, he had fled the White House. Madison knew he had to make a grand escape, he crossed the Potomac River and headed toward his home in Virginia. There, he joined his wife on the road the second day and they decided to wait in hiding by keeping a decent distance away from Washington. Moreover, when President Madison returned to the capital days later, the British had withdrawn. They had also burned down most public buildings. Then, the British coastal force attacked the city of Baltimore. Fast-forwarding, the British were unable to destroy the fort and called it quits. A man by the name of Francis Scott Key was amazed to see that the American flag was still standing there at Fort McHenry. Mr. Key made a poem in tribute of what he witnessed. Additionally, the poem will soon rise to fame and be used as a form of music. Then, people would refer to the song as “The Star-Spangled Banner.” Now, the War of 1812 did not settle an issue and it ended without major compromises by either side. However, the only things that would probably be different in this day of age are our alliance with the British or even other countries. Also, the way we trade nowadays could’ve been different. Lastly, the freedom and the peace that American citizens have could have been in the hands of the British. Furthermore, the United States would not have been totally different till’ this day. In conclusion, although no one won the war of 1812 there was still a dynamic impact it had on America; therefore, the citizens of the United States shall learn from this event and realize that the aftermath of the war provided an economic boost to the capabilities of the country and how education in the political segments are carried out.