The War of 1812, referred to as America’s second war for independence, solidified the United States as a sovereign nation and had lasting implications on the national and international stages. The war ushered in the beginning of national unity and realigned the political parties of the young republic. It began to set in motion the relocation of Native Americans, the formation of boundaries, and allowed for western expansion. The United States was also able to successfully stop the British policies of trade restrictions and impressment, strengthening their diplomatic influence and foreign policy agenda. After the war, the federal government created policies of their own that would help grow the economy and end European colonization in the Americas. …show more content…
This is perhaps one of the more obscure wars in American history, but Americans have seen and felt its effects ever since. There were many provocations for the War of 1812. Many of them had a direct correlation with Britain's war against France during the Napoleonic Wars. Both nations imposed a series of economic sanctions against the United States, preventing the U.S. from trading with their enemy. But, the British also incorporated the practice of impressment which allowed them to seize American ships trading with France and press the crew into service for the British. They also supported the Native Americans desire to be an independent Native American state, slowing the progress of western expansion. While these issues angered Americans, war wasn’t necessary. Prior to war being declared by James Madison, President Thomas Jefferson was attempting to solve the issues through diplomatic actions by imposing an embargo. Unfortunately, that hurt the U.S. economy worse than Britain's or France's. More aggressive politician’s began to get elected to congress. These “War Hawks” had a desire for northern expansion into Canada and believed that war was the only way to deal with Britain and expand the U.S. territory. On June 18th, 1812, James Madison signed the declaration of war into law. During the course of the war, there were many American loses due to the unpreparedness of the military. But, much of the national identity was created during that war. The war produced the national anthem, the iconic White House, and today’s symbol of american strength in the national military.
All American’s know the national anthem. The Star Spangled Banner is taught at an early age. But, many don’t think of the words and how they came to be. The anthem was written by Francis Scott Key as a poem called “Defense of Fort McHenry”, after he witnessed the Battle of Baltimore in 1814. For 25 hours the British bombarded Fort McHenry. The area filled will smoke. As the sun began to rise, Key thought he would see the British flag flying from the fort. Instead, it was the American flag, whose broad stripes and bright stars could be seen at the dawn’s early light. Expressing his emotion in a letter, Key writes: “Sometime must yet elapse before anything definite might be ascertained. At last it came. A bright of gold mingled with crimson shot athwart the eastern sky, followed by another, and still another, as the morning sun rose in the fullness of his glory, lifting “the midst of the deep” crowning a “Heaven-blest land” with a new victory and grandeur.” (Letter to John …show more content…
Randolph) His full poem is 4 verses and was quickly adopted as a patriotic song. It wasn’t until 1931 that Congress passed a resolution making it the official national anthem. Just as in Baltimore, an attack by the British would lead to tragedy, paving the way to one of the most iconic buildings in the world. The White House was first occupied by President John Adams in 1800 and it was originally referred to as the Executive Mansion. The building was created from sandstone, giving it a grey and tan color, not the distinctive white it is now. On August 24, 1814, the British seized control of Washington D.C. and burned many of the public buildings including the White House. Prior to the capture of D.C. James Madison left the capital to meet with one of his Generals. He left his wife, Dolley Madison, at the Executive Mansion to take care of herself, “and of the cabinet papers, public and private”(Dolley Madison Letter). As the British moved in closer, she grabbed what she could, including a portrait of George Washington and fled the capital. After arriving at the Executive Mansion, the British forces ate a dinner meal that was prepared for that day. Then they stack the chairs on a table and lit the building on fire. The following day severe storms force the British to retreat back to their ships. In the aftermath of the destruction, the Executive Mansion was repaired and given a white wash that gives it the signature appearance everyone knows. The building remained the Executive Mansion until 1901 when Theodore Roosevelt renamed it the White House. This defeat, along with many others during the war, was a direct reflection of the government's belief that a national military was not necessary. Many influential individuals believed that a strong national military would lead to dictatorship, including Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson, believing diplomacy was superior than military might, greatly decreased the American Army and Navy. This reduced military would remain until well into the war of 1812. The American Army suffered many defeats throughout the war, due to congressional neglect in terms of the spending for a national defense. However, the Navy was proving itself very formidable. Although the American Navy only had 16 ships compared to the British Navy of 600 ships, they were able to defeat the British in multiple naval engagements. The success of the American navy was reported in the British Naval Chronicle: “It must be allowed the Americans have fought us bravely at sea, they have almost in every instance been successful; and there cannot be a doubt they will speedily become a respectable, and ere long, truly formidable naval power”(The Daily Signal) At the end of the war the cost of waging the conflict was more expensive than if the United states had invested in a prepared military.
In order to prevent congress from defunding the military once again, President Madison suggested that long-term defense programs be put in place. In a special message to congress, Madison states: “The wisdom of Congress will therefore, I am confident, provide for the maintenance of an adequate regular force, for the gradual advancement of the naval establishment, for improving all the means of harbor defense, for adding discipline to the distinguished bravery of the militia, and for cultivating the military art in its essential branches, under the liberal patronage of Government.” Congress later approved a measure to drastically increase the Navy and Army. While these two organization were beginning to flourish, another group was beginning to
disappear. Native American’s played a large role in the War of 1812. Prior to the war, American expansionism began to move west and into the south, threatening many Native tribes. Due to the Natives concern of losing their lands, most tribes aligned themselves with the British. They hoped an alliance with the British would bring an end to America’s expansion and protect their interests. One of the most import Native American leaders during the war was a Shawnee war chief named Tecumseh. Tecumseh created a coalition of more than two dozen indian tribes and aligned that coalition with the British, hoping to create an independent Native American state. Together with the British, they engaged in many battles against the American’s, often leading to victory. However, in 1813, Tecumseh was killed at the Battle of the Thames after being deserted by the British. His death and defeat was the beginning of the end for the Native’s campaign to stop American expansionism. After the war, the U.S. was unimpeded in striking treaty’s with hundreds of tribes. These tribes would continue to be pushed westward and eventually the relocation of Natives and ceding of their land would result in the creation of reservations. Not only did the result of the war allow the U.S. government to continue its expansion westward, it also allow them to adopt a stronger foreign policy and reinforce their claim to sovereignty.
The victory of the War of 1812 was a huge leap toward America becoming its own nation because of the national unity the win provided its citizens. The morale of the citizens lifted greatly because they managed to defeat the greatest military powers of the world and managed to survive. It also proved to the world that the american nation could defend itself from foreign threats. The victory improved America’s self confidence and faith in the military to defend the natiosn freedom and honor.
America had suffered numerous devastating losses, such as the capture of Washington D.C. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war. The war of 1812 was known as the second war of independence and was called the beginning of an era of partisan agreement and national pride, or the “Era of good feelings”. “The Era of Good Feelings” was an inaccurate label for the selected time period.
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.
They were attacking some of America’s forts. Instead of fighting back, the American's hung the American flag out to symbolize their freedom. All night, the British bombs, guns, and cannons exploded in the night, giving off enough light to illuminate the night sky and see that the flag was still proudly standing. The British had failed to tear down the fort’s wall, exemplifying that Great Britain could not suppress the idea of freedom for the United States. After that, a patriot by the name of Francis Scott Key, who was a lawyer and public servant wrote The Star-Spangled Banner. In it, he included “the land of the free and the home of the brave.” He wrote those words in 1814, but it still took almost a century to input it into the making of the Star-Spangled Banner. The Star-Spangled Banner has a special place in American's hearts because it shows how brave the United States was and still is. It shows that when we are united, nothing can break us
The War of 1812 and the Monroe Doctrine both played prominent roles in solidifying the United States as an independent and free nation. The War of 1812 showed to the world that America was capable of defending itself, as well as demonstrating that the country could function without Great Britain’s presence. The War of 1812 is commonly referred to as the “Second War of American Independence,” because of the obstacles the Americans had to endure to chase their former mother country away. America did not appreciate England blocking seaports, disrupting trade, as well as kidnapping American sailors (impressment). So America declared war, and proved its independence furthermore by successfully beating the world’s strongest military force again.
Unfortunately, the President’s consistency with Republican principles in matters of political power was not nearly as strong as his resolve to reduce the national debt. Under Jefferson and Madison, the federal government assumed political powers that the Constitution did not allot for. While prior to his presidency, Jefferson, then a strict constructionist had argued that the government should not assume any power unless specifically provided for in the Constitution, the Louisiana Purchase where America purchased a vast tract of land for $15 million, compromised these lofty ideals. In terms of the military, Thomas Jefferson had come to power vowing to reduce military size and power. Contrary to those principles, the Barbary War, where for nearly three years the American military exercised a naval blockade of the North African coast wasted millions of dollars of the people’s money and unconstitutionally violated states rights and strict constructionist principles, in their place asserting an alien un-Republican nationalism.
The French and Indian war, also better known as the seven year war, was in 1754. It all began in the early spring of 1754 through 1763, when George Washington and some 160 Virginians and hand full of Mingo Indians started to move when they were concerned about the French military presence in their county. The battle first started when a Mingo chief, the Indian leader that was with George Washington in his campaign, led a unit of soldiers into a small French encampment in the woods. It was a very small battle but, the fight ended up with 14 French men wounded. While Washington was trying to get all the available information from their French dying commander to help their plans in the war, the Indians killed and scalped the remaining survivors including the commander.
...o captivating. Additionally, it does make an extensive number of appearances at various ceremonies and great events, such as the opening ceremonies of sporting events and national holidays such as Independence and Memorial Day. However, “The Star Spangled Banner” embodies a much broader and more abstruse, cryptic connotation. It illustrates America’s attitude of perseverance when facing seemingly indomitable adversities or unachievable ambitions. It represents America’s unfaltering faith, traditional values, and ethical laws that have come to characterize America’s individuality. It signifies America’s past, a historic reminder that unites the people and instills, in their hearts, a profound sense of patriotism and glory. Most of all, “The Star Spangled Banner” symbolizes the truth of what America truly means–“the land of the free and the home of the brave”.
As seen in Document C, Congress had so little money that it couldn’t afford to pay the army their bonuses. The army, of course, was discontented in this lack of action and thought they were being treated unjustly. The delay was so slow that the army did not think they were going to get paid. This, in itself, exhibits the great need for the national government to acquire the power to tax.
The War of 1812, sometimes referred to as “The Second War of Independence,” was one of the bloodiest, yet most pointless wars in American history. After 32 months of Americans fighting for a change in the relationship between Britain and the U.S., the war ended with a treaty that left many of the original conflicts unresolved. Although the war had no obvious victor, it boosted American nationalism and patriotism, something much needed after only 39 years of independence. However, British interferences with American trade, and the cost of war materials had a negative impact on the United State's economy. America’s geographic location, in relation to Canada and New York, played a key role in defense against British attacks. Whoever gained control of the Niagara peninsula that connected these two territories would have an advantage over the other nation.
There were several proposals for conscription in the War of 1812. Conscription was close to being enacted when the war ended. The plans essentially involved shifting some of the burden of financing the military to individual classes of twenty-five men. If a member of a class could not be induced to volunteer, the class would pay a tax based on its members' wealth.
...entually were unjustified and reasons manipulated. These factors, with others, caused the war of 1812, which finally put to rest the age old conflict between the British and the United States of America.
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.
The solution adopted was two-fold. First, Congress would have the power to raise an army but no appropriation of money for that use could be for more than two years. Because the people controlled the House of Representatives and the Senate, and Congress controlled the purse, the people were given an effective check against the dangers of a standing army. The second check against the dangers of a standing army was provided by the existence of the militia. Again, however, the necessity of providing for the common defense had to be satisfied while guarding against the national government's abuse of power.
Second, this is the very reason the Constitution prohibits the creation of a standing army, funded for more than two years, and