Back to the video list: North American History

 

The last military conflict between the United States and Great Britain started in 1812. After the British-American War the two afore-mentioned nations and Canada began to form a long-term alliance.

 

Video

 

 

Overview

  • Date: 18 Jun 1812 – 18 Feb 1815
  • Location: North America
  • Start: United States declare war on the United Kingdom
  • End: Treaty of Ghent

 

Parties & Persons Involved

  • United Kingdom, Canadian Militia & Indian allies
  • United States of America

 

Background

  • The United Kingdom is in war with France (Napoleonic Wars)
  • The Royal Navy forcibly recruits British sailors from American ships
    • British Perspective: Legitimate procedure because the sailors are British citizens
    • U.S. Perspective: Violation of U.S. sovereignty because the sailors are regarded as naturalised U.S. citizens
  • The British support Indian raids against the USA
  • U.S. national pride demands a “Second War of Independence“ (also see:The American Revolution)
  • The USA seek to extend her territory towards the west & north

 

History

  • 18 Jun 1812: USA declare war on the UK
  • 1812 – 1813: Successful single operations of the U.S. Navy
  • 1812 - 1813: The Royal Navy blockades important U.S. ports
  • 1812 & 1813: British troops, Canadian militias & Indians repulse several U.S. invasions, amongst others Battles of Queenstown, Chateauguay & Crysler‘s Farm
  • 16 Aug 1812: The British take Detroit
  • 22 - 23 Jan 1813: After the British victory in the Battle of Frenchtown Indians conduct the River Raisin Massacre & kill American prisoners of war
  • 05 Oct 1813: The Indian leader Tecumseh is killed in the Battle of the Thames (U.S. victory) which leads to the de facto end of the Indian engagement in the war
  • 10 Oct 1813: Oliver Hazard Perry gains control over Lake Erie
  • The British withdraw from Detroit
  • 18 – 19 Dec 1813: The British take Fort Niagara
  • 1814: U.S. Navy continues single operations with less success
  • 1814: Royal Navy blockades the entire U.S. coast
  • Jul – Sep 1814: The British conquer east Maine
  • 11 Sep 1814: The U.S. victory in the Battle of Plattsburgh repulses a British invasion
  • 19 Aug 1814: British forces land in the Chesapeake Bay & destroy Washington
  • 13 – 14 Sep 1814: The Royal Navy bombards Fort McHenry which is the origin of the U.S. National Anthem The Star-Spangled Banner
  • 24 Dec 1814: The Treaty of Gent restores the status quo ante vellum; Ratified on 18 Feb 1815
  • 08 Jan 1815: The Americans repulse a British attack on New Orleans
  • Jan – Mar 1815: Britain launches successful amphibious operations in Georgia

 

Consequences & Impact

  • The Treaty of Gent restores the status quo ante bellum
  • Growing of U.S. national pride through the “Second War of Independence“
  • Growing of the Canadian national pride because militias repulse several U.S. invasions
  • Sustainable & stable friendship between the USA, Canada & the United Kingdom on a military, political & economic level
  • The Indians are substantially weakened & cannot oppose the U.S. expansion to the west anymore