The War of 1812
The War of 1812 was remarkable in a number of ways. It began after its primary reason was resolved. It ended before its most famous battle was fought. It gave us our National Anthem and it gave us our favorite First Lady.
James Madison was president in 1812 and compelled Congress to declare war on England over the policy of impressments. The British Navy was hijacking American merchant ships and forcing their crews to serve on British warships. This was an act of war. The British Parliament voted to end the practice. However, news travelled slow in 1812. Before news of the Parliament vote reached America, the United States declared war on England.
The British partially paid for the war by capturing American citizens and demanding ransom. Francis Scott Key was on board a British prison ship, paying for his brothers' release, when the bombardment of Fort McHenry commenced. He listened to and felt the power of the British bombardment and wondered how anyone could survive it. When daylight broke and he saw the American flag still flying, he found a pen and started to write the most important poem in American history...Oh say can you see, by the dawns' early light, what so proudly we hailed, at the twilights' last gleaming...
Thwarted at Fort McHenry, the British attack force sailed toward Baltimore. The Brits took the poorly defended city and marched toward the Capitol, which was also poorly defended. The hero of the battle of Washington was not a great general or even a courageous troop. There really wasn’t even a battle, other than the British army against a few brave militia. The result was never in doubt.
The hero of the battle was Dolly Madison. She remained in the White House and oversaw the removal of important documents and artifacts. The portrait of George Washington that still hangs in the White House today, was saved by Dolly Madison. The Brits burned the White House to the ground.
The United States and England were finally able to put aside their differences and declare peace. Impressments stopped and other grievances were addressed. All was well. Except news travelled slow in 1814 and the British attack force off the coast of New Orleans didn't know the war was over. Neither did American commander Andrew Jackson.
Jacksons' troops were ready for attack. They held entrenched positions on favorable ground. When the Brits marched through the swamps, they were slaughtered. The battle of New Orleans went decisively to the Americans. The outcome of New Orleans would not have affected the peace agreement regardless of who won. However, the Americans beat the crap out of the Brits. That was the last time Americans ever opposed British troops in battle. We have been allies ever since.
The War of 1812 had several historical consequences. It shouldn't be forgotten.
James Madison was president in 1812 and compelled Congress to declare war on England over the policy of impressments. The British Navy was hijacking American merchant ships and forcing their crews to serve on British warships. This was an act of war. The British Parliament voted to end the practice. However, news travelled slow in 1812. Before news of the Parliament vote reached America, the United States declared war on England.
The British partially paid for the war by capturing American citizens and demanding ransom. Francis Scott Key was on board a British prison ship, paying for his brothers' release, when the bombardment of Fort McHenry commenced. He listened to and felt the power of the British bombardment and wondered how anyone could survive it. When daylight broke and he saw the American flag still flying, he found a pen and started to write the most important poem in American history...Oh say can you see, by the dawns' early light, what so proudly we hailed, at the twilights' last gleaming...
Thwarted at Fort McHenry, the British attack force sailed toward Baltimore. The Brits took the poorly defended city and marched toward the Capitol, which was also poorly defended. The hero of the battle of Washington was not a great general or even a courageous troop. There really wasn’t even a battle, other than the British army against a few brave militia. The result was never in doubt.
The hero of the battle was Dolly Madison. She remained in the White House and oversaw the removal of important documents and artifacts. The portrait of George Washington that still hangs in the White House today, was saved by Dolly Madison. The Brits burned the White House to the ground.
The United States and England were finally able to put aside their differences and declare peace. Impressments stopped and other grievances were addressed. All was well. Except news travelled slow in 1814 and the British attack force off the coast of New Orleans didn't know the war was over. Neither did American commander Andrew Jackson.
Jacksons' troops were ready for attack. They held entrenched positions on favorable ground. When the Brits marched through the swamps, they were slaughtered. The battle of New Orleans went decisively to the Americans. The outcome of New Orleans would not have affected the peace agreement regardless of who won. However, the Americans beat the crap out of the Brits. That was the last time Americans ever opposed British troops in battle. We have been allies ever since.
The War of 1812 had several historical consequences. It shouldn't be forgotten.
posted by BoiseJag at 2:31 PM
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