Question 2: How did the War of 1812’s Battles play out?
The War of 1812 was played out in three “theatres”: at the American Border, at sea, and at the American South and Gulf Coast. Territory was invaded, but it was all given back when the Treaty of Ghent was signed and ratified. At first, the British assumed a defensive position, as most of their resources were being used for the Napoleonic wars going on in Britain. However, when Napoleon died in 1814, the British were able to bring out more offensive tactics. During the war, many First Nations families from both countries were driven out of their homes because they broke neutrality promises. They were also frowned upon when they didn’t support the war.
When the War of 1812 first began, Britain only had about 6,000 troops. The US outnumbered Britain 2:1, with a good 12,000 troops. Campaigns were held to almost triple that number to 35,000, but that didn’t work. In the US, anti-war speakers were booed, prosecuted, and insulted. Since the US wasn’t prepared fully for war, the national bank was disbanded to fund the war.
On July 12, 1812, American General William Hull lead 1,000 poorly trained militia to invade the town of Sandwich. 5 days later, the British led a bloodless capture on Michilimackinac. By August, the force of now 3,000 troops at Sandwich had to retreat to Detroit. However, when they arrived, they were forced to surrender Detroit and most of the Michigan area to Sir Isaac Brock and Shawnee war chief Tecumseh. A few months after the capture and surrender of Detroit, the US led retaliation against the Niagara Peninsula. On October 13, 1812, Isaac Brock led his troops to the Queenston Heights, where he was sniped by an American sharpshooter and killed instantly. The British, with newfound hatred and want for revenge, rallied themselves and charged up the Heights, defeating the American force. In late 1813, the Americans try to capture Montreal, but failed.
After this defeat, the US started to build warships to try and defeat the Royal Navy. Luckily for the US, this strategy works in their favor, and in very late 1813, the US had cut off most of Britain’s supply lines and had captured Lake Erie. In addition, on October 5, the Americans won the Battle of the Thames, and had killed Tecumseh, resulting in the destruction of the British-First Nations Coalition. However, things quickly turned around, when the British then cut off the US’s supply lines as well, and got British exports and imports moving again.
Britain also launched numerous raids on Chesapeake, which ultimately resulted in the burning of the Whitehouse. In early 1814, Napoleon passed away, freeing many British supplies for the War in Canada. With these new materials, George Prevost, Isaac Brock’s successor, launched a huge invasion on New York State. While this was going on, the US captured Lake Champlain and beat the British at the Battle of Plattsburgh. British invasions of Louisiana were defeated at the Battle of New Orleans. The last battle to take place was the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. It was the bloodiest battle of the war, and killed more than 2,000 people. It was fought completely in the dark, and the British won after the Americans surrendered and retreated.
Shortly after that battle, the Treaty of Ghent was ratified by both presidents, ending the war. By the end of the War, the Americans were holding onto Upper Canada, but the British kept Lower Canada and outnumbered troops there 10:1.
The War of 1812 was played out in three “theatres”: at the American Border, at sea, and at the American South and Gulf Coast. Territory was invaded, but it was all given back when the Treaty of Ghent was signed and ratified. At first, the British assumed a defensive position, as most of their resources were being used for the Napoleonic wars going on in Britain. However, when Napoleon died in 1814, the British were able to bring out more offensive tactics. During the war, many First Nations families from both countries were driven out of their homes because they broke neutrality promises. They were also frowned upon when they didn’t support the war.
When the War of 1812 first began, Britain only had about 6,000 troops. The US outnumbered Britain 2:1, with a good 12,000 troops. Campaigns were held to almost triple that number to 35,000, but that didn’t work. In the US, anti-war speakers were booed, prosecuted, and insulted. Since the US wasn’t prepared fully for war, the national bank was disbanded to fund the war.
On July 12, 1812, American General William Hull lead 1,000 poorly trained militia to invade the town of Sandwich. 5 days later, the British led a bloodless capture on Michilimackinac. By August, the force of now 3,000 troops at Sandwich had to retreat to Detroit. However, when they arrived, they were forced to surrender Detroit and most of the Michigan area to Sir Isaac Brock and Shawnee war chief Tecumseh. A few months after the capture and surrender of Detroit, the US led retaliation against the Niagara Peninsula. On October 13, 1812, Isaac Brock led his troops to the Queenston Heights, where he was sniped by an American sharpshooter and killed instantly. The British, with newfound hatred and want for revenge, rallied themselves and charged up the Heights, defeating the American force. In late 1813, the Americans try to capture Montreal, but failed.
After this defeat, the US started to build warships to try and defeat the Royal Navy. Luckily for the US, this strategy works in their favor, and in very late 1813, the US had cut off most of Britain’s supply lines and had captured Lake Erie. In addition, on October 5, the Americans won the Battle of the Thames, and had killed Tecumseh, resulting in the destruction of the British-First Nations Coalition. However, things quickly turned around, when the British then cut off the US’s supply lines as well, and got British exports and imports moving again.
Britain also launched numerous raids on Chesapeake, which ultimately resulted in the burning of the Whitehouse. In early 1814, Napoleon passed away, freeing many British supplies for the War in Canada. With these new materials, George Prevost, Isaac Brock’s successor, launched a huge invasion on New York State. While this was going on, the US captured Lake Champlain and beat the British at the Battle of Plattsburgh. British invasions of Louisiana were defeated at the Battle of New Orleans. The last battle to take place was the Battle of Lundy’s Lane. It was the bloodiest battle of the war, and killed more than 2,000 people. It was fought completely in the dark, and the British won after the Americans surrendered and retreated.
Shortly after that battle, the Treaty of Ghent was ratified by both presidents, ending the war. By the end of the War, the Americans were holding onto Upper Canada, but the British kept Lower Canada and outnumbered troops there 10:1.