The War of 1812: US Independence from Britain

Britain's Conflicts with France and the United States

• Britain's conflict with France affected the United States' ability to trade with other countries.
• Napoleon ordered European nations under French control to stop trading with Britain in 1806.
• Britain responded by using its naval power to block cargo ships entering or leaving European ports.

Restrictions on Trade

• Britain issued laws called Orders in Council in 1807, which called for neutral nations to stop trading with France and its allies.
• The United States, as a neutral nation, stopped trading with France and its allies.

Tecumseh and Tenskwatawa

• Tecumseh was a Shawnee chief and military leader who opposed the expansion of American territories into the Ohio River Valley.
• Tenskwatawa was Tecumseh's brother and a spiritual leader of the Shawnee who wanted to unify First Nations peoples.
• Tecumseh proposed an Indian Confederacy in which all First Nations would unite and live on protected lands.

Confrontation between Tecumseh and William Henry Harrison

• Tecumseh protested William Henry Harrison's role in acquiring First Nations lands in 1810, which paved the way for expanding American settlements.
• A peaceful resolution to the issue was not possible.

Impact on Canada

• Britain's conflicts with France and the United States had a long-term impact on Canada.
• The conflicts led to the War of 1812, which affected Canada's development and relationships with other nations.

Causes of the War of 1812

• The British navy impressed around 10,000 American sailors into service between 1793 and 1812, leading to resentment and national pride issues.
• The British didn't respect American independence, and many Americans felt they were still trying to interfere in American politics and government decision making.

Impressment Incident

• In 1807, the British warship HMS Leopard fired on the American ship USS Chesapeake off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, for failing to stop and allow the British to search for deserters.
• This incident highlighted the British practice of impressment, which was seen as an offense to national pride and personal freedom.

Economic Factors

• American legislation aimed at stopping British impressment ultimately harmed the American economy and its citizens, preventing farmers and merchants from selling or trading goods abroad.

Challenges to Expansion

• The British supported the creation of neutral First Nations territories, which led to tensions with American settlers on the southern and western frontiers.
• The Americans believed they needed to protect their settlements from the Shawnee and other First Nations, while the First Nations were determined to stop American expansion and drive out settlers from their lands.

American Expectations

• Many Americans, such as South Carolina congressman John C. Calhoun, viewed the takeover of North America as their duty and right, and believed it was their mission to spread American culture and "civilization" throughout the continent.
• Some Americans saw this mission as having a religious connection, and believed it was their right to expand westward.

War Hawks

• Several American politicians, including those under President James Madison, supported a war with Britain, citing concerns about Britain's interference in American shipping and trade.

The War of 1812

• The War of 1812 involved over 170 battles, raids, skirmishes, and campaigns.
• Most battles took place in Upper and Lower Canada, with some in present-day Canada and the United States.

Brigadier General William Hull's Proclamation

• On July 12, 1812, Brigadier General William Hull issued a proclamation to the colonists in Upper Canada.
• Hull believed that the colonists would not resist the American invasion.
• He promised to protect the Canadians and warned that those who opposed the American invasion would be treated as enemies.

Key Events in the War of 1812

• The Battle of Crysler's Farm was a British victory.
• The American commander, Hull, was offered a chance to surrender before a full-scale attack, which he accepted.
• After learning of the British victory, Hull abandoned the invasion of Upper Canada and retreated to Detroit.

British Forces and Allies

• A group of 400 First Nations warriors, 200 fur traders, and 46 British officers gathered as a show of British force.
• British troops and their allies prepared for battle, led by Major-General Sir Isaac Brock.

Historical Significance

• Historians make choices about what events, people, and developments are significant enough to research and retell.
• To determine historical significance, ask: • Did the event, person, or development create a long-lasting change? • How many people were affected, and were they affected profoundly or deeply? • Was this the first time that an event such as this occurred or an idea such as this was introduced? • Does this event, person, or development reveal something about the past that is different from the present? • How did the significance of this event, person, or development vary for different people? • Has the historical significance of this event, person, or development changed over time?

The War of 1812

• The War of 1812 led to land lost prior to 1784, from 1784-1810, and from 1810-1850.
• The consequences of the War of 1812 affected present-day Canada and the United States border.
• Examine the experiences of Black people, women, and First Nations during the war.

Laura Secord

• Laura Secord is one of the most well-known women in Canadian history.
• She lived in the Niagara region in 1813.
• In 1813, Secord did not receive recognition for her efforts until 1860 when a group of War of 1812 veterans addressed the Prince of Wales.
• Secord insisted on being included, and the Prince sent her 100 pounds.
• Analyze how FitzGibbon describes Secord's actions in a letter written in 1827.
• Secord's story was treated differently over time, as shown in Figure 6.29.
• Compare the depiction of Secord in Lorne K. Smith's 1920 painting with what is known about the role of women during the War of 1812.

Causes of the War of 1812

• The British navy impressed around 10,000 American sailors into service between 1793 and 1812, leading to resentment and national pride issues.
• The British didn't respect American independence, and many Americans felt they were still trying to interfere in American politics and government decision making.

Impressment Incident

• In 1807, the British warship HMS Leopard fired on the American ship USS Chesapeake off the coast of Norfolk, Virginia, for failing to stop and allow the British to search for deserters.
• This incident highlighted the British practice of impressment, which was seen as an offense to national pride and personal freedom.

Economic Factors

• American legislation aimed at stopping British impressment ultimately harmed the American economy and its citizens, preventing farmers and merchants from selling or trading goods abroad.

Challenges to Expansion

• The British supported the creation of neutral First Nations territories, which led to tensions with American settlers on the southern and western frontiers.
• The Americans believed they needed to protect their settlements from the Shawnee and other First Nations, while the First Nations were determined to stop American expansion and drive out settlers from their lands.

American Expectations

• Many Americans, such as South Carolina congressman John C. Calhoun, viewed the takeover of North America as their duty and right, and believed it was their mission to spread American culture and "civilization" throughout the continent.
• Some Americans saw this mission as having a religious connection, and believed it was their right to expand westward.

War Hawks

• Several American politicians, including those under President James Madison, supported a war with Britain, citing concerns about Britain's interference in American shipping and trade.

The War of 1812

• The British were engaged in fighting France and Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe in 1812, providing an opportunity for the Americans to gain more control in North America.
• The British Navy, the most powerful in the world, forced its citizens to join, including many Americans who were no longer British citizens.
• Historians estimate that over 10,000 Americans were captured and forced to serve on British ships, leading to increased tension between the British and Americans.

Trade Restrictions

• The British would not allow the Americans to trade with the French due to the conflict between the French and British (Napoleonic Wars).
• American ships trading with the French were seized by the British, undermining American independence and sparking further aggression.

The War in Upper Canada

• General Sir Isaac Brock, British military Commander in Upper Canada, believed that controlling the island of Michilimackinac was key to a strong defense.
• Brock assembled a group of 400 First Nations, 200 Fur traders, and 46 British officers to take Michilimackinac, successfully defending Upper Canada.
• The battle led to Hull's abandonment of his invasion of Upper Canada to focus on defense.

The War of 1812 Statistics

• Over 170 battles of various sizes took place during the war.
• The people of Upper Canada suffered the most, as most key battles were fought in this region.