War of 1812: How Did it Progress? PDF

NEW BRITISH MILITARY STRATEGY HOW DID THE Major-General Sir Isaac Br...

NEW BRITISH MILITARY STRATEGY HOW DID THE Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was a British military commander in “I set out with WAR PROGRESS? Upper Canada during the War of 1812. Strengthening Upper Canada’s declaring my full defences was Brock’s first priority. Read the quote in Figure 6.15. It is an conviction, that excerpt from a letter Brock wrote to Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Baynes, unless Detroit and four months before the Americans declared war. Baynes was the assistant Michilimackinac be to Commander-in-Chief Sir George Prevost. What is Brock’s main message both in our possession to Baynes? immediately at the The War of 1812 was fought on land and on water. However, the United Brock believed that the only way that Upper Canada could defend itself commencement of States was at a disadvantage at sea. Britain had one of the largest and most from an American invasion was to control Michilimackinac, an island in hostilities, not only the impressive naval forces in the world. Because of this, the Americans needed present-day northern Michigan. As you learned in Chapter 3, this was the district of Amherstburg, to find another way to launch their attacks against British forces. They location of a battle between First Nations and the British in 1763. Brock but most probably the decided to focus on the colonies in Canada. whole country as far believed that controlling the island meant controlling the Upper Great as Kingston, must be Lakes. This would fend off an American invasion. Brock was right. A large THE AMERICANS SEND A WARNING If you were group of 400 First Nations warriors, 200 fur traders, and 46 British officers evacuated.” Brigadier General William Hull was a high-ranking officer in the American Hull, how would you gathered together as a show of British force. When they reached the island, — Major-General military during the War of 1812. On July 12, 1812, he issued a proclamation have communicated the American commander was offered a chance to surrender before a full- Sir Isaac Brock to the Canadians to to the colonists in Upper Canada. Read an excerpt from his proclamation on attack. He accepted. When Hull learned of this victory, he abandoned persuade them to join in Figure 6.14. Like many Americans, Hull believed that the colonists the American side in the his invasion of Upper Canada and retreated to Detroit. Figure 6.16 shows FIGURE 6.15 This excerpt is from a in Upper Canada would not resist the American invasion, because the fight against British troops and their allies preparing for battle. How would you feel if a letter written by Brock to Baynes on February 12, 1812. Analyze: Americans would free and protect the colonists from British control. At the the British? window in your home overlooked this scene? Why does Brock believe that most same time, he warned the colonists against joining the British soldiers in of the country would need to fighting against the Americans. FIGURE 6.16 This 1997 painting by Keith Rocco, entitled British Troops at Michilimackinac, be evacuated? shows the rallying of British troops at Michilimackinac on July 17, 1812. Analyze: What evidence do you see in this painting that places the British at an advantage? “Inhabitants of Canada! After thirty years of peace and prosperity, the United States have been driven to arms. The injuries and aggressions, the insults and indignities of Great Britain have once more left no alternative but manly resistance or unconditional submission. The army under my command has invaded your country; the standard of the Union [the American flag] now waves over the territory of Canada. To the peaceful unoffending inhabitants, it brings neither danger nor difficulty. I come to find enemies, not to make them; I come to protect, not to injure you... I have a force which will break down all opposition, and that force is but the vanguard of a much greater—If, contrary to your own interest, and the just expectations of my country, you should take part in the approaching contest, you will be considered and treated as enemies, and the horrors and calamities of war will stalk before you.” — Brigadier General William Hull FIGURE 6.14 This excerpt is from Hull’s proclamation to Canadians on July 12, 1812, in Sandwich (present-day Windsor), Upper Canada. Analyze: How do you think the Loyalists felt about the invasion and proclamation? 174 UNIT 2: Conflicts and Challenges in Canada: 1800–1850 NEL NEL CHAPTER 6: The War of 1812 175 KEY EVENTS IN THE WAR OF 1812 Select Battles from the War of 1812 Most of the battles in the War of 1812 took place in LOWER CANADA British victory Upper and Lower Canada. The people in Upper Canada Lake UPPER St. Lawrence River Superior CANADA Battle of American victory suffered the most because many key battles were fought Châteauguay unclear victory on their soil, as the map and photos in Figure 6.17 show. British territory In total, there were over 170 battles, raids, skirmishes American territory Battle of present-day Canada (unplanned fighting between small armies or fleets), and Crysler’s and United States campaigns (series of military operations) during the War of n Farm Battle of border Lake ga 1812. Figure 6.18 shows a timeline of some of the important Plattsburgh i Huron ich Battle of Crysler’s Farm Battle rio events from the start of the war to its end in January 1815. Onta Lake M of York Lake Battle of Battle of Beaver Queenston Heights FIGURE 6.17 To this day, we still see many monuments Dams in commemoration of the War of 1812. Cities like Battle of the Thames Toronto have been built around the war’s historic e remains. Analyze: What do these photos tell you about Siege of Eri ATLANTIC ke the importance of the War of 1812? Why are memorials Detroit La Siege of OCEAN Fort Erie such as these important today? N Battle of Battle of Lundy’s Lane Lake Erie 0 90 km Chesapeake Bay Battle of Burning of Tippecanoe Washington, D.C. Battle of York Battle of Beaver Dams Battle of Queenston Heights Battle of Tippecanoe Battle of Lake Erie History 7 SB November 7, 1811 September 10, 1813 0-17-671053-1 Creation of FN u02-c06-f01-his7sb Burning of Declaration of War Coloured Corps Battle of York CO Battle of Châteauguay Crowle Art Group Battle of Lundy’s Lane Washington, D.C. Treaty of Ghent June 18, 1812 August 1812 April 27, 1813 October 26, 1813 July 25, 1814 August 24, 1814 December 24, 1814 Pass 4th pass 1807 1811 1812 1813 Approved 1814 1815 Not Approved Chesapeake–Leopard Affair Siege of Detroit Battle of Battle of Beaver Dams Battle of Crysler’s Farm Siege of Fort Erie Battle of Plattsburgh June 22, 1807 August 16, 1812 Queenston Heights June 24, 1813 November 11, 1813 August 13, 1814 September 11, 1814 October 13, 1812 Battle of the Thames (Moraviantown) Battle of New Orleans FIGURE 6.18 This timeline shows several significant battles and events from the War of 1812. October 5, 1813 January 8, 1815 American victories are in blue, British victories are in red, and events are shown in black. Analyze: What do you notice about the progression of the war? 176 UNIT 2: Conflicts and Challenges in Canada: 1800–1850 NEL NEL CHAPTER 6: The War of 1812 177 CREATING SIGNIFICANT BATTLES IN THE WAR OF 1812 A STORY MAP The British, Americans, and allies from both sides, which included First Nations, fought to gain or defend territories. What were the human costs of this two- and-a-half-year war? There is no way to know exactly. Official records are vague. Thousands were killed in the battles and thousands more were killed due to A story map uses a combination of words and multimedia, such as photos diseases and other factors stemming from the battles. Some sources estimate and videos, to tell a story. A story map might be suitable to document a total of about 35 000 British soldiers, American soldiers, and First Nations and describe places you have visited, damage caused by natural disasters, FIGURE 6.19 This table lists some warriors died in battle and from other causes related to the War of 1812. current world affairs, or historical events, such as major battles in a war. of the War of 1812’s important battles, and their present-day The following are some of the key battles that took place during the You can make a story map using online mapping technologies, such as War of 1812. location and coordinates. ArcGIS Online. In the following activity, you will choose a battle from the War Battle Location Coordinates The Siege of Detroit of 1812 and use ArcGIS Online to create Siege of Detroit Detroit, Michigan 42.33°N, 83.05°W a story map about this battle. You Battle of Queenston Niagara-on-the-Lake, 43.26°N, 79.07°W At the outset of the war, the Americans focused on Detroit can choose one of the battles listed in Heights Ontario as a key location from which to invade Upper Canada. Detroit Figure 6.19 (referenced in the timeline on Battle of York Toronto, Ontario 43.70°N, 79.40°W lay between the British forces and their First Nations allies. By pages 176 and 177) or another battle that setting up camp in Detroit, the Americans hoped to interrupt interests you. You will gather primary and Battle of Châteauguay Très-Saint-Sacrement, 43.70°N, 79.40°W communications between the British and their allies. secondary sources to help you document Québec Hull’s strategy of scaring colonists in Upper Canada into and describe your chosen battle in your Battle of Lundy’s Lane Niagara Falls, Ontario 43.12°N, 79.07°W surrendering to the Americans (see Figure 6.14) did not work. In story map. August 1812, under the leadership of Brock, a few hundred soldiers Siege of Fort Erie Fort Erie, Ontario 42.92°N, 79.02°W from Britain, British colonists from Upper and Lower Canada and Burning of Washington, District 38.91°N, 77.02°W the Maritimes, and First Nations allies, crossed the Detroit River Washington of Columbia to attack. Hull’s 2500 troops vastly outnumbered Brock’s forces. FIGURE 6.20 The Bombardment of Fort Detroit, 1812 Despite this, the Americans believed Brock’s forces were much was painted in 1997 by artist Peter Rindlisbacher. Rindlisbacher is known for his historically accurate larger than they actually were. Hull surrendered after heavy fire portrayals of naval battles. Analyze: How do you think from British ships along the Detroit River. Figure 6.20 shows the fighting a battle on the water differs from fighting important role of the navy in the British victory. on land? HOW TO CREATE A STORY MAP This early win for the British helped to solidify alliances between the British and First Nations, especially between Brock Choose a battle from the War of 1812. Research and Tecumseh. STEP 1 information about the battle. Then decide what you would like to document in your story map and Gather primary and secondary sources to include The Battle of Queenston Heights develop a plan. For example, you could include in your story map. You could include images of a list of key dates and locations leading up to STEP 2 people, places, or artifacts from the battle, quotes the battle, the names of important people, and from people involved in or affected by the battle, or links to modern-day connections. The Americans considered Niagara in Upper Canada another the perspectives of different people and groups strategic place to launch an invasion. If they conquered Niagara, involved in the battle. they could cut off British access to Detroit. The Americans invaded the town of Queenston in Niagara Start ArcGIS Online. Click on Map on the top on October 13, 1812. Brock was awakened by the sound of guns toolbar to open the ArcGIS Online map viewer. Use being fired. He did not have the forces he needed to deal with the search box or zoom in to focus your map on STEP 3 such an invasion, but he gathered a small number of troops. As Add key locations and data to your map using the area of the battle. Choose a suitable basemap, he led the troops up the hill (called the Heights), Brock was shot Add Map Notes. You could add points to show such as the National Geographic basemap. in the chest and killed. His troops withdrew. A few hours later, the location of the battle and the locations of STEP 4 with a new major-general in place, more British troops arrived, key events leading up to it. You could also add along with Haudenosaunee Six Nations and Delaware warriors. descriptions and images from your primary and Save your map. Give your map a title and The American forces were reduced when some members of the STEP 5 secondary sources, as well as website links. appropriate tags. American militia, who were not strong supporters of the war, FIGURE 6.21 This is a colourized image of an 1836 painting entitled The Battle of Queenston Heights. The refused to fight on the Canadian side of the border. Figure 6.21 Click Share. You can now create your story map by original artist is unknown. Analyze: How does seeing shows the American forces crossing the Niagara River and clicking the Create a Web App button and using this depiction of the battle help you to understand how scrambling up the embankment. British troops are assembled at STEP 6 the Story Map Tour template. Create your story the British won the battle? the top of the hill, ready to face their attackers. The British won map, and share it with your classmates. this battle, giving them a significant victory. 178 UNIT 2: Conflicts and Challenges in Canada: 1800–1850 NEL NEL CHAPTER 6: The War of 1812 179 The Battle of York and the Burning of Washington, D.C. The Battle of Lundy’s Lane and the Siege of Fort Erie York (present-day Toronto) was the capital of In the darkness of July 25, 1814, the Battle of Lundy’s Lane began. Examine Upper Canada. Its location was strategic since Figure 6.24. What does it tell you about this battle that took place near it was a site where weapons and gunpowder Niagara Falls? The lack of light led to much confusion on the battlefield. Both the were stored. It also had a massive ship— British and the Americans accidentally killed some of their own men. The Americans HMS Sir Isaac Brock—under construction. The withdrew and decided to build their defences at Fort Erie. Americans thought that control of this ship The British forces attacked Fort Erie on August 13, 1814. Their goal was to would mean control of the Great Lakes. lay siege to the fort and force the Americans out of their defensive stronghold. Approximately 1700 American troops and Haudenosaunee Six Nations, Ojibwe, Mississauga, Odawa, Wyandot, and Delaware a fleet of ships attacked York on April 27, 1813. warriors fought alongside the British. Despite intense fighting, the British and their The Americans beat the British and a group allies were unable to defeat the Americans and withdrew on September 21. FIGURE 6.24 This colourized of Ojibwe and Mississauga warriors. They took The Americans later decided to abandon the fort due to a shortage of supplies. image of an 1859 painting entitled the town, Fort York, and the dockyard. As They retreated across the Niagara River to American territory in Buffalo. Before Lundy’s Lane by Alonzo Chappel the British retreated, however, they set off an leaving on November 5, 1814, they blew up the fort so that the British could not depicts the Battle of Lundy’s Lane explosion. The explosion blew up much of the use it. on July 25, 1814. Analyze: Does fort and caused many deaths and casualties Because both the Americans and the British retreated, there was no clear winner this painting support the view that on both sides. The British also burnt HMS Sir in the battle. The British claimed victory from Lundy’s Lane and the Americans there was no winning side in this Isaac Brock to prevent the Americans from claimed victory from Fort Erie. battle? Why, or why not? capturing it. In August 1814, the British retaliated for the loss of York. They attacked Washington, FIGURE 6.22 This image, entitled The Burning of the White House, 1814, the capital of the United States. The British was created by Tom Freeman in 2004. Analyze: How do you think both set fire to the White House, the Capitol the British and the Americans felt as they watched the White House burn? building that held the Library of Congress, the treasury building, and the navy yard. When the fires were put out the next day, only one The Battle of Châteauguay government building was left standing. Figure 6.22 depicts the burning of the White House. Why would this be an The Americans planned to invade Montréal important building for the British to destroy? and cut off British supply ties between Montréal and Kingston. Their goal was to hinder British war efforts in Upper Canada. However, leadership and communication were poor on the American side. Although American forces outnumbered the British by about eight times, they overestimated how large the British forces were. The Battle of Châteauguay, shown in Figure 6.23, happened on October 26, 1813. The British forces in Lower Canada consisted of British soldiers, Canadian Voltigeurs (largely French-speaking soldiers from Québec), local militia, and Mohawk, Huron, and Abenaki warriors. The British blew horns in the woods as a tactic to trick CHECK-IN the Americans into thinking they were outnumbered. The Americans were fooled 1. CAUSE AND CONSEQUENCE What were some 3. COMMUNICATE Choose a battle from pages 179 to and retreated. Montréal remained under intended and unintended consequences of 181. Imagine you are a journalist reporting from British control. Of greater significance was some of the significant battles in Upper and the front lines of that battle. Create a news report that soldiers from both Upper Canada and Lower Canada? covering the significant events of the battle. Lower Canada joined forces in the battle. FIGURE 6.23 This image, entitled Bataille de Châteauguay, 1813, was This meant that, for the first time in North 2. HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE Which battle do you Remember to include a headline and answer the created by Henri Julien around 1884. Analyze: Would a colourized version 5Ws in your report. America, the French and the English fought think was most significant, and why? What of this image enhance your understanding of the Battle of Châteauguay? alongside each other. criteria did you use to come to this conclusion? Why, or why not? 180 UNIT 2: Conflicts and Challenges in Canada: 1800–1850 NEL NEL CHAPTER 6: The War of 1812 181