"Would you support a "War of 1812" Board?" Topic

The Board would be for events surrounding the War in North America, and surrounding areas between Britain and the United States? While the 19th Century Board already contains this period I feel that given the fact that 1812 is the start of the bicentenary of the War, a dedicated Board would both increase interest and given enthusiasts a place to go

Nope, but I have no issue with there being one.

yes

Funnily enough, I actually think this is a good idea.

Yes. Lots of scope for "we won" and "my navy was better than your navy" arguments over the next few years. Might as well corral it in one place and set up a popcorn stand at the same time :)

yes

Yes

Another YES.

I prefer to keep the discussions in the existing Napoleonic boards.

Yes.

If brass1 is in favor, I am opposed.

OK, maybe it is not too bad an idea…

Yes, absolutely.

Eric

Yes, great idea.

No. But that is probably just me.

No

Sure, why not?

Sure, why not?

With the start of the bicentenary of the War in the coming year, it could become a 'hot' topic around here anyway so would be a good way to focus the discussion. (and not to bore all the others!)

cheers,
DH
an often War of 1812 topic blog: dotsofpaint.blogspot.com

I have jumped the gun a little, and started two War of 1812 threads.

I don't see a need. It is just a sub-campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, much like the Russo-Swedish War for example.

I don't see a need. It is just a sub-campaign of the Napoleonic Wars, much like the Russo-Swedish War for example.

I disagree with that. It is largely a "forgotten war". Forgotten by both the major combatants (Britain and the US) and only really remembered by the Canadians. It is not a "sub-campaign" since the US was not siding with Napoleon.

I agree with Margard. Napoleonic in name only. Seperate war entirely.

Unfortunately, I think even the Canadians don't really remember it well, despite it's significance.

Eric

Yes, a nice way to focus attention on the bicentennial.

Yes.
It is its own war, although it happens during the Napoleonic wars. It is the bicenntenial, and it would help highlight a forgotten war.

I appreciate the disagreement but I still believe we North Americans over-rate the significance of the war. Granted in June of 1812 the world would well believe that Napoleon would be victorious in Russia and that we (the US) were cashing in on Britain's involvement in the Peninsula, but really it's hard to view it as more than a nuisance war. By the time privateers made shipping rates skyrocket the issue was decided in Spain. Wellington might be delayed, but the initiative and advantage lay totally with him.

Recent historians discount the notion that we wanted to conquer Canada, the Orders in Council had been repealed, and we had our way with the First Peoples anyway, so it is hard to set it aside as having more importance than say the Russo-Turkish War of 1806-12. Would we give that a separate board? It involved more numbers, square miles and actions than the War of 1812, was between two countries only, etc. The fact that the US wasn't officially siding with France seems irrelevant to whether it is part of the Napoleonic Wars. Same with the Finnish War of 1808-09 that I erroneously referred to earlier as a Russo-Swedish War. Heck, even the Anglo-Russian War of 1807-1812 featured some of the same issues as the War of 1812 like the seizure of the frigate Speshnoy.

I agree that the war is important because it helped define the identify of the fledgling United States and gave Canadians a rightful sense of pride, but the British response of "what war?" is justified in a global view. Had the United States not grown into a super-power it would hardly merit a chapter in a study of the wars between 1793 and 1815.

I am BTW a reenactor of Crown Forces for the War of 1812 and want to see the Bicentennial be successful. However as an amateur historian and teacher I still see it as a side-show that influenced but did not seriously impact the big picture. We can handle discussing it in the existing boards. However, if one does come to pass I'd follow it.

Respectfully,
Michael

I'd support it, mostly to make finding discussions thereof easier to find. Beats sifting through a ton of European threads to find what you need.

Michael;
I respectfully disagree. I also think most Canadians under-rate it. And I think the war did more to define Canada and Canadians than it did so for defining Americans.

But, that's just my opinion. Also as an amateur historian and War of 1812 re-enactor (US Marines).

Hope we'll see each other at an event, then. We can carry on about it "after the battle"…

Eric

Recent historians discount the notion that we wanted to conquer Canada,…

Really? Then what were we doing there?

I don't really give a hoo9t about the Russo-Turkish War, or the Russo-Swedish War, or any of the other Russo-Neighbor
Wars.
You can game them as you please, and will have my blessings.

The War of 1812 is one of those Bucket List Wars I always wanted to game. It is one that has always been #5 on my Next List. Oddly, I have never bought any figures for it, unlike some other back burner wars I could mention… However, I have been assured that the plastic Perry Rifles that the club dumped on me like I was Mikey with a bowl of Life, will actually be useful, as will the bag of OG dragoons I bought as yeoman cavlry fgor the 98.

The real test for a new Board, it seems to me, is will anyone post new threads to it. I think they will.
Mother Napoleon will just have to let one of her children fly free.

As for whether or not it helped to define America, or whether or not anyone actually won it, it lead to The Era of Good Feeling. We could all use that, I think.

I'd support a war of 1812 board as I'm getting into the period in 28mm for land and 1/1200 for naval

Yes to a War of 1812 Board.
I agree with John the OFM re. "recent historians discount…." I don't know of any War of 1812 historians who discount this notion. Further, conquering Canada was part of U.S. war aims as stated to Congress by President Madison.

I say if a bunch of Russians and Turks, or others want to talk about the Russo-Turk War, give them a board too.

This sounds like a good idea to me, especially with the bicentennial coming up.

Jim;
You should support a War of 1812 Board. Even if you want to do it in 40mm, whilst I labor away in 25mm…

You and Cliff. Uff da.

Eric

More boards – oooh goody!

Well, if John the Greater is opposed to it, I'm definitely for it even if, in the depths – well, shallows – of his secret soul, he thinks it's a good idea. Which he does.

I think that the bicentennial may well cause an upsurge in interest in the War of 1812 and I, for one, would like to be able to discuss it from a gamer's point of view without having to wade through the 19th Century or (shudder) the Napoleonics message boards.

LT

Yes

Oui! Um pardon thats a yes. I too am an 1812 reenactor and would like to game it. Anyhoo Salut y'all!

Bruce the Texas Grognard

If we don't get a board I will just have to invade Canada( I will sneak in via the railroad tracks at Sault Saint Marie)

Count me in, especially if you include U.S. efforts to annoy the Spanish in the Floridas during the War of 1812.

Late to the party but Yes.

YES…definitely!

Only till 1814!

Yes!

Isn't this just a Napoleonics side show ?

Not to Canadians, the United States, or Native Americans.

Yes, the northern US border campaigns are awesome

yes

YEP!

Yes should be one.
VR
James Mattes

Ah, the North American extension of Napoleonics. I would not support the board, but would game the period.