"War of 1812 Facts" Topic

"The War of 1812 is one of the least studied wars in American history. Sometimes referred to as the "Second War of Independence," the War of 1812 was the first large scale test of the American republic on the world stage. With the British Navy impressing American sailors, and the British government aiding Native American tribes in their attacks on American citizens on the frontier, Congress, for the first time in our nation's history, declared war on a foreign nation: Great Britain. The War of 1812 brought the United States onto the world's stage and was followed by a half-decade now called the "Era of Good Feelings." …"

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Armand

A good body of facts for someone not familiar with the War of 1812, except for the last para, "Who won the War of 1812?". The Treaty of Ghent did not address any of the American goals, particularly the most egregious, Impressment!

I'm with IronDuke596 – it's a rather odd definition of a draw.

So do you see it a British victory? A US victory? Explain.

Of course we (Britain/Canada) clearly won the War of 1812 – but I am biased LOL.

Everybody wins! Americans get bragging rights for standing up to the British Empire, the British end an irritant distracting them from the existential threat, France, and return to profitable trade with the "colonies". The Canadians, French-Canadians concerned about the American threat to their Catholic institutions and the English Canadians who were the children of American Loyalist refugees, ensured their independence from the United States and get their own bragging rights! The only real losers are the First Nations in America who will no longer be covertly or overtly supported by the British in Canada in their battle against American expansionism. Much of what the war was nominally about had stopped before the war was declared or ended with napoleon's downfall.

Well the Americans went toe to toe twice with the Brits and both times the Brits left with their tails tuck between their butt cheeks. The Brits finally figured out if you can't beat them join them and we have been friends ever since. That's my American perception and I am sticking with it. :)

(smile)

Armand

If you think about it, the AWI was in many ways a civil war between two groups of people of largely British origin, both originally owing allegiance to the same monarch, who disagreed over the form of government. So the eventual victory of those claiming independence was hardly the triumph of one race or nation over another.

There were 3 groups. One pro Crown, One anti crown and one who wanted both sides to leave them alone. About 1|3 in each camp.