War Of 1812 Dbq

The War of 1812 is often considered as “The Forgotten War” in our American history. Schools and prior generations have not focused a lot of time and effort on learning about this vital war. However, many positive aftereffects came from this important war. Since 1803, France and Great Britain have been at war and Great Britain had created a blockade, which violated the Treaty of Amity and Commerce between America and France. Through a series of Orders in Council the British blockaded most of Europe’s seaports. These blockades required American ships to go through British ports first before heading to their destination. However, hundreds of American ships and thousands of sailors would be captured and forced to serve in the Royal Navy. On June

Before the war, America’s trade and economy was terribly handicapped due to both France and Britain not allowing trading with the opposing nation. Politically, the U.S. Congress was referred to as the “War Congress” and certain members were known as “War Hawks”. Those that supported the war were primarily Republicans including President James Madison, although there was some division within that party and the Federalists were opposed to the war. Most people in New England were Federalists and their Congressmen argued that the war would threaten their seaports and livelihood. There were social impacts as well. Initially, the New Englanders believed that President Madison stirred up Congress to go to war unnecessarily and it would be a costly

“American officials were overly optimistic about the invasion’s success, especially given how underprepared U.S. troops were at the time. On the other side, they faced a well-managed defense coordinated by Sir Isaac Brock, the British soldier and administrator in charge in Upper Canada (modern Ontario). On August 16, 1812, the United States suffered a humiliating defeat after Brock and Tecumseh’s forces chased those led by Michigan William Hull across the Canadian border, scaring Hull into surrendering Detroit without any shots fired” (History.com Staff, “War of 1812”). General William Hull lead an army of 2200 men into battle and cowardly surrendered without a shot being fired. After this embarrassing defeat, Hull is court-martialed for cowardice and sentenced to death but is pardoned by President James Madison. Later, in September of 1813 America was able to take Detroit back with a conquest in the Battle of Thames. Ultimately, no one would expect a relatively new nation to win over an established military such as Great Britain especially in the aggressive manner that they surrounded the United