War Of 1812 Dbq Essay

The War of 1812 is often a long forgotten war. It has been easy to skip over while learning about the history of our country. People often go from learning about the formation of our country in the Revolutionary War, to the Civil war that almost divided our young nation. No one can deny that these 2 wars are important in the history of the Untied States, but the War of 1812 made America the nation that we are now. Often called our second War of Independence from Britain and our second war with Native Americans, the War of 1812 broke any ties of control that Great Britain had on the newly formed nation, as we trumped the world’s strongest and largest navy. America went from being an underdog to being a powerful nation. The War of 1812 produced

Named after his maritime uncle, who was lost at sea a few years before he was born, Oliver was one of eight Perrys to sail and find naval glory. Born on 1785 in Rhode Island to Christopher Raymond Perry and Sarah Wallace Alexander Perry. His father Christopher was an seasoned sailor and privateer during the American Revolution. Christopher was captured twice by the British and imprisoned Newry, Ireland, where he met and fell in love with his future wife, Sarah. Beautiful and dominate, Sarah’s family “warrior ancestry” is descended from “Sir Richard Wallace, an uncle of the famous Scottish braveheart Sir William Wallace” (Skaggs,

Perry was disappointed and felt that he deserved a higher posting, where he could do more for the war effort as sea. He petitioned the Navy Department and the Secretary of the Navy for a better appointment. After no reply, Oliver Hazard Perry decided to look towards the Great Lakes, where his friend Isaac Chauncey commanded. Chief Naval Officer Perry built up a fleet of 9 ships in the protective bay at Presque Isle, known today as Erie, Pennsylvania. The Lawrence and Niagara ships were built out of local green wood that grew abundantly along the wild shores of Lake Erie. The newly finished flagship Lawrence was named after James Lawrence, Captain of the Chesapeake, who was mortally wounded in battle with the British Shannon in 1813. The “last” words of the wounded Lawrence were, “Don”t give up the ship.” He died three days later and the British took over the ship (Hickey, 2006). Oliver Hazard Perry had a flag made with Lawrence’s last words that he would fly to rally his men in the upcoming battle. Making and fitting a fleet for battle proved to be a daunting task in the wilderness on the shores of Lake Erie. All of the iron, sails, cannons, gun powder, rope, and supplies had to to be transported inland from the coast. Ship builders, workers, sailors and marines all had to travel through the wilderness to get to Presque Isle. Perry desperately