From the British point of view, an annoying distraction from the main task of beating Napoleon.
From the American point of view, time to fight back against the British policy of pressganging US citizens into the Royal Navy.
From the Canadian point of view, a War of Liberation against a piece of naked US aggression. The US believed it was their "manifest destiny" to control the whole of the North American continent (hence also the war against Mexico). This remained their dominant philosophy, well into the twentieth century and arguably they still haven't got it out of their system.
From the American point of view, time to fight back against the British policy of pressganging US citizens into the Royal Navy.
From the Canadian point of view, a War of Liberation against a piece of naked US aggression. The US believed it was their "manifest destiny" to control the whole of the North American continent (hence also the war against Mexico). This remained their dominant philosophy, well into the twentieth century and arguably they still haven't got it out of their system.
The continued existence of the Dominion of Canada proves that the US lost the War of 1812. The British had already revoked the pressganging policy a few days before hostilities began. If it wasn't for the absurd Louisiana campaign, no myth of victory, or even a draw, would have persisted.
by Eppsy November 9, 2004
A war that Americans are taught in school that they won. Basically, it was a pathetic attempt to Annex Canada from the British, and ultimately got their capital burned to the ground.
American: We won the war of 1812!
Smart Person: Can you smell something burning? Oh, yeah, its the white house.
Smart Person: Can you smell something burning? Oh, yeah, its the white house.
by A Brit May 17, 2004
a war which all though technically between America and Britain since Canada was part of Britain at the time, did involve Canada since it was largely Canadians fighting and the American objective was to annex Canada. All though some people think the British won because they burnt down the white house, and some people think the Americans won because the British surrendered at New Orleans, and yet other people think it was a draw, in reality the British won by virtue of succeeding in their objective, the prevention of America taking control of the Canadian colonies.
The Americans wanted to take over Canada, but they didnt
The British wanted to prevent the takeover of Canada, they succeeded
who failed? who didnt?
The British wanted to prevent the takeover of Canada, they succeeded
who failed? who didnt?
by Jimbo Maloi July 21, 2004
A conflict between Britain and the US. Ended up in the destruction of a large British Army, American and British cities being overrun, and the fighting of the Royal Navy and States to a standstill. In the end the US recovered its land, gained decisive control over much of the Great Lakes, and even made some territorial gains not to mention that the natives were no longer in a position to threaten the country anymore.
Amusingly, some people consider this a canadian victory, even though there technically wasn't a Canada at this time, and they cannot point to any evidence of a 'victory' other than the filthy yanks did go ahead and conquer any more land than they had taken already. If this is what some canadians consider a victory, I'd hate to see a canadian defeat. Of course that would require canada to actually get an army.
Amusingly, some people consider this a canadian victory, even though there technically wasn't a Canada at this time, and they cannot point to any evidence of a 'victory' other than the filthy yanks did go ahead and conquer any more land than they had taken already. If this is what some canadians consider a victory, I'd hate to see a canadian defeat. Of course that would require canada to actually get an army.
yeah the British stopped pressganging sailors. So what? The news arrived after war was declared...
Many brave Americans and British fought in the War of 1812...
Many brave Americans and British fought in the War of 1812...
by blaher February 13, 2006
A war Canadians thought they were involved in, even though they were not an independant country.
The total outcome of the war was the United States gaining Lake Erie, and the British no longer practiced impressment of American sailors.
The total outcome of the war was the United States gaining Lake Erie, and the British no longer practiced impressment of American sailors.
by Bob March 3, 2004
A war fought mainly because of a trade conflict between the U.S. and Britain (The U.S. was supplying Napoleonic France in which Britain and several other European powers were fighting at the time). This war started in 1812 when U.S. president James Madison declared war upon Great Britain. The U.S. declared war first because of the increased amount of American shipping being intercepted by the British Navy, America's desire to expand into Canada and the increased vocations of the War Hawks, an American organization thats sole objective was to exact revenge on Great Britain after the American Revolution. The first fighting occured when an American force was launched over the Niagara River, although the force was large and had good leadership it mainly consisted of militia from New York who simply refused to cross into a foreign land to fight(the militia did have the right to do this because the main purpose of a militia is to defend home soil). This force then blindly marched deeper into Upper Canada where they were attacked by Butler's Rangers and forced to retreat. Knowing their mistake the Americans drafted militia into the armed services. Next the Americans moved against Montreal, the gateway between Upper Canada and the Atlantic Ocean, but the winter of 1812 came very quickly and the Americans lost a third of their force before even getting to Montreal. When they did arrive an amazing blizzard had created zero visibilty and both sides started firing into the wind, the Montreal militia barricaded within the gates of the cities were able to hold off the Americans until reinforcements arrived and the Americans retreated again. Things were not looking well for the U.S. and by this time the British sent and expeditonary force to Canada. The British then tried to invade the U.S. via Lake Ontario but the highly superior British fleet was humbly defeated by the Americans but they did not capture Toronto due to popular belief so invasion was successfully repelled...for now. The Brits then split their forces in two and headed in two directions, one force to Detroit and the other to capture New York. The force to Detroit was successful and the city was taken but the force heading east took much longer as they stopped and burnt down many small coastal towns along their route, they were slow enough that the Americans could retaliate and the Brits then found their way back to Canada. Now the Brits were so irritated that they launched a force by way of sea right to Washington and they burnt down the White House and pillaged the surrounding area, then the Brits moved to Baltimore where they tried to siege the city but the Yanks soundly defeated the Brits outside of the city. The British force was nearly annihilated and the living were captured, now the British force was only at half strength and that half was far to the west and could not stop a counter-invasion by the Yanks. Sir Isaac Brock, the Commander of the Canadian Militia knew he needed to act quickly to stop the Americans from advancing through the Niagara region so he gathered all the militia under his command and garrisoned British troops aswell as a large number native americans and headed to Queenston heights. When Brock arrived the Americans were waiting for him and had set up their artillery on the hills, Brock then charged each of the hills personally leading the assault. This was a great Canadian victory but Brock had died during the battle and leadership was now a large issue. The Brits in Detroit then decided to float down the Mississippi and take New Orleans, this was a catastrophe, the Brits didn't stop to take St. Louis and they St. Louis militia took potshots at the British, resulting in heavy casualties, when the Brits did arrive they had no will to fight and were slaughtered in the swamps of Lousiana. This led to the Brits asking for peace, they did this mostly because the war with France was not going well, James Madison signed the treaty and the war was over.
Many historians debate over who won but it is a fact that an American invasion was repulsed which was the entire objective of the Canadian and British forces.
Many historians debate over who won but it is a fact that an American invasion was repulsed which was the entire objective of the Canadian and British forces.
by Norman April 23, 2005
A minor north american pissing match that took place in the shadow of the napoleonic wars.
The bone of contention seems to be who burned down who's towns, and the fact is the Canadians and British burned down nothing. The American forces did in fact burn down York, however, when British troops marched on Washington, the American troops looted thier own capital and started most of the burning. The Brits showed up to toast bread and make tea. Meanwile, up north, the Canadians, who had successfully claimed back the city of York, got busy on perfecting Lager Beer and started goofing around with something called Hockey.
The bone of contention seems to be who burned down who's towns, and the fact is the Canadians and British burned down nothing. The American forces did in fact burn down York, however, when British troops marched on Washington, the American troops looted thier own capital and started most of the burning. The Brits showed up to toast bread and make tea. Meanwile, up north, the Canadians, who had successfully claimed back the city of York, got busy on perfecting Lager Beer and started goofing around with something called Hockey.
American: We've never lost a War!
Canadian: What about the war of 1812?
American: WE KICKED YOUR ASS! We burned down Toronto!
Canadian: Relax, eh? Jeez, here, have a beer. So, when can you come back and burn it down again, Eh? It kinda smells bad.
American: Hahaha! We've Never lost a War!
Vietnamise: 'scuse me, what were you saying?
Canadian: What about the war of 1812?
American: WE KICKED YOUR ASS! We burned down Toronto!
Canadian: Relax, eh? Jeez, here, have a beer. So, when can you come back and burn it down again, Eh? It kinda smells bad.
American: Hahaha! We've Never lost a War!
Vietnamise: 'scuse me, what were you saying?
by Kill All Humans August 12, 2004