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Essay: Britain vs. America -- who won the war of 1812?

There have been many battles in North American history where the overall victory is disputed by both sides. From 1812 to 1815, the British and the Americans fought such a war. Later, this war was called the “Second War of Independence” or, in most cases, the “War of 1812”. The war could be seen as one large, unnecessary tug-of-war: the Americans had more troops, but the British burned the American capital and the surrounding area; the British had a larger percentage of casualties, but the Americans didn’t gain any ground as they had hoped they would. These points, then, are sufficient proof to say that arguably neither side, the Americans nor the British, won the War of 1812.

            To understand a conflict, one must first understand the events leading up to the point of interest. In 1803, a war began between France and Britain. At this time, the United States wanted to stay neutral, having a good trading reputation with both France and Britain. Unfortunately for the United States’ economy, both sides restricted trade in their waters until the U.S. picked a side; ships were seized, sailors were taken aboard French and British ships, and innocent Americans were killed. One such incident was when the Leopard fired on the Chesapeake: upon entering British waters, the American Chesapeake was stopped by the British Leopard, and was ordered to hand over her sailors (as was part of the British ‘impressment’). The Chesapeake refused and was fired upon. This, ultimately, fueled the fire of war for the American people. During this time, the younger members of American congress, naming themselves the War Hawks, called for war between the United States and Britain. Their reasons were that the U.S. was not respected as a neutral party, more land was needed to settle (the land in their sights being Canada), and the United States deserved more respect from the world powers as a new, independent country. In 1812, the War Hawks got their wish: the United States declared war on Britain, since most American sailors were ‘impressed’ by Britain and because the Chesapeake was fired upon by a British ship. The resulting battle was focused on the U.S.-Canadian border; the most hotly contested areas being around the Great Lakes and Niagara regions. Now that a background has been established, it is possible to properly debate the facts. How is it possible that the British, through the Canadians, won the war? Basically, they were able to break the U.S. lines, rush through the country and burn Washington, DC, including the area surrounding what is now called the White House. The British also had a better fleet; throughout history, Britain tended to be the naval power of the world. Although this was true, it might have been possible that the British navy was weakened because of the preceding war with France. Among their British troops, the British-Canadian side had more First Nations warriors, numbering in the ballpark of 10 000 to the Americans’ 125. The Canadians also had trained soldiers and militia. One of the best officers was Charles De Salaberry, who trained troops that later won the battles at the Chateauguay valley and Chrysler’s Farm, where they defeated American armies that happened to be much bigger than theirs. Decarie noted “[the Voltigeurs (Canadians)] were very skilled musket men, skilled woodsmen, and so you had a combination of the fighting skill of the frontiersman with the discipline and the leadership and the tactics of the British army. Very fierce in combination.”  But when this is brought forward, an argument must be made for the opposition.

   Now that a background has been established, it is possible to properly debate the facts. How is it possible that the British, through the Canadians, won the war? Basically, they were able to break the U.S. lines, rush through the country and burn Washington, DC, including the area surrounding what is now called the White House. The British also had a better fleet; throughout history, Britain tended to be the naval power of the world. Although this was true, it might have been possible that the British navy was weakened because of the preceding war with France. Among their British troops, the British-Canadian side had more First Nations warriors, numbering in the ballpark of 10 000 to the Americans’ 125. The Canadians also had trained soldiers and militia. One of the best officers was Charles De SalaberryD, who trained troops that later won the battles at the Chateauguay valley and Chrysler’s Farm, where they defeated American armies that happened to be much bigger than theirs. Decarie noted “[the Voltigeurs (Canadians)] were very skilled musket men, skilled woodsmen, and so you had a combination of the fighting skill of the frontiersman with the discipline and the leadership and the tactics of the British army. Very fierce in combination.”D  But when this is brought forward, an argument must be made for the opposition.