Posted on 06/02/2006 8:38:48 PM PDT by Pharmboy
After a hard fought war for American independence, war clouds once again loomed on the horizon for the infant nation of the United States. The U.S. felt the British had forced their hand by violating three areas of sovereignty.
First, England refused to surrender western forts promised to the United States in the 1783 Treaty of Paris, which ended the Revolutionary War.
Second, the U.S. accused Great Britain of stopping American ships, under the premise to search for deserters, but instead was pressing U.S. sailors into British service.
Third, British sanctions during the Napoleonic Wars resulted in the seizure of hundreds of American ships on the high seas.
For these acts, President James Madison asked the Congress for a declaration of war June 1, 1812. Congress granted his wish and formally declared war on Great Britain June 18.
This war had several interesting facets. First, neither side was ready for a conflict.
British assets were still heavily engaged in the Napoleonic Wars and the fledgling military of the U.S. was poorly equipped and lacked experienced officers. Second, this war saw several government buildings, to include the White House, put to the flame. First Lady Dolly Madison managed to escape moments before the British arrived, taking with her a full-length original painting of George Washington.
The War of 1812 is the first and only time since the Revolutionary War that the U.S. capital was invaded and occupied.
Another interesting factoid concerning this war was the U.S. invasion of Canada. While the American leadership expected an easy victory in the Canadian theater, the experienced British general, Sir Isaac Brock, skillfully defended English interests from American forces.
This war also saw the penning of the Star Spangled Banner by Francis Scott Key.
The war ended with a treaty signed in Ghent, Belgium. However, news traveled slowly in the early 19th century and Andrew Jackson continued to defend New Orleans from enemy forces even though the conflict was over. This led to Jackson becoming a popular American hero and paved the way for his eventually being elected President.
I visited Fort McHenry a couple of years ago and that visit did indeed enlighten me to the importance of that time in our history.
I'd recommend to add Fort McHenry to anyone's itinerary while visiting the Baltimore or DC area.
Absolutely agree. My first time there was a while back when I was 11 y/o and we were visiting my sister who got married and moved to Baltimore. I went back about 5 years ago and was not disappointed. A true monument to liberty and this great country...
Thanks for your clarification.
Thanks! Under-appreciated, & yest every time we sing or hear our National Anthem we're at least reminded of it....IF we make the connection! LOL
...unless we hear the National Anthem in Spanish, and we're reminded of the Mexican War. LOL!
oh dear!Hmmmm...I grew up near the San Jacinto Battlefield! Well, we won that war too! LOL
BTTT
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