The American troops looted and burned government buildings in York. The troops aboard the ships were commanded by General Zebulon Pike, a famous explorer. Proctor.Īpril 27: Americans under General Henry Dearborn and Naval forces under Commodore Chancy captured the British base at York, Canada. They surrendered to British Colonel Henry A. January 22: Battle of Raisin River - US forces, commanded by General Winchester, were advancing toward Detroit but sustained severe losses. The British General Brock, an excellent leader, was killed. The Americans were soundly defeated with high casualties. However, the two American generals did not work together and the militia refused to cross the border in support. October 13: Battle of Queenston Heights - Two American generals, Smyth and Van Rensselaer, crossed the Niagara River with a superior number of troops to the British and native forces. The Americans surrendered Detroit on August 16. When Hull heard that Mackinac Island surrendered without a shot, he retreated to Detroit. British forces were led by General Isaac Brock, with Tecumseh leading the Shawnee tribe. The Americans were led by General William Hull. The Americans were poorly trained and organized. July 12: The first invasion into Canada was a disaster. The British troops were supplemented by the native fighters who proved to be valuable allies. However, they were very busy fighting the war with Napoleon. The British had a superior Royal Navy and their troops were trained military, not volunteers and militia. Poor training of volunteers and lack of cooperation among military leaders turned out to be problems for the Americans. The Navy only had five frigates, three sloops and seven brigs. The war hawks who wanted to invade Canada were anxious to declare war. In January 1812, Congress authorized the US Army to rise to 30,000 officers and men plus 30,000 one-year volunteers. In early 1812, the US Army only had 4000 officers and enlisted men. ![]() After the war was declared in Congress, there were riots in Baltimore, June through August, against the war. Many Americans were not in favor of another war with Britain. ![]() They felt the natives could be easily defeated if the British were removed. The British gave supplies and weapons to the natives, who were continually in conflict with the American settlers.The British policy of Impressment of British and American sailors to serve in the Royal Navy.(The French had actually taken more ships than the British, but the French were considered allies) The British naval blockade of Europe in the war with Napoleon.The Americans also felt it was a chance to take territory in Canada from the British. They were busy in Europe fighting Napoleon, but their policies provided the Americans justification to declare war June 12, 1812. Great Britain was not anxious to fight another war with the Americans. That battle, along with the continued maritime issues, led to the convening of the War Congress in November 1811. The Americans won but suffered heavy losses. The Prophet’s forces attacked the Americans led by Territorial Governor, William Henry Harrison. The British supported the Indian Confederation, led by Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet. On November 7, 1811, Americans defeated the Indian Confederation at the Battle of Tippecanoe in the Indiana Territory. James Madison became President in March 1809. In December 1807, President Thomas Jefferson placed an Embargo against the British. In June 1807, an international incident was caused when the British ship, “Leopard”, fired on the American “Chesapeake”. Secretary of State, James Madison, reported this interference to Congress in January 1806. They would take British citizens off American ships to serve in their navy, but took Americans as well. The British began the policy of Impressment of American sailors into the British Navy in 1803. Some Americans felt they were ready to push their territories to the North and oust the British from Canada. ![]() The Americans wanted to remind the British of their hard-won sovereignty. It has been referred to as the “Second War of Independence” from Britain since the combatants were the same. Historians don’t always agree about the winner and loser of the War of 1812.
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