Thursday, November 24, 2011

The causes of the war of 1812


The War of 1812 has long been a subject for debate since it had began in 1812. History is always written by the conquerer, but the conquerer of this war is un-clear. Both Great Britain and the United States of America had different motives for being implicated in the war. In short, the US was interested in expansionism and waged war on Canada in several areas in order to turn Canada into an american territory. The reason for this was the oppresion commited by Great Britain on the seas. The US was implicated in commerce with France in order to support Napoleon's war, and therefore was not respected by Great Britain (who at the time was fighting Napoleon's war). James Madison (US president) urged congress to wage war against G-B and seize one of it's colonnies (Canada). On the other side Great Britain went to war with the US in order to protect Canada from expansionism.

Having said that now, there is a controvesy on who was right and wrong on going to war. In the defence of the US, Great Britain showed a lack of respect, a sense of superiority as well as kidnapping of american sailors to fight Napoleon's war.
However in my opinion Great Britain had good reasons behind every one of the arguments I previously stated. G-B was at war with Napoleon's army (the strongest at the time) and therefore needed to stop him by any means possible including the oppresion of US ships used for commerce. I believe it makes complete sense that G-B would stop American ships and make them pay taxes so that it became unaffordable for American's to support Napoleon. G-B needed to fight Napoleon in any way possible in order to defeat his army!

I now leave it up to my followers to defend any side they feel was right and had the best intentions behind their actions. The video bellow provides additional detail in the matters I have discussed. I look forward to your opinion!
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3 comments:

  1. Danielle BNovember 25, 2011 at 8:52 AM

    I like how you introduce to the readers the reasons for the war. And how you think G-B won. I am 100% sure that they did infact win. I'm looking forward to seeing your opiniong through out your blog!

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  2. Jill.MooreDecember 5, 2011 at 11:19 PM

    I think I know how you came up with this blog topic, (laughs) nice.
    Honestly though it is an interesting story. There are lots of factors on all sides that could contribute to reasons for all countries involved to believe they were the winners of 1812. On the same hand, I have to disagree with Danielle. *Correct me if I'm wrong.* The history if Great Brittan was not drastically changed with any battle victories in this war, for no land was gained and kept under the name of England. *(This is why, in England it is known as the "Forgotten War")*

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  3. Nicholas MarentetteDecember 6, 2011 at 9:19 AM

    The history of Grest Brittan was not drastically changed BECAUSE of the war of 1812. If GB would have decided to not get involved the americans would have successfully invaded Canada. Therefore, America would have the largest land mass, and become much more wealthy because Canada is rich in natural ressources. If America would have successfully expanded into Canada, GB would have lost much of their wealth and power.

    It is important to remember that the reason the Brittish colonized North America was because they saw profit in the ressources the land possesed and they were also in the process of expansionism ( to expand their empire and become more wealthy )If GB would have decided not to fight for Canada, the colonization and effort put into it would have been all for nothing.

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