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The War of 1812

The War of 1812 was characterized by military conflict between the US troops, the British and the Native Americans (Benn 18). The U.S declared war in 1812 for various reasons. One of these reasons was the desire to expansion into the territory in the Northwest (Turner 33). This war was also caused by the trade restrictions that the adversaries had instituted. These restrictions were the result of Britain’s continued war with France, impressments of American merchant sailors into the Royal Navy.

As a result of the British support of American Indian tribes against American expansion, the war began. The British were out and determined to humiliate the American honor. The Americans were also determined to uphold their national honor that was being insulted by the British. Turner (33-35) asserts that the British who were also very determined to block American expansion into the Northwest got supported by indigenous leaders such as the Tecumseh to fight back against the Americans. The expansion of the U.S into Canada is also pointed to by some historians as the other cause of the 1812 war (Turner 33-34).

Trade Issues in the 1812 war

As the war advanced, President Munroe mobilized the Congress to take legislative action since the introduction of the Embargo Act hurt Americans than it did to the British or the French. Under directives of Munroe, the Americans defied the Embargo Act. Immediately before Jefferson left office in 1809, the Congress replaced the Act with the Non-Intercourse Act (Benn 24).

The provisions of the Non-Intercourse Act forbade trade between U.S, Great Britain and France. Although this measure was meant to cushion the U.S against the demerits of the Embargo Act, it did not prove helpful (Benn 18). This further led to its replacement with the Macon’s Bill No.2. However, it is stipulated that if either Britain or France dropped the commercial restrictions, the U.S had threatened to re-introduce the Non-Intercourse Bill against them. The British demonstrations and restrictions continued even after this. This prompted President Munroe to reinstate the Non-Intercourse Act against Britain.

Andrew Jackson and the Battle of New Orleans

The Battle of New Orleans took place in 1815 and marked the climax of the 1812 War. At the onset of the battle, the British had managed to capture five of the American gunboats in the first war near New Orleans. On January 8, the U.S troops managed to kill two British generals including Major General Pakenham.

The American forces under the leadership of Major General Andrew Jackson successfully fought and defeated the attacking British Army. Their intention was to capture New Orleans and the vast territory that the U.S had acquired with Louisiana Purchase. Jackson’s Army thus reinstated U.S’ position and promoted its expansion in the region and dominion as a force to reckon with (Benn 18).

Battle of Horseshoe Bend and Red Sticks

The Creek war was used by the British against the U.S through coaxing of the Red Stick. Andrew Jackson gathered his forces and attacked the Red Stick Creeks. The military attack of this territory led to eventual and total destruction of the Red Stick Creek force. This defeat at the point where the British considered their strong hold gave the U.S an upper hand in the 1812 war.

Tecumseh and his Movement

The outbreak of the 1812 war stirred up Tecumseh and his movement to fight against the U.S. With his Indian warriors, he gave the British a hand against the U.S in the war especially in the Detroit frontier region. Given the position of the Brigadier-General in the British army he fought against the Americans. Tecumseh led in the successful capturing of Detroit. However Americans’ continued invasion led to his death in 1813 in the fight by the Thames River (Benn 64).

Importance of the 1812 War to the Native Americans

The loss of the 1812 war was the last chance for the Native Americans to prove their unity against the expansionist and super power U.S. After Tecumseh was killed, the U.S took control of almost all the land of the Native Americans and especially in the east of Mississippi River. However, this gave the Native Americans the opportunity to benefit from the economic gains and advantages that U.S had acquired since these battle opened doors for industrialization and more trade.

Work Cited

Benn, Carl. The War of 1812: the fight for American trade rights, New York: Rosen Pub., 2011.
Turner, Wesley, B. The War of 1812: the war that both sides won, Tonawanda, N.Y.: Dundurn Press, 2000.