Manifest Destiny & The War of 1812 Canadian History 11

Manifest Destiny  The belief that the United States was destined to control all of the continent of North America  A commonly expressed belief in American politics by early 1800s  Belief played important role in causing War of 1812

Causes of the War of 1812: American Desire for Expansion  Popular belief that British North America would be easily captured by American forces  Large population of former Americans living in Upper Canada  No fortifications, few British troops stationed in BNA  "The capture of British North America will be a mere matter of marching." - Thomas Jefferson

Causes of the War of 1812: "Free trade and sailors' rights"  France & Britain at war from 1803 to 1815 (Napoleonic Wars)  By 1812, Napoleon controlled most of Europe  British blockaded European coast in effort to prevent Napoleon from obtaining military supplies  United States remained neutral during war but insisted on its right to trade with France

Causes of the War of 1812: "Free trade and sailors' rights"  British Navy stops and searches American vessels in international waters for two reasons  1) Prevent military supplies from reaching France (contraband)  2) Searching for deserters from British Navy  Many American sailors removed from American ships and "pressed" into the British Navy  Americans angered at violation of their sovereignty

The U. S. declares war...  When Britain refuses to cease its searches of American ships, President James Madison asks Congress to declare war on Britain  June 18, 1812: Congress approves Madison's request  Britain preoccupied in Europe fighting Napoleon  American forces prepare to invade British North America, believing that it can be easily captured

Canada prepares for war...  Governor Isaac Brock responsible for defence of colony of Upper Canada  Brock concerned about his position but puts on a brave face - "I... speak out and look big."  Rather than wait for American invasion, Brock attacks and captures American forts at Michilimackinac and Detroit

Native Peoples Join the Fight  His bold actions win the support of American Shawnee chief Tecumseh, who organizes a coalition of natives in support of Britain  American natives hope to win guarantees that their lands will not be lost to advancing American settlement

Major Battles of the War of 1812

October 13, 1812: Queenston Heights  Brock's forces defeat first American invasion attempt at Queenston Heights on the Niagara frontier  Upper Canada will not be easily captured  Invading Americans will not be welcomed, as the U.S. expected and Brock feared

1813: The war continues...  April 27: American forces cross Lake Ontario, attack and burn York (present-day Toronto)  Native leader Tecumseh killed at battle of Moraviantown (Stratford), Upper Canada  The hope of an independent native territory dies with him  Two-pronged American invasion of Canada defeated at Chateauguay, Lower Canada (October) and Crysler's Farm, Upper Canada (November)

1814: Britain strikes back  Spring 1814: British defeat Napoleon in Europe, allowing them to concentrate on war in North America  July 1814: 3rd American invasion of Niagara frontier defeated at Lundy's Lane  August 1814: British troops land at Washington, burning the White House and Capitol  Their attack on Fort McHenry, Baltimore is defeated

A negotiated peace  Summer 1814: Peace negotiations begin as both sides are weary of war  December 1814: Treaty of Ghent brings a return to pre- war boundaries (status quo ante bellum)  January 1815: Two weeks after the treaty is signed but before word of the settlement reaches the U.S., American forces under Andrew Jackson defeat an attempted British invasion at New Orleans

Aftermath of War  April 1817: Rush- Bagot Agreement limits number of armed ships on Great Lakes, the beginning of the "undefended border"  Convention of 1818: Boundary between British North America and the US extended from Lake of the Woods to the Rockies along 49th Parallel

Winners... and Losers  The war forced Britain to reaffirm American sovereignty ("second War of Independence")  Failure of American invasions reaffirmed British North America's desire to remain part of the British Empire  American natives fail to win guaranteed protection of their lands  Over the next 70 years, advancing American settlement will displace the natives and occupy their lands