Canadian-American Relations One of Canada’s most influential wars….Canada/England (BNA) vs. America

Canada in the War of 1812 A combined English (Upper Canada) and French (Lower Canada) force drove American invaders from our soil. Helped unite us as a new colony both French and English working together Lower Canada Upper Canada

How Many? -Canada’s population = ½ million ……..(2/3rds were French) vs. 8 Million Americans!! The Americans saw an opportunity to challenge Britain by taking Canada The Americans saw an opportunity to challenge Britain by taking Canada

Causes 1) a) The tensions between Britain and the United States did not end with the signing of the Treaty of Paris in What are some of the issues that continued to aggravate relations between the two countries ? List 5 things irritating the Americans and 2 things irritating the British. Americans -Britain had still not vacated many posts in the Ohio Valley -US believed Britain was encouraging First Nations hostility toward settlers moving West -Britain at war again with France, and seizing US ships on their way to France with trade goods -The British boarded US ships in search of deserters from the British Navy -US sailors were forced into service with Britain (Impressment)

Causes Cont’d British -upset about the treatment of loyalists -British subjects unable to claim debts owed to them before the war

Jay’s Treaty, a) What was the name(s) of the Treaty that was signed in 1794 to avoid another war between Britain and the Americans? - Treaty of Amity, Commerce, and Navigation AKA Jay’s Treaty b) The treaty handled some of the issues between Britain and the United States. What were some of the conditions of the treaty? (List 4) -In the future joint commissions or arbitration would help settle disputes over debts and boundaries -Britain agreed to abandon its posts in the Ohio Valley by In return the US recognized the rights of First Nations peoples to move and trade freely across the border between the US and BNA (Free passage rights) -Treaty established a preferential trading agreement between Britain and the US

Jay’s Treaty Cont’d… #2 c) *Think Critically* Do you think countries with strong trade links are less inclined to go to war with each other? Why or why not? Yes because strong relationships can be fostered by trade, which might make war less likely Also a large amount of money (or goods) could be lost in trade if war were to take place.

Jay’s Treaty Cont’d… 3) What were some of the reasons the Americans were dissatisfied with Jay’s Treaty? -wanted the freedom to trade with any nation that would give them the best price for their goods (including France) -Some Americans believed that Britain was supplying guns to the First Nations for an uprising -Britain continued the policy of impressement. US ships still being harassed

The War of Why? Thomas Jefferson (former American President) said that the conquer of Canada would be…. “a mere matter of marching” - -Many Americans felt that the Canadians would be happy to join the “stars and stripes” if “only we ask them…”

War of ) What was the date the War of 1812 began on, and how was it started? -July 12, American General William Hull invaded Upper Canada with 2000 men 5) Why did British leaders worry that “land Loyalists” might welcome the American invasion? -some people only joined the Loyalist migration only to receive free land, therefore did not have loyalty to Britain

War of 1812 Cont’d… 6) *Thinking Critically* Why might Jefferson believe that conquering Canada would be easy? Jefferson likely expected that the tiny population of Canada would not be able to hold off an invasion felt that the population might even be willing to help expel England from the continent.

Canadian Heroes 7) a) Who was Sir Isaac Brock and Tecumseh? Brock: Head of British forces in Canada since 1811 Tecumseh: leader of the Shawnee First Nation (territory Ohio Valley) b) Why did they join forces? Were they successful? Rather than wait for the US to attack again, they decided to go on the offensive The two leaders planned an invasion of Fort Detroit, and on August 16 they attacked Yes. General Hull (Detroit) terrified by the cries of Tecumseh’s forces outside his fort walls and surrendered immediately.

Brock & Tecumseh c) What did their success at Detroit do to the general mood of the BNA population? - helped build support for the fight against the Americans. Canadians began to believe that perhaps they could win the war More men signed up for the militia.

Our Canadian Hero Brock was considered to be the first Canadian war hero Brock's actions, particularly his success at Detroit, earned him a knighthood, gave him title of "The Hero of Upper Canada". Brock's actions, particularly his success at Detroit, earned him a knighthood, gave him title of "The Hero of Upper Canada".

War of 1812 Cont’d 8) *Think Critically* What might have been the short- and long-term consequences if Brock and Tecumseh had been defeated at Fort Detroit? short-term consequence may have included that the loss would have reinforced the feeling of defeat among the population. long-term consequences the possibility that a defeat may have challenged the cooperation between British forces and First Nations groups American forces may have been bolstered by a victory and may have gone on to win the war.

The War Info… consisted of many small battles, fought in the Ohio Valley/Upper Canada region. Both capital cities were set on fire during the war!! (York and Washington, D.C.) Arrogant Worms- War of 1812 Fun Fact: “The Star Spangled Banner” was written during the burning of the White House!

Treaty of Ghent, ) a) After 2 years of fighting the war ended with the Treaty of Ghent. What was the outcome of this treat? -stalemate. Neither side made any territorial, economic or political gains. b) Did Britain betray Tecumseh and the Shawnee people with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent? -Britain left First Nations out of the negotiations/ treaty. It was a betrayal because Britain promised to support Tecumseh’s people’s claim to territory (Ohio Valley). Gave away land to US c ) So who really lost the War of 1812? -The First Nations

Consequences of the War of ) Why did the British begin the massive construction project of the Rideau Canal? -During the war the St. Lawrence river had come under attack, so the British built the Rideau Canal to ensure an alternative transportation route in case of another war

Consequences of the War of ) Many historians have portrayed the War of 1812 as a time when British Canadian nationalism was born? Explain why. -Many men signed up for the militia -War gave Upper Canada a story of Loyalist heroism in the face of treason and American threat (“land Loyalists”) -Loyalist elite believed it defended Upper Canada during the war and that it should continue to lead the colony after the war. -Its bonds with Britain (and its suspicions of anything American) were strengthened as a result of the war.

Consequences Cont’d… 13) * Think Critically* From the perspective of the various groups discussed on pages 128 to 129, discuss the most important changes and continuities in life since 1760.

Consequences Cont’d… British immigrants (large influx of immigrants from Britain would face drastic changes in life style, while the existing population would see cities and towns increasing in size) British North America’s Black population (changes would occur due to the Slavery Abolition Act, and an influx of African Americans using the Underground Railroad) First Nations (losing land to immigrants and the passing of the Gradual Civilization Act) Loyalists (building of businesses and new towns such as Kingston and York).

In the end… Canada fought together French and English as a United Nation! And we withheld our borders to keep the Americans from achieving their goal for “Manifest Destiny”