The USA - British War of 1812 - A British Perspective

The War of 1812, was fought between the United States of America and Great Britain and was a spin off from the Napoleonic Wars in Europe.

Chris Green is The History Chap; telling stories that brings the past to life.

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In this summary of the War of 1812 I will introduce you to the causes of the war, what actually happened and who won it.

Somewhat confusingly it was just fought in 1812 but lasted for nearly 3 years, finishing in 1815.

It was the first time that the United States’s had gone to war with a foreign enemy and bizarrely for a war that was fought principally about the freedom for American ships to sail the high seas it was mainly fought on land.

Added to which, America’s greatest naval victory was 1,000 from the sea!

Americans look with pride on their emphatic victory over the British at the Battle of New Orleans and the British (if they know anything about this war) will remind our American cousins that we set fire to the Capitol and the White House…more of both of those events later.

What were the causes of the War of 1812?

A combination of British intriguing with Native Americans to attack American citizens, American ships being searched and prevented from trading with France by the Royal Navy, and American citizens being impressed into the Royal Navy.

When did the War of 1812 start?

On the 18th June 1812 President James Maddison declared war on Great Britain.
It was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation.

What happened in the war of 1812?

Despite being a war about freedom of American ships on the high seas, it was mainly fought on land.
The US invasion of Canada was defeated at the battle of Queenston Heights and during the next 2 years further invasion fared no better.

Ironically, the Americans had greater success on the water, especially at the battle of Lake Erie where Oliver Hazard Perry wiped out a British fleet.

In 1814, with the defeat of Napoleon Bonaparte in Europe, the British sent battle-experienced troops to North America.
Their invasion from Canada into New York State was defeated at the battle of Plattsburgh.

A British Army of over 4,000 men under the command of General Ross landed near Washington DC and quickly captured the capital.
The Capitol Building and Executive Mansion (The White House) were set on fire.

However, they were unable to capitalise on that success at the Battle of Baltimore when, despite a 25 hour bombardment, they couldn’t dislodge the American defenders at Fort McHenry.

The Defence of Fort McHenry inspired the poet Francis Scott Keys were inspired to write a poem to music…the Star Spangled Banner.
It became the national anthem of the United States.

In early 1815, the British were decisively defeated at the Battle of New Orleans by Andrew Jackson.
Ironically, this bloody battle was fought after the Treaty of Ghent had been signed but before it had arrived across the Atlantic for ratification by President Madison.

When did the War of 1812 end?

Somewhat bizarrely, despite its name, the war actually lasted until 1815.

How did the war of 1812 end?

With the Treaty of Ghent.
The treaty basically restored the pre-war status quo in North America.

#warof1812 #impressment #battleofneworleans

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My name is Chris Green ("The History Chap") and I am on a mission to share the amazing history of Britain so that we can appreciate where we have come from and why we are here.

History should not be stuffy or a long list of dates or kings & queens.
So rather than lectures or Youtube animations, I tell stories that bring the past to life.

My aim is to be chat as if I were having a coffee or meal with you. Jean in Maryland, USA recently wrote: "Chris, is the history teacher I wish I had at school!"

Just for the record, I do have a history degree and continue to have a passion for the subject I studied.

Disclaimer: All opinions and comments expressed in the 'Comments' section do not reflect the opinions of Chris Green Communication Ltd t/a The History Chap. All opinions and comments should contribute to the dialogue. Chris Green Communication Ltd does not condone written attacks, insults, racism, sexism, extremism, violence or otherwise questionable comments or material in the 'Comments' section, and reserves the right to delete any comment violating this rule or to block any poster from the channel.

[minuteman]

I don't think most Canadians know about this war anymore, but it was part of our national mythology in the past. The monument to General Brock at Queenston is huge, and very impressive. I live near a Brock Township, there is a Brock Street in my town, and in many other small towns in Ontario. There is a city called Brockville, and Brock University is in St Catharines.

[minuteman]

There are many Canadians who are descendants of those British soldiers, as many of them stayed on in Canada and got land grants for their service.

[robg]

Thanks again Chris, excellent presentation! I lived in Canada for nearly thirty years and I can assure you that they speak with deep pride about how they resisted the Americans in the war of 1812. I'm looking forward to your next video!

[tng]

Thanks. This war, like the Boer War, is mostly forgotten in particular in the UK and it is great somebody can re-tell it with simplicity and humor.

[donlee]

Fabulous as usual Chris! I was born near these battles in St Catharines Ontario so was given the myth that it was the York Militia who saved the day at Queenston Heights and Lundays Lane not to mention the battle at Ridgeway. My father always felt Techumseh was not given his due either. If it had not been for British Regulars and the First Nations the various battles could have gone to the Americans. The building of more robust ships turned the tide against the Americans on the Great Lakes. General Sir Isaac Brocks monument still sits on Queenston Heights overlooking the Niagara Gorge.
Once again..your presentations are excellent for their balance enthusiasm your lucid insights dramatic voice and superb visuals. Well done indeed!

[nathanappleby]

Hey Chris, thank you for putting the Star Spangled Banner in your video! Very nice coming from a Brit. It was such a pity the news of peace didn't reach America in time to save Pakenham from death. He was one of Wellington's best division commanders in the Peninsular War for which the Duke regarded him with great respect to the point that he played a part in smoothing things between the Duke and his wife, Pakenham's sister, before he died. Such a great man and leader.

[jollyswashbuckler]

What a interesting war this was, thank you for making a video about this underrated war which deserves more recognition, keep up the wonderful work!

[JamesThomas-ggil]

I'm a Yank, and Ive always explained it to poeple that it was really just a sibling rivalry or just two brothers griping over essentially nothing. A lot of people on all sides died. Maybe no where near other wars, but still to lose anyone in a war without any real goals or gains is terrible. Glad we got all of that out of our collective systems before then end of that particular century. As I am sure you British are as well.

[knicksprop]

I teach about and in the US it’s largely skipped over but your video does an excellent job of balancing out the facts. I think it’s more important in terms of shaping America going forward, as in, after not worrying so much about British influence in North America, they could set their sights on settling the rest of the continent.

[davidpitchford]

Excellent! Concise, clear history. Despite hearing and reading many things this war never seemed clear to me until this brief exposition!

[thethmusketeer]

That was superbly presented, Chris. I am one of many Brits, I suspect, for whom “The War of 1812” was just a title that I was aware of, but which I had never bothered to investigate & therefore knew next to nothing about - other than that it arose out of contentious issues created by the European Naval blockades of the Napoleonic Wars & included the burning of the White House & some legendary ship on ship duels, such as that fought between HMS Shannon & the USS Chesapeake.

THANK YOU for providing such a fascinating synopsis of that rather peculiar conflict & for bringing it all to life with the customary flair of your excellent narration & your well chosen illustrations that are not only very immersive but serve as an excellent visual aid, that helps one to MEMORISE the salient details that you relate. Kind Regards ~ LOUIS C.

[brianfoster]

Our schools in Ohio are required to teach Ohio History and the War of 1812 features heavily in Ohio’s History. There is also a live outdoor drama on Tecumseh’s life that is performed each summer near Chillicothe, Ohio that also covers his part in fighting for the British and forming a coalition of Native America during the War of 1812.

[richardbradley]

Another fantastic video, you are such a good teacher. I learnt a lot more than I knew! Thanks!

[jamesbishop]

Thanks for this Chris. Shall enjoy it, as i do with all your content.

[OldSarge]

...excellent...EXCELLENT. A hard war to make any sense of, rather long and wandering, and your encapsulation of the matter was clear, logical and should be considered a primer for those seeking to make sense of the war. Kudos.

[FranciscoPreira]

Excellent presentation indeed, this cumbersome affair of 1812 needs to be taken from the oblivion chest where sometimes, these rather "small affairs" lay dormant. great work.

[henrikschmidt]

I love these short summary videos. You sometimes have to re-view some stuff, because you get so much info in such a short span of time.
Thank you for educating me.

[Davy.J.Y]

This is one of my all time fave historical stories. I enjoyed watching this video, thanks for creating and posting it.

[doobiejones]

Great video as always chap. Can't wait to get to the individual detailed videos. I'm from Northern Michigan USA. Love to see a video on the history of the Mackinac Strait's in general and Fort Michilimackinac in particular. The Fort was at one time French British and American. Was prominent during the war of 1812. 12- 15. LoL. Enjoy your channel immensely! 😊😎

[joeritchie]

This was extremely interesting because this is never covered in American history classes. I really learned a lot from this video. Thank you for posting this video! It is also interesting because I live 50 miles north of New Orleans.