Significance of the War of 1812

Although 30 years had passed since the Americans had won freedom from Britain, the young nation continued to be plagued by British occupation of American territory along the Great Lakes; highly unfavorable trade restrictions; the impressments (forcing into service) of American sailors by the British; and the suspicion that the British were backing Indian raids on the frontier. It seemed that Britain continued to regard America as a set of troublesome colonies, rather than a nation of equal standing to Britain.

President James Madison, embroiled in a tight campaign for re-election, acquiesced to Congressional "war hawks" from the south and west and declared war on Britain in June 1812. Americans were emboldened by the fact that the British were deeply committed to a war with Napoleon Bonaparte that strained the resources of the crown. There was little acknowledgement in Washington that what passed for a standing army was only about half the size of Britain's and stationed in widely scattered outposts; that the American navy totaled about 50 ships to Britain's more than 850; that coastal defense infrastructure was limited at best; and that there was no core of trained military officers to lead the poorly trained troops and militia. The British ships were much larger than their American counterparts.

Commercial and political interests in New York and New England, concerned about the potential destruction of shipping, opposed the war and in fact, continued to supply the British until the naval blockades were extended. Similarly, Britain saw America as an important market and supplier and only reluctantly responded to the declaration of war.

In the summer of 1812, American troops attempted to invade and conquer Canada. The poorly planned campaign ended in defeat and the withdrawal of the Americans. However, two American frigates, the USS Constitution and the USS United States, gained victories in naval battles, boosting American morale and contributing to President Madison's re-election.

In response, the British gradually established and tightened a blockade of the American coast south of New York, impairing trade and undermining the American economy.

The attempts to invade Canada during the spring and summer of 1813 were somewhat more successful than the previous year's, yet they ended in stalemate. By the end of the season, the British blockade had extended north to Long Island.

In April 1814, Napoleon was overthrown, freeing some 14,000 experienced British troops for battle in America. The British who were sent to America planned a three-pronged strategy: 1) to attack New York along the Hudson River and Lake Champlain in order to divide New England from the rest of the country; 2) to attack the Chesapeake region - the center of government and pro-war sentiment; and 3) to attack New Orleans to block and control the Mississippi River. The situation was grave: no one believed that America could defend itself against the full force of the British; the country faced insolvency due to the blockade of trade routes and the costs of the war; and in New England, opponents of "Mr. Madison's war" met in political convention to discuss secession.

Remarkably, the young nation prevailed despite a long summer in the Chesapeake Bay region in 1814. The British harassed citizens, burned towns and farms, and overwhelmed the scant American naval forces and militia. With the Americans distracted and largely unprepared, the British entered the nation’s capital and burned several public buildings, causing the President, his family and Cabinet to flee Washington. In September, however, an all-out land and sea defense of Baltimore forced the withdrawal of the British from the Chesapeake region. The same month, the British fleet in Lake Champlain was destroyed, leading to the British retreat into Canada. This defeat convinced the British to agree to a peace treaty, known as the Treaty of Ghent, with very few conditions. In January 1815, with neither side aware that the treaty had been signed the previous month, the British decisively lost the Battle of New Orleans. David had defeated Goliath.

From the Star-Spangled Banner National Historic Trail Feasibility Study and Environmental Impact Statement, National Park Service, US Department of the Interior, Northeast Region, March 2004.