A. J. LangguthProfessor Emeritus, School of Journalism, Annenberg School for Communication, University of Southern California
Reviews:
Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence
"Never again after this masterly work will 1812 be a forgotten war. Langguth brilliantly restores the war to its rightful place in American history while at the same time giving us a rousing good story that holds our attention from beginning to end."--Doris Kearns Goodwin, author of "Team of Rivals""A. J. Langguth is incapable of writing a dull sentence. Here he brings rousingly to life the perilous, fascinating years between America's first and second wars of independence. With an artist's flair, a scholar's rigor, and the narrative genius of a born storyteller, he gives us presidents and their wives, Redcoats and frontier Caesars, heroes and scalawags--an unforgettable portrait gallery of young America."--Richard Norton Smith, author of "Patriarch: George Washington and the New American Nation"
Directions: Listen, take notes and post at least 2 comments considering the following questions.
1. What are the roots to this war and why is this often a misunderstood war?
2. The War of 1812 is often called the Second War for Independence. To what extent is this statement valid?
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
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16 comments:
The War of 1812 was one that what a long time in the making, and pivotal to the history of the US, though today it has become nearly forgotten and largely misunderstood. In the period following the ratification of the Constitution, European countries, particularly France and Britain, harassed American shipping. The British practice of impressing American sailors into service of the Royal Navy was particularly despised. The specific incident that is most notable is the occasion where the British Leopard fired on the American Chesapeake because the Americans would not allow the brinish to board. This incident united the nation behind the cause of war. However Jefferson whished to avoid war at all cost and resorted to his infamous embargo. Impressments were still an issue under Madison and were the official reasoning behind the war. Less public motives included the possibility of annexing Canada and ending the threat of the natives on the frontier who were supported by the British. This war is largely forgotten because on the surface little was accomplished. Canada remained in British hands, the natives still were a problem, and the final treaty mentioned nothing about impressments. Thus with its seeming pointlessness, the War of 1812 is misunderstood as insignificant. On the contrary, it established the US, and particularly its Navy, as a valid power within the world, preventing further aggression for some time.
The War of 1812 has sometimes been called the second war for independence. For the most part this is a valid statement. Following the initial ill-fated attempts to conquer Canada, the US was very mush fighting to remain in existence. There is no doubt that had the British won this war, they would have re-annexed their former colonies. Thus the Americans were without doubt fighting for their independence once more. Further, while the Revolution was the war that established the United States as a country, this war established it as a significant force within the world. In fighting the world’s leading power to a standstill for the second time in fifty years, the US proved itself to be able to defend itself. More specifically, the British navy which had been the premier maritime force since the fall of the Spanish armada was held at bay, if not defeated by the far smaller American navy, greatly lessening the supposed advisability of maritime threats to American shipping.
The roots of the War of 1812 involve British Impressments of Americans. Also the Americans believed that the British were supplying Indians with weapons. The U.S. also believed that they could and would be able to conquer Canada. There was also pressure to go to war. This came from pressure from the "War Hawks" and they pushed for war and persuaded congress to declare war. The War of 1812 is often a misunderstood war. This is because of what the war accomplished on the surface was kind of a draw. The War did not really accomplish much for either side. Since the Americans believed that they could gain Canada. They thought that they would be considered liberators, instead they suffered a huge defeat. The delegates at the Treaty of Ghent were happy just to settle for going back to what was going on before Madison declared war. Also because one of the major reasons for going for war, British impressments, wasn't even mentioned in the treaty.
The War of 1812 has been often called the Second War for Independence. This statement is true because it can be said that the Americans were trying to remain their independence from Britain. This war caused both sides to once again be fighting against each other. This war had great results from it, for example the composing of the National Anthem. It also established America as a great world power and worthy of respect. The war settled the claim that America would be once and for all independent from Britain.
The roots to the war of 1812 include a memorable 3 year conflict and War about union who had control of North America. It went back to Jeffersons' presidency and he didn't even want to have the war. He thought that one war is enough throughout a persons presidency even though he would’ve been supported by Americans. However he still avoided going to war until Madison came along and didn’t have the same feelings about it as Jefferson. He even tried imbargo. Then finally he gave in and went to war.
I think the war is often misunderstood because Americans see it as a continuation of the American Revolutionary War, where they had to safe guard their newfound independence against British aggression. Then the Canadians, in contrast, look back to the war with desire, bragging Canada beat the Americans and burnt down the White House. Although Neither view was worth much.
The war is often called the second war for independance because the americans had a war with Britain before and they were trying to get their land back. This statement is not entirely valid because there is a lot of controversy about it and it is more of an opinion.
The cause of this war are, trade restrictions to limit American trade with France. Another cause was the impresments. The Americans felt a need to uphold their honor, and defend their country. Ameircans felt threatened by the British becasue of the Indians alliance with the British.
I think that this war could be considered a second war to independence to a certain extent. Because the Americans to an extent were defending their land. They were trying to fight to keep themselves independent and prevent invasion of the British. Which could be compared to the original war of Independence.
Nicole makes an interesting observation regarding the American and Canadian perspectives and relvancy to the event.
The root of the War of 1812 was the American want to preserve their honor from the British. English trade restrictions, attacks on US ships, and impressments alarmed America, who was still sensitive from the recent revolution. In addition to this, the US was further pressured by British support of the Native Americans in rebellion against the states. I agree with Steve that this war is often misunderstood because it is seen as not being very significant. Although the war was a draw and the pre-war boundaries were returned, America saw the need for a stronger military and were brought together by the the sense of independency as a people.
1. The War of 1812 has its roots with the British. Jefferson had gone to great lengths to avoid another war. Even going so far as to enact the hated Embargo Act. In the end the act hurt Americans more than it hurt the British. The main reason people were calling for another war was because of British impressments. This is when the British would attack American ship and force sailors to serve in the British Navy. Sometime Americans got killed in the process. This caused a lot of hatred towards Britain. Another root for the War of 1812 came from the British involvement with the Indians. The United States wanted to put an end to the Indian raids that were happening. They thought that the best way to do this was by attacking Canada. Many Americans believed that most of the Indian raids were encouraged by the British in Canada. The British not only supported Indian attack, the British gave the Indians weapons. I agree with Stephen was say that the War of 1812 is often misunderstood as unimportant when in reality it shoed that America was a power to be reckoned with, and it wouldn’t tolerate any bullying.
2. The War if 1812 is often called the Second War for Independence. This statement is valid when looking at the United States in a diplomatic sense. As a result of the war, America proved, using force, that it would defend itself against any “wrong doings” committed against itself. America gained respect from other countries. The War of 1812 could also be considered a Second War for Independence in an economic sense. The war stimulated trade, commerce and industrialization in America. In the end, the war made America less dependent on European countries. In other words, America became a little more self-sufficient.
I agree with everyone that the War of 1812 was the Second War for Independence. The United States felt the increasing British pressure and was not willing to allow England to take back what they had fought so hard to win.
The British impressments that were taking place were one of the causes of the War of 1812. America felt unsafe and as though they needed to defend their own land and independence. Also the trade restrictions and frequent attacks of US ships lead to the start of the war. The British were supplying to the Indians who were fighting against America and this farther pressured the US into war. This is often a misunderstood war because some people view it as not very significant or not important. This is not true because without this war, America could have ended up under British rule and no longer independent.
The War of 1812 is sometimes referred to as the Second War for Independence. This is a valid statement because it was during this war that America proved that they were truly free from the rule of other nations. It helped and continued to develop the identity of America as its own nation. America felt threatened by the British which forced them into going to war to remain independent. As a result of this war, America is more respected by other nations and stands as a potential threat.
I think that the war of 1812 can definitely be considered the second war of independence. This is due to the fact that the British were mistreating the Americans. They said that they would do many things, including removing their forts from the west. They did not hold to these promises. They were also following the policy of impressement, and capturing our men for their naval ships. The British were slowing but surly trying to regain America. We had to fight to get our complete independence back.
There were many factors that led to this second war with Britain. These included the British policy of impressement;the British were also hovering off our coastline; And there were still British forts in the west of the United States. The British were also turning the Indians against us, and encouraging the natives to attack and raid American settlements.
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