The War of 1812 was a war between Great Britain and the United States. It spanned over the years 1812 and 1813, until it ended in 1814. As Canada was a colony of Britain, and due to its close proximity to the United States, it often got invaded by American military. As the war began, the Americans had one clear target: Upper Canada.
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Upper Canada did not have the protection of the water as the maritimes had, and it did not have the protection of a great fort as Lower Canada had. In addition to that, the majority of immigrants who came into Canada were formerly American citizens, so the United States did not expect much resistance from the population.
The War of 1812 was mainly begun due to the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the war that took place between France and Britain. The two nations became compromising each others' naval trading systems, and the relationship between the United States and Britain tensed when Britain stopped all ships carrying trade from America to Europe. As is the case with most historic events, not everyone in America wanted to start war with Britain, though the thought of invading Canada and assuming the land was enough to convince the President.
The War of 1812 was mainly begun due to the rule of Napoleon Bonaparte, and the war that took place between France and Britain. The two nations became compromising each others' naval trading systems, and the relationship between the United States and Britain tensed when Britain stopped all ships carrying trade from America to Europe. As is the case with most historic events, not everyone in America wanted to start war with Britain, though the thought of invading Canada and assuming the land was enough to convince the President.
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To the Americans, it seemed as though conquering Upper Canada was inevitable. What was unknown to them was that a Canadian General had been charting Canada's strengths and weaknesses, and creating a battle plan for five years. He did this in preparation for an invasion such as the Americans. Major-General Sir Isaac Brock had been following the potential threats to Canada, and had been slowly setting up forts, procedures, and forming relationships with the First Nations people, who were promised support in expanding their right to land, all to prepare for a war that was on the rise.
Instead of waiting for the Americans to invade British North American land, Brock decided to take his soldiers, as well as the First Nations allies, and together they invaded Fort Detroit. This exploit was successful, and caused the military population to grow. This defeat gave the citizens of Canada hope for the chance of winning the war. During the next successful invasion by British forces, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was killed in combat.
Instead of waiting for the Americans to invade British North American land, Brock decided to take his soldiers, as well as the First Nations allies, and together they invaded Fort Detroit. This exploit was successful, and caused the military population to grow. This defeat gave the citizens of Canada hope for the chance of winning the war. During the next successful invasion by British forces, Major-General Sir Isaac Brock was killed in combat.
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The war raged on for two years, with battles occurring in Upper Canada, Lower Canada, and the Great Lakes area. Despite the American campaigns to rally citizens of Upper Canada, the population effectively refused to allow invasion. The British success was due to the help of many people, including the allies in the First Nations, Brock, numerous military leaders and soldiers, and various citizens who aided the war effort (one, for instance, was Laura Secord). On December 24, 1814, the Treaty of Ghent was signed, as the war ended in a stalemate between the two sides. The Americans nor the British gained or lost any territory as a result of the war. The only group who lost anything was the First Nations, allies of the British, who did not gain any of the land they were promised by Britain. Despite being a major factor in ending the war, the First Nations people received nothing.
The War of 1812 directly involved Canada. Due to its British affiliation, Canada was targeted as an easy place for invasion. However, the overall success of a small British colony maintaining themselves in a war (against a larger army) created pride and hope among the citizens. Due to the Loyalists' (argued) heroism in the face of threat, the bonds between the immigrated Americans and the British citizens were strengthened.
In addition to this, after the war was over, Canada's immigration increased immensely. This caused the need to industrialize and grow Canada's parameters of society, to compensate for the growing population. As the population increased, Loyalists began to establish business. Through this, financial classes were formed. A huge importance from the outcome of the War of 1812 was the strain that was put on the relationship between First Nations people and the British government. Once again, the needs of the First Nations were put below the wants of colonists, and so they did not receive what they were promised.
Additionally, while no one explicitly lost or won this war, the way of Canadian life would be changed immensely if a stalemate was not reached, and the Americans won. By "holding the fort," so to speak, the British militia prevented an invasion and for that reason Canadians are Canadians. Had the Americans won, every place that is now known of as Canadian would be American soil. That is quite important to the way that we currently live life.
Finally, and perhaps one of the most important outcomes of the War of 1812 was that it really did show the British colonies in North America that they could be independent, and potentially become their own nation. The success of this war created a foundation for the idea of confederation. The lifestyle and government of British North America at the time was quite new, and still developing. The unification that this war caused between the population made the idea of a union plausible.
In addition to this, after the war was over, Canada's immigration increased immensely. This caused the need to industrialize and grow Canada's parameters of society, to compensate for the growing population. As the population increased, Loyalists began to establish business. Through this, financial classes were formed. A huge importance from the outcome of the War of 1812 was the strain that was put on the relationship between First Nations people and the British government. Once again, the needs of the First Nations were put below the wants of colonists, and so they did not receive what they were promised.
Additionally, while no one explicitly lost or won this war, the way of Canadian life would be changed immensely if a stalemate was not reached, and the Americans won. By "holding the fort," so to speak, the British militia prevented an invasion and for that reason Canadians are Canadians. Had the Americans won, every place that is now known of as Canadian would be American soil. That is quite important to the way that we currently live life.
Finally, and perhaps one of the most important outcomes of the War of 1812 was that it really did show the British colonies in North America that they could be independent, and potentially become their own nation. The success of this war created a foundation for the idea of confederation. The lifestyle and government of British North America at the time was quite new, and still developing. The unification that this war caused between the population made the idea of a union plausible.