1. The War of 1812

2. War of 1812
the War of 1812 is not just a war between Canada and the United States, Great Britain and the First Nations played a large part in the war
the Americans did have just cause for a war with the British

3. Causes of the War: The Napoleonic Wars (1799-1815)
British adopted policies that angered the Americans
Napoleon ordered a blockade (the Berlin Decree) to cripple British trade by closing French controlled ports to British ships.
Neutral and French ships would be seized if they did not visit a Continental Port first (Continental System).
Britain responded by forcing neutral ships to obtain a license before sailing to Europe to trade
This interfered with American trade in Europe.

4. Causes cont..
British stopped American ships and searched for navy deserters and contraband.
British captains seized native-born Americans and forced them to work on British ships.
“Chesapeake Affair” – 1807:
British naval squadron was watching for French ships in Chesapeake Bay when several British sailors deserted and joined the Americans
American frigate Chesapeake had deserters aboard and refused to be searched by crew of British HMS Leopard
HMS Leopard opened fire killing three and injuring 18
The British boarded and seized four men.

5. The Chesapeake Affair

6. May 1, 1811: HMS Guerriere seized an American sailor from a coastal vessel – more tension
Major General Dearborn convinced President Madison that in the event of war, Canada would be easy to take control of, and an invasion would be welcomed by the Canadians.
Thomas Jefferson remarked that the capture of Canada was “a mere matter of marching”
“War Hawks”: a group of Republican Congressmen wanted war.
Motivated by nationalism, Anglophobia, retaliation for economic trouble caused by blockade.
Didn’t like perceived British support of First Nations resistance to American western expansion.

7. The War Begins: War declared on June 18, 1812
Americans decided that Upper Canada would be their best option for attack because the Atlantic provinces were protected by the British Navy and Lower Canada by the fortress of Quebec.
Upper Canada: Only 1600 British troops (mostly 41st Regiment + some militia reinforcements)
< 500,000 people in BNA, 7.5 million in America!
British were badly outnumbered but better prepared than the Americans thanks to Major-General Sir Isaac Brock (Administrator of Upper Canada)

8. Sir Isaac Brock

9. Sir Isaac Brock
Had been preparing for five years (reinforcing fortifications, training militia, developing alliances with First Nations)
Ordered the commanding officer of Fort St. Joseph on Lake Huron to capture the American post at Michilimackinac Island.
Post was captured on July 17, 1812 by a force of 46 British soldiers and 400 First Nations warriors.
Short battle, no casualties!
This helped to encourage First Nations to join him.

10. Battle Sites:

11. Fort Detroit
American forces led by General Hull crossed from Detroit to Canada
Brock quickly moved his forces to York to counter the invasion.
When Brock arrived at Amherstburg, General Hull already back in Detroit.
Brock captures Detroit on August 16 with the help of Shawnee chief Tecumseh
British control Michigan Territory and Upper Mississippi

12. Chief Tecumseh

13. Battle of Queenston Heights

14. Queenston Heights
Brock stationed at Fort George anticipating Americans would cross there
Americans invade Canada led by General Stephen Van Rensselaer, cross Niagara River at Queenston.
On October 13th, American soldiers find a secret path to the top of the escarpment and seize a British- Canadian gun placement, giving them an advantage.
Brock arrives from Fort George by horse and leads the charge to regain the escarpment, but is killed by an American sniper.

15. Mohawk and Delaware warriors pin down the Americans until reinforcements arrive
American reserves refuse to fight on foreign soil, and the Americans eventually surrender.
The loss of General Brock is devastating but had a big impact on the people of Upper Canada

16. Americans tried to retake Detroit but were so badly defeated at Frenchtown (January 22, 1813) by British, Canadian and First Nations forces under Lieutenant- Colonel Procter, they abandoned any further attempts that winter.
After the death of Brock, the British took a defensive strategy, keeping forces strong in Quebec.

17. Upper Canada
April 27, American ships land at York (Toronto), capturing the town, burning buildings, and seizing naval supplies.
First major defeat for the British
May 27, 1813 – Americans seize Fort George.
Retreating British forces are given enough time to regroup and attack the Americans at Stoney Creek on June 5th, capturing two generals.

18. Laura Secord

19. The Battle of Beaver Dams
Laura Secord’s husband was injured at Queenston Heights
While caring for him, she overheard plans for an American attack at Beaver Dams
She travelled over 30 km through American lines to warn the British of the impending attack.
Secord arrived at an Aboriginal camp where she was guided the rest of the way to warn Lieutenant Fitzgibbon.

20. Laura Secord:

21. Beaver Dams cont..
Americans suffer another major defeat at the hands of First Nations forces.
300 Caughnawaga, and 100 Mohawk warriors defeated the Americans after 3 hours of fighting.
American forces surrendered because they were afraid of what might happen to them if taken prisoner by Aboriginal warriors.
600 Americans captured, 25 dead, 50 injured
5 Aboriginal chiefs and warriors killed, wounded.

22. Americans Withdraw
December 10, 1813 – Americans evacuate Fort George and quit Canada
Burn town of Newark (Niagara-on-the-Lake) while leaving.
British retaliate by burning Buffalo
Burn Washington the following August
Play song by the Arrogant Worms
Show lyrics to class

23. Washington on Fire

24. War on the Western Flank (1813-1814)
September 10, 1813 – Battle of Put-in-Bay - British and American fleets fight for control of Lake Erie – Americans win.
Americans dominate the upper Great Lakes, causing the British to abandon Detroit and retreat up the Thames River.
Americans catch up to the British and First Nations at Moraviantown led by William Henry Harrison.
British and First Nations are scattered and defeated.
British retreat, leaving the First Nations to fight alone.
Tecumseh is killed – First Nations alliance is broken.

25. Battle of Châteauguay Oct. 25-26, 1813
Very important battle for Canadian nationalism
American general Hampton met an all-Canadian/First Nations force led by French Canadian lieutenant- colonel Charles de Salaberry
Canadians outnumbered 10-1
Americans could not breach barricades
Confused, panicked and fearful, they had to retreat.

26. Battle of Châteauguay Oct. 25-26, 1813

27. Battle of Crysler’s Farm
November 11, 1813
British had a tactical advantage – Americans forced to walk through ravines and fields with fences
British were backed by gunboats on the St. Lawrence River
By the time American artillery and cavalry arrived, most soldiers had retreated

28. Lundy’s Lane – July 25, 1814

29. Lundy’s Lane – July 25, 1814 Fought in the dark
Both sides could not tell each other apart
Hand to hand fighting with bayonets and muskets
Ended in a stalemate
Approximately 900 killed, wounded on each side
Very important battle because it stopped the American advancement into Upper Canada.

30. The Treaty of Ghent
After a failed attempt to invade northern New York, the British retreated from American territory and signed the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814.
This effectively ended the War of 1812.
The Battle of New Orleans happened after the treaty, but was essentially meaningless.
Both sides agreed to leave the borders as they were.

31. Questions: Who were the winners and losers of the War of 1812?
What were the main causes of the war?
How do you think the war affected Canada going forward?

32. Outcomes of the War of 1812 Rising nationalism in Canada
Sense of community that later influenced Confederation
Canadians earned the right to not be American
Outcomes are less clear for America
They wanted to annex Canada but failed
Tecumseh’s confederacy broken with his death
First Nation’s hope of stopping American expansion was lost
British abandoned their First Nations allies after the peace as done in the past.
Border maintained at the 49th parallel.

33. Rick Mercer – War of 1812
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34. Sources:
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