 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
 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.
 British stopped American ships and searched for navy
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deserters and contraband.
British captains seized native-born Americans an 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.
 May 1, 1811: HMS Guerriere seized and American sailor
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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.
 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)
 Had been preparing for five years (reinforcing
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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.
 American forces led by General Hull crossed from
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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
 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 BritishCanadian 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.
 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
 Americans tried to retake Detroit but were so badly
defeated at Frenchtown (January 22, 1813) by British,
Canadian and First Nations forces under LieutenantColonel Procter, they abandoned any further attempts
that winter.
 After the death of Brock, the British took a defensive
strategy, keeping forces strong in Quebec.
 April 27, 1813 - 16 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.
 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.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_emb
edded&v=p1nFOAp5KCw
 Americans suffer another major defeat at the hands of
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First Nations forces.
300 Caughnawaga, and 100 Mohawk warriors defeated
the Americans after 3 hours of fighting.
American forces surrendered because they 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, 20-25
wounded.
 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
 September 10, 1813 – Battle of Put-in-Bay - British and
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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.
 Very important battle for Canadian nationalism
 American general Hampton met an all-Canadian/First
Nations force led by French Canadian lieutenantcolonel Charles de Salaberry
 Canadians outnumbered 10-1
 Americans could not breach barricades
 Confused, panicked and fearful, they had to retreat.
 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
 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.
 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.
 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?
 Rising nationalism in Canada
 Sense of community that later influenced
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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.
 https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_deta
ilpage&v=wLa0mUWAiVk
 Sources:
 http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/w
ar-of-1812/
 http://www.eighteentwelve.ca/