The War of 1812

On June 1, 1812, President James Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war on Britain. More than two weeks later, on June 18, 1812, Congress agreed upon the declaration, but the votes displayed a divided Congress: House, 79 to 49 for war; Senate, 19 to 13 for war. This division reflected the greater separation among the citizens of the nation. While the “war hawks” chanted, “On to Canada, on to Canada,” the Federalists discussed New England’s succession from the Union. However, the war ultimately ended with victories on the seas and at New Orleans, which boosted American nationalism and foreign respect. For the twelve years after the war, America flourished economically and nationally at home and abroad. This declaration of war started a new chapter in America’s history and gained her a lasting status as an independent nation.

While Americans rejoiced at the end of the War of 1812, due to the victory at New Orleans, British citizens reacted otherwise. In the London Times, a reporter accuses America of agreeing to the treaty out of a desire to form a “hollow peace” in order to sabotage British soldiers in America and invade Canada. The article calls America a fraud and discusses how British citizens feel entrapped and forced to submit to the treaty. This article represents the fact that no one likes to lose. Shortly after the War of 1812, Britain became Great Britain and established the largest world empire of the 19th century. America succeeded during the War of 1812 in defeating the legendary British Navy and signing a peace agreement that yielded no concessions for either side. For the rest of the 19th century, America remained completely independent from Britain without entering armed conflict again. The War of 1812 cut the last apron strings between America and the Mother Country, and the British eventually came to respect the United States as a strong democracy, an equal, and a friend.