War of 1812 Essay free essay sample

War of 1812 Although the American’s had been â€Å"independent† from the British since the end of the Revolutionary War, the British continued to harass and mettle in American affairs. While Madison was seeking reelection the War Hawks in Congress had declared war on Britain in June 18. On paper the rag-tag American was seen as incapable of defeating the superior British forces for a second time. However this war would have an unexpected results as neither side would be the â€Å"victory†.Even the United States wasn’t able to gain any new territory to their growing collection and the borders were returned to the way they had been (status quo antebellum), Americans were able to declare victory in the War of 1812 because they were able to enter a period of economic independence from the world (Europe) which carried on to the Era of Good Feeling as well as hold its own against what was concerned the strongest fighting force in the world at the time. We will write a custom essay sample on War of 1812 Essay or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page Although the American forces were successful in defending American land from being taken by the British they weren’t able to acquire any addition territory for the expanding US. Under the arm of Oliver Perry the US was not only able to defend themselves from the British at the Great Lakes but they were able to dominate The British and severely enervate them. At finally battle of the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans, the Americans were able to take advantage of the British army’s poor tactics of war and completely eliminate the British force by killing 2000 soldiers compared to 70 Americans killed.The Treaty of Ghent, which was signed before the Battle of New Orleans, official ended the war and would establish the status quo antebellum, with no loss of territory either way. Although the Americans weren’t able to gain any lands from the war they were able to gain some economic independence from the world, mainly Europe. The US was able to gain a big sense of economic independence from the world which was mainly Europe at the time. This economic independence would result before the war would even begin as both France and Britain would continue to violate American trading rights.In 1807 Thomas Jefferson would declare for the halt of American trade with Europe with the Embargo Act. However this would hurt Americans because they had cut off their only source of trade and thus the Embargo Act was replaced with the Non-Intercourse Act of 1809. This act stated that the US will trade with everyone but the French and the British, but that they would resume trade with them as soon as these two stop violating American rights. The stubborn powers won’t budge leading to Macon’s Bill #2. This said the US would trade with everyone but would stop trade with one of the two powers if one of them stop violating American’s rights. Britain would act on this quickly to snubbed French trade. However by the war’s end the American had began to rely on American made good rather than on good manufacture in Europe and thus they gain a sense of economic independence. The American were always able to declare a sense of victory by being able to hold its own against the huge global power Britain.The US was able to gain a great sense of pride by being able to hold their own against a powerful British force. Although the Americans were able to defeat to defeat the British in the Revolutionary War to gain their independence they were still seen as a weakling in Britain’s eyes. Because the British viewed affairs in America as insignificant they would not send their premier forces to fight against the rag-tag Americans, this would backfire greatly. The generals that lead the British forces would have poor war tactics which would ultimately lead to their doom.However the British weren’t alone in this war as they would have the aid of Tecumseh and his coalition of indian tribes that wanted to rid their lands of American frontiers. The Americans would make quick of the indians at the Battle of Thames in which Tecumseh would die and his coalition was destroyed. It was the American and British one on one in what looked like a battle in which the Americans were gaining momentum. Due to communication being very slow in those times, the Battle of New Orleans would take place after the Treaty of Ghent was signed.This would result in the massacre of the British army with the Americans having their heads high. Britain would, for the first time in history, notice American as a formidable power. Although the War of 1812 didn’t lead to a formal victory for the Americans were able to prove that they could hold down the British army and would gain a sense of economic independence even though they wouldn’t acquire any new territory. This would make the stepping stones that would lead to America become a true global power along side Europe.