War of 1812 a 'forgotten war' - Page 4 - Historum

pinguin · October 27th, 2009, 03:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ritocal

Americans don't like to talk about the time the Canadians kicked our butts.

That's a good one. 1812 at the same level of Vietnam ...

Who would have though Canadians were right in theirs pride on 1812.

**HistoryFreak1912** · October 27th, 2009, 04:08 AM

I never understood why Britain invaded the US really. What was the point? To reclaim their former colonies? Why would they want to do that after they recognized that the US was a free and independent country after the Revolution?

pinguin · October 27th, 2009, 04:33 AM

If British invaded the Americans once (settling Amerindian lands)... Why couldn't they do twice?

**Patito de Hule** · October 27th, 2009, 04:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistoryFreak1912

I never understood why Britain invaded the US really. What was the point? To reclaim their former colonies? Why would they want to do that after they recognized that the US was a free and independent country after the Revolution?

Just an opinion, but I think it was the dying gasp of mercantilism. Rule the seas.

Don't forget besides the Declaration of Independence, the Wealth of Nations was also published in 1776.

**Belisarius** · October 27th, 2009, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistoryFreak1912

I never understood why Britain invaded the US really. What was the point? To reclaim their former colonies? Why would they want to do that after they recognized that the US was a free and independent country after the Revolution?

1. The U.S. declared war on Britain
2. The U.S. invaded British Canada with the avowed aim of annexation.

**Toltec** · October 27th, 2009, 05:00 AM

I think this covers the history,

at least as Canadians see it.

YouTube - War In 1812 Song

**Belisarius** · October 27th, 2009, 06:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Toltec

I think this covers the history,

at least as Canadians see it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tRwiH...eature=related

ROFL

**HistoryFreak1912** · October 27th, 2009, 07:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belisarius

1. The U.S. declared war on Britain

Quote:

Originally Posted by Belisarius

2. The U.S. invaded British Canada with the avowed aim of annexation.

Oh! I see, I see. I forgot about that.

Yeah, we did declare war on you guys. Honestly, I hope they were thinking it through because the last time America fought Britain back in the Revolution, we went running to France and Spain for help because we were getting our butts pounded by your army.

I wonder if the thought of TALKING it out with Britain ever cross their minds? Probably not.

Also, why invade Canada? That just leaves less men to protect the mainland when the British are coming after you.

*shakes head*

**pikeshot1600** · October 27th, 2009, 07:26 AM

Don't make too much out of the invasion of Canadian territory. The strategic issue was control of the major choke points on the St Lawrence River valley, and the advantage that would have as a bargaining chip in any peace negotiations....didn't work, but the idea made sense.

Remember, much of that area was - French speaking, and that loyalty was not assured to the brits.

Annexing Canada....hmmmm. We had a hard enough time subduing swamp Indians in Florida 20-30 years later. :0

**Patito de Hule** · October 27th, 2009, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HistoryFreak1912

Oh! I see, I see. I forgot about that.

Yeah, we did declare war on you guys. Honestly, I hope they were thinking it through because the last time America fought Britain back in the Revolution, we went running to France and Spain for help because we were getting our butts pounded by your army.

I wonder if the thought of TALKING it out with Britain ever cross their minds? Probably not.

Also, why invade Canada? That just leaves less men to protect the mainland when the British are coming after you.

*shakes head*

First time around, we were formed an alliance with France and Spain. Second time around England was involved in Napoleonic Wars.

England was doing a job on us on the high seas, seizing ships and impressing our civilian sailors for their warships.

We did discuss the matter. If we'd waited just a little bit longer to declare war we'd have gotten results in terms of rescinding their orders to molest our ships. The news was just too slow across that big gulf.

Likewise, the war had ended but we didn't have the news yet when the battle of New Orleans was won and lost--our biggest victory in the whole war and all for naught except to make Jackson a hero.

:shakes head: