The reasons for war
The war of 1812 was a war fought between the Americans and the British. It started when Britain made trade restrictions to delay the American trade with France. The Britains also wanted a part of America to expand Canada. The native Canadians were providing armed resistance against the Americans who were trying to expand the frontier into NorthWest Canada which the Canadians didn’t like and that was a huge factor during the declaration of war.
The declaration of war
On June 1, 1812 the president at the time (James Maddison) sent a message to the congress reminding them of Great Britains wrongdoings towards the American but Madison was not specifically calling for a war. There was a vote for weather or not to declare war, 61% voted in favour of the first declaration of war. The war of 1812 officially started on June 18, 1812. This was the first time the Unite States declared war on another country.
How were the first nations involved
The British army had 243, 885 soldiers but only 6, 000 were stationed in Canada so they were in desperate need of more soldiers. The American army had over 7, 000 troops in the United States . There were first nation soldiers on each side of the war but they had a low population. Due to the low population they fought in favourable conditions and their tactics were more defensive. Any times they could avoid mass death they would. They were most useful in raids and ambushes.
The main battles and invasions
On October 13, 1812 the British foyers one the battle of Queenston Heights in Upper Canada. This was the first major battle of the war. April 27, 1813 American forces captured York (Toronto), the capital of Upper Canada. September 10, 1813 the naval battle of Lake Erie occured. 9 American vessels capture 6 British vessels. Fort Niagra was captured by the British forces in December 1813. It was one of the very important posts for the Americans because it was near the outlet to Lake Ontario. One of the most memorable events during the war of 1812 took place on August 24, 1814 when the British troops invaded Washington D. C and Burt the White House. It was revenge for the destruction of port Dover in Upper Canada. This was the only in American history that Washington was invaded and occupied by another country.
