May 29, 2020
War of 1812 E41 Three Fronts, No Plan: The U.S. Fails in Canada
The War of 1812 was supposed to be a quick conflict. Madison believed that with Britain preoccupied in Europe, the U.S. could take Canada in a matter of months and force the British to the negotiating table. He was wrong. The early months of the war exposed just how unprepared the U.S. military was. Disorganization, poor leadership, and logistical failures turned what should have been an easy campaign into a disaster. At the same time, political divisions at home made the war even harder to fight. But while the Army struggled, the Navy had a different story. Against all odds, American warships—including the legendary Constitution—took the fight to the British and won. Today, we'll break down the opening moves of the war, the failed invasion of Canada, and the first major American victory—one that didn't happen on land, but at sea.
References
- Abbot, W. J. (1899). The naval history of the United States. New York: Peter Fenelon Collier.
- Brenton, E. P. (1970). The naval history of Great Britain: from the year Mdcclxxxiii. to Mdcccxxxvi. London: H. Colburn.
- Cooper, J. F. (1856). History of the Navy of the United States of America: continued to 1856. New York: Stringer & Townsend.
- Dundonald, T. E. of. (1860). The autobiography of a seaman. London: Bentley.
- James, W., & Chamier, F. (1847). The naval history of Great Britain, from the declaration of war by France in 1793, to the accession of George Iv. London: R. Bentley.
- Marshall, J. (1835). Royal Naval Biography: Or, Memoirs of the Services of All the Flag-Officers, Superannuated Rear-Admirals, Retired-Captains, Post-Captains, and Commanders. Place of publication not identified: publisher not identified.
- Miller, W. M., & Tyson, C. A. (1965). A chronology of the United States Marine Corps. Washington: Historical Branch, G-3 Division Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps.
- Roosevelt, T. (2011). The Naval War of 1812, or, The history of the United States Navy during the last war with Great Britain: to which is appended an account of the Battle of New Orleans. United States: publisher not identified.
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