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War Of 1812 Dbq

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The War of 1812, also known as “Mr. Madison’s War”, was caused by three main disputes between the British and the Americans: several trade acts oppressing America’s trade with both France and Britain, the recruiting of unwilling American men into the Royal Navy, and the British support of Native Americans resisting expansion. Although the unfair actions of the British brought forth much animosity from many Americans, there were still a good number of people opposing the war. There were many arguments between several political parties, and disagreements about the war continued on through the duration of it. According to A People & A Nation, the Americans were, yet again, ill-equipped for battle. War campaigns were carried out …show more content…

General William Hull, an inexperienced and somewhat craven soldier, “waged a timid campaign, retreating more than he attacked” (233). His retreat and abandonment of many forts “left the entire Midwest exposed to the enemy” (233). The first land victory of the Americans was the defense of Fort Harrison in Indiana Territory by Captain Zachary Taylor. The next major victory for the Americans was the “shipbuilding race” between the U.S. and the British. The Americans outbuilt the British and defeated them at the Battle of Put-in-Bay, giving Americans control of Lake Erie. The greatest and most successful land campaigns were led by General William Henry Harrison. His men, including the Kentucky militia volunteers, captured Detroit and defeated the British, Shawnee and Chippewa forces at the Battle of the Thames. The U.S. was able to acquire much needed war materials from their victories, and also regain control of the Northwest. In addition, the Americans burned the Canadian capital of York. However, in retaliation, the British burned Washington D.C. to the ground. The final battle of the war was the Battle of New Orleans. On January 8, 1815, the U.S. and British faced off in a much needed battle to end the war. The poorly trained soldiers of the U.S. held their ground against the well-equipped British forces. Miraculously, more than 2,000 British soldiers were either killed or

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