Mr. Madison's War
On June 18, 1812 (198 years ago today) the US Congress declared war on Great Britain leading to what would be known as the War of 1812. I don't know what most American think of that war (or if they even ever do), but Canadians think of it as a time when the US went to war with Canada (even though Canada wasn't technically a country until 1867) and we won. Perhaps that's revisionist history of the most jingoistic kind, I'll leave that debate for real historians.
The war began as the result of the ongoing feud between Britain and France, and the efforts by former presidents Adams and Jefferson and by President James Madison to stay neutral through it all. Jefferson had decided to punish Britain and France by forbidding Americans to trade with any foreign nation. The embargo failed as foreign policy, and instead caused massive hardships in the southern seaboard, which depended on foreign trade. Britain especially didn't take kindly to this and used the Royal Navy to intercept unarmed American merchant ships and "impress" (conscript) all sailors who might be British subjects for service in the British navy. Madison complained, but his protests were ignored by the British. He and the nationalist Republicans tried to stir up public opinion for war. He felt that an invasion of Canada would be easy and would provide a good bargaining chip.
Madison was great as a spin doctor, but no so great when it came to building an army. He persuaded Congress to declare war, and by doing so won re-election. The war didn't go so well and the British, Canadian and First Nation forces won numerous victories, including the capture of Detroit and the occupation of Washington, D.C. causing Madison to flee the city. The British even burned the White House.
By 1814 both sides were sick and tired of war. The British were doing better, but had just finished defeating Napoleon. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814 which restored the pre-war status quo. Neither side gained any territory.
Reputations of future presidents were built in the war however. In the days before CNN and high speed communication, word of the treaty never reached the south where Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison won huge victories including Jackson's legendary win at the Battle of New Orleans (later immortalized in song by Johnny Horton.)
Madison's decision to go to war with Britain is ranked 6th in the list of the 10 worst presidential errors as selected by a panel of historians in 2006. If you're curious what the other 9 are, go here.
The war began as the result of the ongoing feud between Britain and France, and the efforts by former presidents Adams and Jefferson and by President James Madison to stay neutral through it all. Jefferson had decided to punish Britain and France by forbidding Americans to trade with any foreign nation. The embargo failed as foreign policy, and instead caused massive hardships in the southern seaboard, which depended on foreign trade. Britain especially didn't take kindly to this and used the Royal Navy to intercept unarmed American merchant ships and "impress" (conscript) all sailors who might be British subjects for service in the British navy. Madison complained, but his protests were ignored by the British. He and the nationalist Republicans tried to stir up public opinion for war. He felt that an invasion of Canada would be easy and would provide a good bargaining chip.
Madison was great as a spin doctor, but no so great when it came to building an army. He persuaded Congress to declare war, and by doing so won re-election. The war didn't go so well and the British, Canadian and First Nation forces won numerous victories, including the capture of Detroit and the occupation of Washington, D.C. causing Madison to flee the city. The British even burned the White House.
By 1814 both sides were sick and tired of war. The British were doing better, but had just finished defeating Napoleon. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814 which restored the pre-war status quo. Neither side gained any territory.
Reputations of future presidents were built in the war however. In the days before CNN and high speed communication, word of the treaty never reached the south where Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison won huge victories including Jackson's legendary win at the Battle of New Orleans (later immortalized in song by Johnny Horton.)
Madison's decision to go to war with Britain is ranked 6th in the list of the 10 worst presidential errors as selected by a panel of historians in 2006. If you're curious what the other 9 are, go here.