Okay, before you set loose the lynch mob, at least let me explain why I'm making this thread: I'm making it because there hasn't really been a thread made to actually specifically discuss the War of 1812 itself, rather than a POD based on or around the War of 1812; there has been lots of discussion and debate about the OTL War of 1812, but this is scattered across multiple threads.
Some generic discussion points:
What were the causes of the war? Was it unfair British impressment of US merchant ships or was it US refusal to cooperate with the British in their anti-slavery policy? Did the US see this as an opportunity to take Canada and deal a great blow to a Britain that was preoccupied with a war against France? Did the British take their eye off the ball in North America after the French threat in North America disappeared?
What were the war aims of the US? Taking Canada or stopping British impressment? What were the war aims of the UK? Was the conquest of the United States ever part of any British war aims? What were both the UK's and US's primary and secondary war aims?
What was the result of the war? Was it a British or US victory? A stalemate? Were the results on a strategic or tactical level different from each other? How badly could the war have realistically gone for either side? Should the burning of the White House be seen more as a symbolic victory rather than a significant victory? Or should it count as a major British victory?
Lot's of questions, much to discuss.
Enjoy.
Some generic discussion points:
What were the causes of the war? Was it unfair British impressment of US merchant ships or was it US refusal to cooperate with the British in their anti-slavery policy? Did the US see this as an opportunity to take Canada and deal a great blow to a Britain that was preoccupied with a war against France? Did the British take their eye off the ball in North America after the French threat in North America disappeared?
What were the war aims of the US? Taking Canada or stopping British impressment? What were the war aims of the UK? Was the conquest of the United States ever part of any British war aims? What were both the UK's and US's primary and secondary war aims?
What was the result of the war? Was it a British or US victory? A stalemate? Were the results on a strategic or tactical level different from each other? How badly could the war have realistically gone for either side? Should the burning of the White House be seen more as a symbolic victory rather than a significant victory? Or should it count as a major British victory?
Lot's of questions, much to discuss.
Enjoy.