alternatehistory.com
War of 1812
For this week-end, we will focus on the United States, with particular attention to the love-hate relationship between the U.S and U.K and why it tends to go towards the latter, with one old and one recent example. We will also have the 2016 US election infobox on Sunday. In the meantime, let's go back to where it all started...
The War of 1812 was fought between the United Kingdom and their Indian and Canadian allies and the United States and its Indian allies. Despite the European continent being at peace, the U.K still enforced a naval blockade around France, and needed to man its ships, impressing U.S sailors into service. The U.S on the other hand, eyed the lightly defended Canadian colonies, and with support from the War Hawks in Congress, pursued an aggressive policy towards the United Kingdom.
On June 18th 1812, the U.S declared war on the U.K and entered Canada. However, this decision would prove to be disastrious, as the U.S got repeatedly beaten in Canada, and forced back towards the border by the end of the year. By then reinforcements had come in from the U.K, who landed in Maryland, burning Washington D.C down to the ground, and pushing towards Philadelphia, which fell in the beginning of 1815. Another British contingent landed in Louisiana, led by Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. There he met Andrew Jackson, who he severely beat at the Battle of New Orleans. According to folklore, Jackson, seeing his army being encircled, tried to disguise himself as a beggar, but was recognized by one of his slave aids who had defected to the British during Wellesley's march on Baton Rouge. "Beggar Jackson"'s reputation would be tarnished forever, and he would spend the rest of his career on far away postings on the western frontier.
By 1816, the Treaty of London was signed with France, which ended the European Blockade as well as the Continental System, bringing the decades long staredown to an end. With that, the U.K focused on the U.S, who found themselves at a loss. With the British pushing in Maine, holding to Maryland and Philadelphia, and despite Harrison's heroic stand at Vicksburg, on their way to securing the Mississippi. The U.S had some success, at the Battle of Princeton (1816), the British advance was halted, while Harrison held Vicksburg, delaying Wellington's advance hugely, and Tecumseh's Confederacy had been crushed.
Despite this, the U.S were forced to sue for peace. On June 17th, 1817, the Treaty of Liverpool was signed, with the British emerging as clear victors. Not only did the U.S have to pay hefty reparations (which included much of their navy being seized), the U.S also had to abandon any claims on the Oregon Territory, and lost Northern Maine and the Red River Basin.
The U.S would look west for its expansion, towards Spain and Mexico, while the U.K took their revenge for the American War of Independence and established a position of power on the American continent. The U.S would not forget about their loss though...
The War of 1812 was fought between the United Kingdom and their Indian and Canadian allies and the United States and its Indian allies. Despite the European continent being at peace, the U.K still enforced a naval blockade around France, and needed to man its ships, impressing U.S sailors into service. The U.S on the other hand, eyed the lightly defended Canadian colonies, and with support from the War Hawks in Congress, pursued an aggressive policy towards the United Kingdom.
On June 18th 1812, the U.S declared war on the U.K and entered Canada. However, this decision would prove to be disastrious, as the U.S got repeatedly beaten in Canada, and forced back towards the border by the end of the year. By then reinforcements had come in from the U.K, who landed in Maryland, burning Washington D.C down to the ground, and pushing towards Philadelphia, which fell in the beginning of 1815. Another British contingent landed in Louisiana, led by Arthur Wellesley, Duke of Wellington. There he met Andrew Jackson, who he severely beat at the Battle of New Orleans. According to folklore, Jackson, seeing his army being encircled, tried to disguise himself as a beggar, but was recognized by one of his slave aids who had defected to the British during Wellesley's march on Baton Rouge. "Beggar Jackson"'s reputation would be tarnished forever, and he would spend the rest of his career on far away postings on the western frontier.
By 1816, the Treaty of London was signed with France, which ended the European Blockade as well as the Continental System, bringing the decades long staredown to an end. With that, the U.K focused on the U.S, who found themselves at a loss. With the British pushing in Maine, holding to Maryland and Philadelphia, and despite Harrison's heroic stand at Vicksburg, on their way to securing the Mississippi. The U.S had some success, at the Battle of Princeton (1816), the British advance was halted, while Harrison held Vicksburg, delaying Wellington's advance hugely, and Tecumseh's Confederacy had been crushed.
Despite this, the U.S were forced to sue for peace. On June 17th, 1817, the Treaty of Liverpool was signed, with the British emerging as clear victors. Not only did the U.S have to pay hefty reparations (which included much of their navy being seized), the U.S also had to abandon any claims on the Oregon Territory, and lost Northern Maine and the Red River Basin.
The U.S would look west for its expansion, towards Spain and Mexico, while the U.K took their revenge for the American War of Independence and established a position of power on the American continent. The U.S would not forget about their loss though...
- Wings
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