War Of 1812

Keith Benson Military/Diplomatic History Dr. Dorwart 2.4.2006 Response to the Causes of the War of 1812 Causes of 1812, an anthology of viewpoints and perspectives regarding the war’s causes was collected by Bradford Perkins of University of Michigan, and published in 1962. Complete with chronology of events which contributed to America’s “second war of Independence”, and state by state congressional voting record on the Declaration of War, Causes of 1812 offers a variety of suppositions as to the most likely and proximate cause of this war. Professors such as A.L. Burt, teacher of Canadian history at University of Minnesota, Louis Hacker of Columbia University and historian Julius Pratt are among a host of other professors, economists and historians whose works are included in this collection. Our core reading in Major Problems is American Military History focused greatly on the maturation of America in terms of nationhood, its military and methods for conducting war. We see a gradual shift in America’s populace and legislative stance from allowing local and state militias only, as evidence by the Articles of Confederation, I. Brutus’ “To the Citizens of the State of New York”, and George Washington’s letter, toward more widespread acceptance of a standing American military force; as the Bill of Rights and Alexander Hamilton’s document exhibit. This shift of perception, as in the case with every historical phenomenon, did not take place in a vacuum. Chronologically, we see the first document of the week’s reading, the Articles of Confederation, dated 1777, to Andrew Jackson’s Proclamation in 1812, America had already fought one war which lasted eight years and spent the latter 1790’s up to 1812 trying to avoid another war while readying for its potential, and finally participating in the War of 1812 versus Britain. International events that posed domestic consequences led to Americans’ recognition for the need for a broader and centralized military, and were largely motivated by occurrences which threatened America’s sovereignty and, thus, her survival as her own nation.

Bradford Perkins’ Causes of the War of 1812, generally asserts the War of 1812 was caused by restrictions the British put on American foreign trade in 1807, the attack on the “Chesapeake” by the HMS Leopard, British impressments of American sailors and last, and latest, the opportunity to increase American lands by gobbling lands in Canada. America, still overwhelmingly agrarian in the early 1800s, following the purchase of Louisiana Territory in 1805 was presented with enormous economic opportunity for new farmers in the western regions of the county; areas like Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee. And during a time when France and Britain were at war physically and economically, American farmers, especially in the south and west gained substantial financial success as both nations’ primary importer (due to Washington’s adhered to policy of stringent neutrality). The prosperity of American farmers, however, was soon curtailed in 1807 with Britain’s Orders in Council which in effect, through seizure or capture, prevented American merchants from selling American goods abroad to nations other than Britain, thus, crippling once-prosperous American farmers and manufacturers. “After November 11, 1807, any American vessel carrying any cargo was liable to capture if it sailed for any port in Europe from which the British flag was excluded. (30)” And as the evidenced by the map showing Congressional members who were pro-war in 1812, the overwhelming consistency is that westerners and southerners were very much in support of war with Britain. Next, Bradford Perkins uses a passage by Henry Adams, “The Chesapeake and the Orders in Council” to explicate the happenings at Lynnhaven Bay off the coast of Virginia in June 1807. Sailing down the Chesapeake Bay the “Chesapeake” was accosted by the HMS Leopard. Capt. Decatur of the “Chesapeake” refused the HMS Leopard’s demand of boarding the “Chesapeake” in search of deserting British sailor and supplies for France. Subsequently, the Chesapeake was fired upon until Decatur surrendered and allowed the British to board the ship and impress four seamen; one of whom was an American citizen. Following this act of armed aggression on behalf of the British, American citizens grew enraged and the English arrived at the conclusion war was not far off. Stalling from battle, and trying to avoid a costly war, in accordance with George Washington’s Farewell Address, Jefferson enacted the Embargo Act of 1807 – but this measure was not enough avert war. Adams writes, “Even in England, where Jefferson’s

pacific policy was well understood, few men believed that peace could be longer preserved. (31)” Andrew Johnson’s Proclamation in Major Problems and the Louis Hacker’s “Desire for Canadian Land” are similar in that their motives and suppositions concerning the cause of the War of 1812 were not in response to British impressments, the firing on the Chesapeake, or the crippling of American foreign trade. In fact, contrary to the other primary documents in our text, and other articles in Causes of the War of 1812, the justification for war given by both Hacker and Johnson was not solely defensive, or in the interest of self preservation, but an ambitious opportunity to gain lands in Canada. Hacker argues farming Americans in western areas like Tennessee and Kentucky yearned for more land in which to farm and make profitable, of which Canada possessed plenty. Hacker states, “That is to say, the war of 1812 was ordered by an agrarian people interested and sustained by the soil and was to have as its goal the acquisition of Canada because Canada stood for great reserves of agricultural land. In short, the west desired Canada and therefore desired war with England. (46)” Andrew Johnson, in a clarion call to take up arms against the British in 1812 to Tennessee’s youth and able bodied men, also mentions the potential to acquire Canadian lands, as well as British impressments and trade restrictions to motivate men of Tennessee to volunteer their participation. Johnson enthusiastically wrote, “Should the occupation of the Canadas be resolved upon by the general government how pleasing the prospect that would be open to the young volunteer while performing a military promenade in a distant country. (108)” International forces following America’s war for Independence gradually motivated Americans to recognize the need for more centralized military force; and recognize that no longer would the local militia suffice to protect American towns and interests from foreign “belligerents.” With the starting of the War of 1812, through reading the text and Bradford Perkins’ book, we see Americans becoming more receptive to this reality. It seems the War of 1812 was indeed a defensive war; one to help preserve and secure America’s sovereignty and security. However, as war seemed increasingly inevitable, Americans invariably sought something to be gained by engaging in war and

Canadian lands provided all the motivation America needed.