Introduction
The War of 1812 was fought between United States of America and United Kingdom of Great Britain in the year 1812. Due to its huge significance in the American history, this war is also known as the second American war for liberty. The war is not only important for the United States of America only but it substantially affected England and Canada in the coming years. This paper intends to discuss the war of 1812 along with several related aspects and further discusses the factors which turned out to be the turning points of the war.
Background
On probing the reasons of this war, it becomes clear that the war of 1812 was indispensable due to a number of specially emerged situations. England imposed a number of trade related restrictions on the United States of America in the year of 1907. By these restrictions, England intended to prevent America from involving into any kind of trade with France with which English were at war. This arbitrary step was not only widely criticized in America but they also were agitated due to such sanctions by any external force and they started making their minds to oppose such things in future. Apart from this, Americans and British both were having with some expansion ambitions and this lead them to a war. America wanted its territories expanded while British wanted the sovereignty to Indian states in the region.
Beginning of the War
A war with Great Britain was declared by the Americans due to above said reasons in the June of 1812. The war was fought on the Atlantic Ocean coasts, North American eastern coasts, great lakes, Canadian frontier and territories of southern states. British forces defeated Americans and captured several crucial forts from them in the beginning of the war. Americans probably feared or probably not prepared for such war with British forces. A number of clashes and battles took place in the two parties. Indians were accompanying British while Americans were fighting alone. Several occasions came when both the parties to war considered that they are going to win but turned out at turning point. Americans initially lost several clashes and battles like Fort Mackinac, Fort Detroit, and Fort Dearborn to the British and it was Fort Meigs that gave them some relief .
Turning points of 1812 war
Battle of Fort Meigs
The battle of Fort Meigs is also known as the turning point of the 1812 war. The fort was built at the banks of Maumee River as a strategic location to counter the British expedition. The reason of building this fort was to defend their position by the Americans; the fort was very well structured and strongly built. General William Henry Harrison successfully and strategically managed to set up this fort as American defensive spot and results show that it worked for them. All the British efforts to seize the fort were frustrated and Americans remained in the control of their fort for the first time. On 25th April, 1813 British troops in the leadership of Henry Procter, attacked on the fort meigs with British forces and Indian armed men. Seize of fort meigs continued for almost five days but British could not capture the fort like other forts they won previously even after their heavy bombarding and all other efforts. They fought well but Americans got reinforcement when they were fighting with a number of internal odds like lack of water and lack of arms and ammunition inside the fort. The victory of fort meigs paved the way of further successful war operations for the Americans in the 1812 war while it became a nightmare for the British forces after testing a number of victories. They could not capture the fort even after good support from Indians. A huge number of people from both the sides were killed in the war of fort meigs. General Harrison was an experienced man who knew that to stop British from further operations, it is good to set up a defence base first and frustrate the efforts of British lieutenants. British could not capture fort meigs irrespective of their several efforts and this fort became a good strategic location for the Americans in their future expedition.
Battle of Stoney Creek
Battle of Stoney Creek was fought between American and British forces in the June, 1813. In this battle john Harvey and john Vincent lead British forces while john chandler and William winder were leading American forces. English forces attacked the fort during night and managed to enter in the American camp and in a very dramatic war which lasted only one hour, British forces defeated American forces very badly. In this war two American generals and several other army officials were captivated by the British armed forces. This battle was a blow for the Americans but it was a real victory for British. Though there are several people who say that the scene of the war have been certainly different if the American generals were not captivated by the British forces. The significance of the battle of Stoney Creek was felt in subsequent times especially during defence of the regions of Upper Canada. Both the parties suffered a heavy loss in respect of man power. The place has been beautifully developed displaying some memories of the 1812 in the recent times.
After having observed the above mentioned discussion, it is good to conclude that the war of 1812 is a significant chapter in the history of America, Canada and Great Britain. Abovementioned events were actual turning points of the 1812 war and played important role in the rest of the war. The 1812 war is one of very few wars that made god relations and established peace in the subsequent times once this war was over. As we can see America and the Great Britain, the two parties of the 1812 war are very close and friendly countries in today times. The effects of the war were significant and results were even more important for the affected countries. Wesley b. turner says it rightly that this war is fought between the two countries but both are the winners.
Works Cited
ARMSTRONG, JOHN. THE WAR OF 1812. New York: George Dearborn, 1836.
Coles, Harry L. The War of 1812. London: University of Chicago Press, 1965.
Hickey, Donald R. The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict. Illinois: University of Illinois Press, 2012.
Turner, Wesley B. The War of 1812: The War That Both Sides Won. Canada: Dundurn Press Ltd, 2000.
