Ask anybody what they know about the War of 1812 and you're likely to get as many confused faces as you are diverse answers. It really depends on who you ask.
For example, Canadians (especially in the Niagara region) have the best passive knowledge, because of how close the war hit to home; however, even that number is staggeringly low. We might think of Laura Secord and her "300-kilometer journey barefoot, dodging American patrols and leading her trusty cow to warn the British." (Actually, her contribution to the war has been grossly over-exaggerated, but more on her later). Perhaps they'd think of Brock's Monument up at Queenston Heights, or "wasn't there some kind of fight near Lundy's Lane?" (Yup, the bloodiest battle of the war.) Canadians also tend to believe the British won the war, as we're an independent country and not the 51st state today.
Americans, on the other hand, tend to take a slightly different view. Those that know of the war, felt it didn't have any significance, which is their way of narrowly admitting defeat. While the Revolutionary and Civil wars get chapter upon chapter in American history textbook, 1812 is lucky to receive more than a paragraph. If it does, it mentions one of three events: the American victory on Lake Erie, the Siege of Fort McHenry in Baltimore (which gave them their national anthem), or the Battle of New Orleans, tragically remembered best in Johnny Horton's wildly exaggerated song. Oh and many of them think they won (when logic and explanation of historical fact fail to persuade an American visitor to the fort about this, I flash this beauty: "Why hasn't Hollywood made a movie about it?").
Ask the British about the War of 1812 and the most common response you'll get: "The war of what?" Dealing with Napoleon at the time, what happened in the Canadian colonies was merely an unnecessary pain the the backside that Britain could ill-afford to commit resources to.
As I've mentioned previously, when I started at Fort George I knew almost nothing about this conflict. I'm grateful that ignorance is gone.
Quiz time! What do you know about the War of 1812? Let me know in the comments.
Next week: How this whole conflict started, including why Thomas Jefferson thought the acquisition of Canada would be "a mere matter of marching."
-J-
Quiz answer! (I hope this is right, or this is royally embarassing)
ReplyDeleteBut didn't American slaves flee to the British because the British offered them freedom? And then they settled them in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. The U.S. weren't happy about the British not returning the slaves, so Britain reimbursed the slaveowners. (I'm not sure the amount).
Bloodiest battle of the war ! Lundy's Lane ? That is crazy. To think I drive over what was once potentially a battle field every time I go *lose* money at Fallsview. The pictures of you in uniform are quite cool as well !
ReplyDeleteI have to admit, I'm guilty of not knowing very much about the War of 1812. I suppose I have some passive knowledge, like you mentioned, but I should definitely make an effort to learn more. Your job at Fort George seems like it's a lot of fun and you're doing an awesome job with your blog.
ReplyDeleteJarrod,
ReplyDeleteThanks for the history recap. I have minimal knowledge regarding the War of 1812 and I am glad you provided me with some valuable insight on it. Thank you!