Can the War of 1812 be legitimatley described as the 'Second War of American Independence'?

Answer 1

No. It is more accurately described as the first war of American expansionism. Remember that Britain was busy fighting Napolean at the time. When France lost N. America to britain in the 1750s it was happy to side with the Americans in 1776 to 1783. Unfortunately for them the french people said Why aren't we getting rid of our monarchy? They did and within two years it went bad. The Freemasons were involved in both but the french revolution was hijacked by the illuminati et al.
It can also be described as a continuing war to eradicate the native indians to continue expanding over the Appalachians. A large part of the fighting for the British/Canadian side was done by the indians of ohio, indiana, michigan and illinois. To call it the second war of independence is to rewrite history to favour and justify American actions. Research the lives of indian leaders like Tecumseh and Blackhawk.

Answer 2

in a way it can, it a way it cannot.
the war was fought for three big reasons.
#1) England knew we had close ties with France, and they were at war with France. so they started boycotting American goods and harrassing our merchant ships out at sea.
#2) we wanted to prove that we were a sovereign nation who could hold their own among global affairs.
#3) since England was already at war with France, we figured we could take control of Canada and they would be too busy to stop us.

we were not fighting for independence in the same sense as the Revolutionary War, because this time we were not fighting an occupation to get out of our land, we were physically free.
we were fighting to preserve the independence we gained, and for the right to be treated as equals.

Answer 3

Absolutely! It was the first test of the actual United States.