did the US win or lose the War of 1812?

Question

think about the causes that plunged the US into the war.
was it impressment or was it Canada...Do you think America cared enough about sailors to pursue war?
in the end british ceased to impress sailors. but america certainly did not get canada upon which many like to say "we didnt lose any land"
do u like me think impressment was an excuse and the real reason was to conquer Canada? if yes how realistic was this goal? and how cunningly have textbooks covered up the unerlying reason (Canada)? does the textual bias bother anyone?

i just want to say that the more recent texts acknowledge this and many try their best to be neutral. my text does NOT take a stand my opinion is not influenced by it but rather by taking all aspects into account.
a 50 yr old text may be more pro-american. you never kno they like to protect america's rep.
but dont let ur text tell u...take into consideration the facts and decide for urself

****consider this:
the reason why Britain stopped impressing sailors is not because they lost. it is because they no longer had the NEED for them DUE TO THE END OF THE NAPOLEONIC WARS!!!!!
and WE DID NOT GET CANADA!!!!

Answer 1

The original intention of the war of 1812 was to annex Canada to get back at Britain for imprisoning American Sailors, Not fulfilling trade obligation and to assert it's Independence as a nation.

However The American forces were unable to annex Canada, in effect the British forces Canadian Provincial forces were effectively able to capture American land, and burn the white house.
All Land was forfeited in order to reach a peace agreement.

Since the initial objective of the war was not achieved it cannot be considered a true victory on the part of America.

Answer 2

The relationship between Britain and the United States had been frigid since the latter gained their independence from the former. Trade had been substantial but diplomatic relations consisted of each party ignoring the other’s existence.

In 1793, Britain went to war against France in what became known as the Napoleonic Wars. The United States was neutral during this conflict but hostilities between the two belligerents interfered with its trade. The Royal Navy blockaded French ports and obliged all neutral shipping, especially American vessels, bound for France, to call first at a British port and pay duties on its cargo before being allowed to proceed. Furthermore the Royal Navy frequently stopped United States ships and pressed into service those seamen who had either deserted from the Royal Navy or were vaguely suspected of having deserted. This policy so incensed United States officials, that on 18th June 1812, President James Maddison declared war on Great Britain.

The Americans were ill prepared for war. An initial incursion into Canada was easily rebuffed. There were some minor naval skirmishes particularly involving the USS Constitution, which sank several Royal Navy vessels. The British army was too involved in Europe to send troops to fight, but British interests were preserved by supplying the Shawnee tribe with armaments to attack wagon trains, heading for Oregon. The Americans sent an expeditionary force into Canada, which burnt the city of York, now Toronto, and hurriedly retreated.

By 1814, after a series of victories in Europe, Britain had available resources to mount an offensive. An amphibious British force landed at Chesapeake Bay and after defeating the American army at the battle of Blandensberg, captured the city of Washington, destroyed the Capitol building and burnt down the president’s house. This residence was rebuilt soon after but had to be painted white in order to hide the burn marks, hence the name of the White House.

After such a disturbing and humiliating defeat, the Americans called a truce and signed a peace treaty, the Treaty of Ghent, which restored matters to the state they were in before the war.

Answer 3

Any time the worlds most powerful country, in this case England, is fought to a draw, then the worlds newest country may claim a victory. My text book never covered up the Canada thing. In fact, my text took a rather amused position on the issue. Perhaps you need a new text.

PS My text was almost 50 years ago. Maybe we were less PC and more realistic in those days.

Answer 4

Britain won. The US had a number of reasons to go to war, to stop impressment, they tried to gain Canada and they wanted to stop orders in council concerning trade. By the end of the war, they had achieved none of these things, they had been soundly driven out of Canada, their economy was in ruins, and the US Navy was confined to port by the British Navy, which was 10 times its size. On top of that, the British wandered down and burnt down the Whitehouse. If that isn’t defeat for the US, I’m not sure what is.

Answer 5

Niether England or the US gained any territory from the war. As well the main cause of the war had been resolved prior to the conflict began so it was a draw. BUt you can make the argument that the since the US did not lose and was able to prevent destruction against the worlds most powerful country, that it was a win.

Answer 6

The War of 1812 was a draw

Answer 7

If we had lost the War of 1812, we'd be part of England again.

Back then, Naval shipping was the lifeblood of any Nation's economy. To impress American sailors into British service was a major threat to the US economy.

Answer 8

of course it was an excuse,usa wanted canada to be part of them,greed is the motif behind it and the same goes for the so called war of independance,the only ones that had anything to gain were the already rich and its called greed,its as simple as that,

Answer 9

We won.

You know, the presidential reason may have been to capture Canada, but if you go by what the public thought (which was way more people) they were probably pretty unhappy with the impressment of Americans by the British.

Answer 10

Draw. I realize Americans blinded by Nationalism never lose.