who won the war of 1812?

Question

And what was the most famous battle?

Answer 1

In terms of the Treaty of Ghent, it was a "draw", returning things to their situation before the war.

BUT if you take a close look at the whole American situation in the decades leading up to the war, and how the war was a key piece in CHANGING that situation (esp vis a vis the ability to sail and trade freely), you have to conclude that America ultimately gained a great deal of its main objective in the war. So even if I wouldn't necessarily say the U.S. "won" the war, the endeavor was in key respects a "success" (even when the successes were not always directly tied to victories in battle).

In fact, part of what it gained in prestige and self-confidence was tied to Andrew Jackson's smashing triumph in the "last battle" of the war -- the Battle of New Orleans, which ironically took place AFTER the treaty was signed, but before news of this reached the U.S. (This was the 'most famous battle' you were asking about.)

Some think the U.S. actually LOST the war, but this usually stems from the mistaken notion that the war objective of the U.S. was to conquer the Canadian territories. Though this certainly played an important role, it was, in fact, NOT among the war's central causes, nor was it EVER among the official reasons given for going to war. So yes, they did fail to take Canada -- but is that "losing the war" if that's not what the WAR's purpose was??

To get the right answer it's necessary to be clear about why the war was started/what the goals were.

As I hinted, much of the misunderstanding has to do with the notion that war must be about "taking territory" (or at least that this particular war was). By that measure NO ONE won the war, since at the war's end all territories were returned to whoever controlled them before the war.

But, in fact, gaining territory was NOT the objective of EITHER side!

More specifically, two major mistakes are often made here:

a) "the British were trying to retake their former American colonies (and failed)" No, that was NOT the British objective!

b) "a key American war-aim was to take Canada (perhaps annex it), and they were repelled" No. While there were those who desired this, this was NOT the reason for attacking the British in Canada and the government never stated any such thing

In other words, our Canadian friends are operating under the misapprehension that we declared war on THEM and/or on the British in order to annex Canada. But that simply is not the case.

---------------------

The main (and stated) objectives of the U.S. are listed below. Note that each of them was, in fact, accomplished, though not necessarily all because of the war itself!

1) impressment of U.S. sailors. This was actually settled before war, with Britain largely acquiescing (though with slow communication the Americans did not yet know this)

2) interference in American TRADE, and hence with American sovereignty/independence.

This was mainly the result of the wars between Britain and France (and Americans suffered at the hands of BOTH powers). Once that war ended, the British no longer interfered in the same way. Thus the American objective was achieved, though not necessarily by the war!!

3) "Indian question" -- in the Northwest frontier wars. the British supported the Indians
this was THE reason for invading the Canadian territories. (Though some in the Western states wanted to annex the Canadian colonies, this was NOT the reason for the invasion, and the U.S. government never pushed for it.) Note, that the U.S. was indeed successful in reaching this objective. After the war the British were never again involved in assisting Indians vs. the U.S.


Although Britain was NOT attempting to retake its former colonies, all three of these issues DO have to do with the exercise of American independence/sovereignty, which was being treated rather lightly by the European powers.

Thus it is understandable that Americans regarded this as a "second war of Independence" even if it was not that in the STRICT sense. And this overarching objective -- of asserting its own sovereignty in issus of territory ("Indian question") and trade, America WAS successful.

SOME of the American success was an INDIRECT result of the war. In particular, the cutting off of trade with England ended up strengthening U.S. independent manufacture...leading to greater ECONOMIC independence.

Another indirect result -- the expansion of the American navy in order to conduct the war contributed in other ways to America's ability to assert its sovereignty. One prime example -- immediately after the War the U.S. Navy was able to fully and finally address the problem of the Barbary Pirates in the quick and very successful SECOND Barbary War (1815) . In short, by the end of 1815, and in part THROUGH the War of 1812, the U.S. finally DID accomplish the sort of freedom to sail the seas and trade as it wished -- something it had hoped to gain through the American Revolution but never quite achieved.

Further, after the War of 1812 the U.S. was bolder to proclaim (and act on) its refusal to allow ANY European interference in the Western Hemisphere (note esp. the Monroe Doctrine). As noted at the start, the strong victory at New Orleans contributed to this boldness and so helped to solidify the gains the country made through this war.

Answer 2

Technically it was a draw. However, you could say the US won, since the intent of the British invasion was to resubjegate the "colonies". Something they failed to do. Although they gained no territory, the US maintained its sovereignty. The war also marked the decline of European influence in the western hemisphere. Canada didnt exist as a Nation in 1812, so anyone saying that Canada won would be incorrect. The intent of the American incursion into what would become Canada was to drive British influence out of North America and seize key stragic settlements. That didnt happen, the march outpaced the supply lines and the garrisons were to well fortified to be routed. The Americans won some key victories in the battles around Boston and the Port of New Orleans, driving out or stoping the British advances cold. However, they lost other battles on the frontier and in DC, for example. Most of the battles actually took place after the end of hostilities, due to slow communications across the Atlantic.

Answer 3

War of 1812
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 4

No one did. The U.S. did not lose it. The most famous battle was the Battle of New Orleans, which the U.S. won. If the Americans had lost that battle, fought weeks after the peace treaty ending the war, the British might have felt confident in repudiating the Treaty of Ghent and re-opening the war with the U.S. Then, who knows what might have happened. Andrew Jackson was one of the many saviors of his country throughout our history.

Answer 5

it is considered by historians to be a draw, how ever americans claim it as a victory and most Englishmen have never even herd of it. personally i see it as a draw in the way that america eliminated the indian threat and stopped the royal navy forcing american sailors into the royal navy. yet Britain invaded the state of main and burnt down washington (including the white house) although america won most naval battles, they were small battles and could never match the royal navy on the open seas. also consider that Britain was fighting the war across an ocean and was at war with france for the majority of the war. also consider that the american goverment asked the french for help.

Answer 6

Listen to steve_geo, this war has also been called 'The war that both sides won.' If you ask most Americans, like the three people above, they will automatically tell you the U.S. won. It's called a 'knee-jerk' reaction. There are several good books out there on the subject, why not read one and get to know more of the facts?

Answer 7

Which one?

The one fought between the US & Britain, which included the Battle of New Orleans (which was actually fought after the treaty was concluded) and resulted in the Presidential Mansion so badly damaged by fire that they had to whitewash it (resulting in the "White House")?

Or the one fought in Europe, which included Napoleon's abortive march on Moscow, which is the subject of "The 1812 Overture"?

Answer 8

USA
Famous battle- Baltimore and Washington DC
That's when Francis Scott Key wrote the National Anthem and when the British burned down the White House.

Answer 9

Well, the Russians did. Napoleon had to withdraw.
No battle. Napoleon thought that he would find supplies for his army in Moscou, but the Russians burnt the city and Napoleon had no supplies, and it was winter, a very harsh and cold one.
That was Napoleon's true defeater

Answer 10

It was a draw, but the treaty of Ghent made both sides winners.