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How did the emergence of the United States shape Canada?
What Was the War of 1812?
What Was the War of 1812?
revolution - a rapid, often violent change in a system of government
republic - a system of government that does not have a monarch
The battle of 1812 was part of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe that bled over to the United States where the Patriots battled British North America.
In 1789, after the French revolted against the monarch, the country became a republic. Many other monarchs became nervous and went to war against the new French republic. Napoleon was a French general who defended the republic in France and who conquered large part of Europe.
Eventually the wars in Europe triggered conflict amongst the people in North America. With Britain closing trade between France and the U.S. American ships were not able to land at French ports. The British were also boarding American ships looking for British deserters. These were people who were originally from or supported Britain and chose to abandon this nation.
The U.S. declared war on British territory; Canada.
The Americans invaded British North America in hopes the colonists would battle along side them, against British rule. Instead of fighting with them, the colonists fought against them.
Read page 189 History Happens: Presidential Mansion Set Ablaze!
Taking Sides in the War of 1812
Taking Sides in the War of 1812
An American View
An American View
With hopes of no confrontation from the British North Americans, the Americans planned to takeover Upper Canada.
The Position of the Canadiens
The Position of the Canadiens
republican government - government that has no monarch and that is usually elected
immigration - the process of people establishing homes and citizenship in a country that is not their native country
Being opposed to republican government, the French Canadiens did not rise up and take arms with the Americans. Throughout the Napoleonic Wars, the Canadiens were against the French republic, so why would they support the Americans in this "non-catholic" form of government. Instead, they supported the British troops and its monarchy.
During an attack on Montréal, the Canadien militia —the Voltigeurs—fought off Americans and won the battle. If Canada had of lost that battle, the Americans would have won the war.
The Position of Upper Canada
The Position of Upper Canada
After the migration of Loyalists at the end of the American War of Independence, many Upper Canadians supported the British and were against the American plans to take over Canada.
By 1812, many American-born settlers had come to Canada in search of land to farm. The sides were divided; some supported the U.S. invasion, while others did not take sides, hoping the war would be over and life could return to normal.
Once the war was over, Britain drove those who supported the American cause, out of Canada. The government encouraged British immigration and offered land to British soldiers as a way to defend the colony from the Americans.
First Nations and the War of 1812: Tecumseh
First Nations and the War of 1812: Tecumseh
Not wanting the Americans to expand their land into the the Natives territories, some leaders sided with the British, while others chose to support the American cause. However, most sided with the British in hopes they would put an end to the American expansion.
One of these supporters was a Shawnee leader named Tecumseh. After seeing the settler expansion take the land near the Great Lakes and along the eastern coast, Tecumseh wanted to prevent the domino effect of losing his own land. Because of these battles to control the First Nations land, many of Tecumseh's people had lost their lives.
Knowing his people were unable to fight alone, Tecumseh developed alliances with other native nations to help build and army that could compete against the American troops.
After British troops deserted Tecumseh in the Battle of the Thames, this fearless leader told his men that they must continue to fight in order to prevent the expansion westward. Unfortunately, Tecumseh was fatally wounded and the US were able to lay claim to interior North America, on the land west of the Mississippi.
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