The American War
For the United States, the War of 1812 was a successful second war of independence from Britain.
A View of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, by the British Fleet … on the Morning of the 13th Sept. 1814
Print by John Bower, 1814
Courtesy of the New York Public Library, New York, New York
Print by John Bower, 1814
Courtesy of the New York Public Library, New York, New York
A View of the Bombardment of Fort McHenry, near Baltimore, by the British Fleet … on the Morning of the 13th Sept. 1814
Print by John Bower, 1814
Courtesy of the New York Public Library, New York, New York
Print by John Bower, 1814
Courtesy of the New York Public Library, New York, New York
The United States declared war against Great Britain in June 1812 in response to British encroachments on American sovereignty. While American forces failed to conquer Canada, they captured several British frigates and won defensive battles against British invasions of the United States. Americans have come to view the war as a “nation-building” experience. It won international respect for their power and sovereignty, inspired their national anthem and sanctified their national flag.
"And the star-spangled banner in triumph doth wave, O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave."— Francis Scott Key, American lawyer and poet, 1814
“Certainly we won [the War of 1812]. Because if we hadn’t, we’d be using loonies and toonies instead of dollar bills, wouldn’t we?”— Site manager, Sackets Harbor Battlefield State Historic Site, United States, as quoted in “The War of 1812 Revisited,” National Post, 27 September 2007
“The rascals [the British] have been bullying us these ten years, and I am glad the time has come when we can have satisfaction.”— Commodore John Rodgers, United States Navy, 21 June 1812