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Getting into War

Canada’s location, next to the United States, made it the principal theatre of a war fought for issues that did not concern Canadians.

Canadians had no grievance against the United States that was worth risking war. Upper Canada welcomed American immigrants. Many families had relatives on both sides of the border. Pioneer societies in Upper Canada and western New York were very similar and linked by close social and economic ties. War with the United States would threaten these connections and expose emerging communities to invasion and destruction.

Geography and War

Geography and War

Upper and Lower Canada, 1812-15

CWM
Bush Farm near Chatham, 1838

War Fears

Bush Farm near Chatham, 1838

Watercolour by Philip Bainbrigge, 1838
Library and Archives Canada, 1983-047-21
View of a Mohawk Indian Village

A Mohawk Community

View of a Mohawk Indian Village

Watercolour by Sempronious Stretton, 1805
Library and Archives Canada, 1990-113-1