Existing comment:
A Widespread War:
America aimed to seize British Canada and inflict damage on British ships and trade elsewhere.
The American three-pronged attack on Canada ultimately failed. Some spectacular successes in 1813 against the British and their American Indian allies did secure America's northwest frontier. But in the key strategic areas along the Niagara frontier and St. Lawrence River, the British prevailed.
Partly to draw off American forces from Canada, the British attacked America's east coast. The British naval blockade stretched the entire length of the coast by 1814. It provided highly effective in damaging America's commerce and largely keeping its warships confined to harbor. In the Chesapeake Bay, the British navy destroyed American ships and supplies and attacked coastal trade. Washington DC was burned, but Baltimore held off an attack.
On the high seas, American warships won a series of duels that embarrassed the Royal Navy. Once the British blockade was in place, however, the fight was largely left to America's far-roaming privateer ships. They took a heavy toll on British merchant shipping, just as British ships did on American sea trade.
In the southwest, General Andrew Jackson won a stunning victory against the British outside New Orleans in early 1815. However, this had little impact on the war as the conflict was almost over and a peace treaty nearly finalized. |