Existing comment:
Triumphs and Catastrophes:
Despite some impressive victories in the War of 1812, America was rarely far from defeat and disaster. Fighting ranged across several fronts, on land and sea. America took the war to the British in Canada. Britain brought the war home to America, along its eastern and southern coasts.
The Americans were hampered by internal problems. President Madison was a weak and uninspiring war leader, who was slow to replace incompetent military commanders or to unite his own party. The war was unpopular, reflected in poor rates of enlistment and high rates of desertion in the army and navy. With notable exceptions, the volunteer citizen militias were an unreliable alternative. Finally, the Federal government failed to raise enough money to pay for the war.
America faced a professional, disciplined British navy and army, battle-hardened by 20 years of warfare. For every American warship, Britain could boast 30. For most of the war, the British were also engaged in fighting France. Victory over Napoleon in 1814 allowed the British to turn their full attention on the United States.
Yet America did resist this mighty foe. Some stunning victories were won in battle, and American privateers significantly damaged Britain's trade. Successes, however, were matched by failures, and the war ended in stalemate and a negotiated peace. |