War of 1812!

Higgins86 said:

Being British this isn't really a war we learn a lot about at school as it is often regarded as a sideshow to the napoleonic wars. Was always aware of the conflict and the mainn events but it wasn't until recently that I really got into the nitty gritty and learned some suprising things. Tecumseh for example was someone I knew little of but he a massive impact on the war preventing the American forces from invading Canada etc.
Can anyone recommend any books on the war or even any documentaries that I can get my teeth into and hopefully expand my knowledge on this very interesting conflict?

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Higgins86 said:

Being British this isn't really a war we learn a lot about at school as it is often regarded as a sideshow to the napoleonic wars. Was always aware of the conflict and the mainn events but it wasn't until recently that I really got into the nitty gritty and learned some suprising things. Tecumseh for example was someone I knew little of but he a massive impact on the war preventing the American forces from invading Canada etc.
Can anyone recommend any books on the war or even any documentaries that I can get my teeth into and hopefully expand my knowledge on this very interesting conflict?

Click to expand...

Red_Dave said:

When did you to school if you dont mind me asking? we learnt **** all about this stuff.

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Penderyn said:

With 'War and Peace' for competition, it's not surprising that we hear little about it. But, apart from the two world wars, what wars do we hear about? Militarism isn't really our thing, I think.

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Temporal said:

Higgins... many aspects of the war of 1812 are not often discussed in American public schools. The main reason is that the Canadian, native, and British forces burned the original White House to the ground. It used to be made of wood... hence the stone and marble replacement. Our middle class education system is very geared toward indoctrinating nationalism, and so American victories are talked about much more than defeats, especially when they are righteous victories as in WWII.

We never hear about the American occupation of the Spanish Phillipines, its part in the First and Second Opium Wars of China, and other 20th century attempts at imperialism. America is always portrayed as "good" in the public education system. Even in college, it's similar, unless you take specialized courses and happen to have learned, unbiased professors.

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Higgins86 said:

Being British this isn't really a war we learn a lot about at school as it is often regarded as a sideshow to the napoleonic wars. Was always aware of the conflict and the mainn events but it wasn't until recently that I really got into the nitty gritty and learned some suprising things. Tecumseh for example was someone I knew little of but he a massive impact on the war preventing the American forces from invading Canada etc.
Can anyone recommend any books on the war or even any documentaries that I can get my teeth into and hopefully expand my knowledge on this very interesting conflict?

Click to expand...

Temporal said:

Higgins... many aspects of the war of 1812 are not often discussed in American public schools. The main reason is that the Canadian, native, and British forces burned the original White House to the ground. It used to be made of wood... hence the stone and marble replacement. Our middle class education system is very geared toward indoctrinating nationalism, and so American victories are talked about much more than defeats, especially when they are righteous victories as in WWII.

We never hear about the American occupation of the Spanish Phillipines, its part in the First and Second Opium Wars of China, and other 20th century attempts at imperialism. America is always portrayed as "good" in the public education system. Even in college, it's similar, unless you take specialized courses and happen to have learned, unbiased professors.

Click to expand...

Higgins86 said:

Being British this isn't really a war we learn a lot about at school as it is often regarded as a sideshow to the napoleonic wars. Was always aware of the conflict and the mainn events but it wasn't until recently that I really got into the nitty gritty and learned some suprising things. Tecumseh for example was someone I knew little of but he a massive impact on the war preventing the American forces from invading Canada etc.
Can anyone recommend any books on the war or even any documentaries that I can get my teeth into and hopefully expand my knowledge on this very interesting conflict?

Click to expand...

Temporal said:

Higgins... many aspects of the war of 1812 are not often discussed in American public schools. The main reason is that the Canadian, native, and British forces burned the original White House to the ground. It used to be made of wood... hence the stone and marble replacement. Our middle class education system is very geared toward indoctrinating nationalism, and so American victories are talked about much more than defeats, especially when they are righteous victories as in WWII.

We never hear about the American occupation of the Spanish Phillipines, its part in the First and Second Opium Wars of China, and other 20th century attempts at imperialism. America is always portrayed as "good" in the public education system. Even in college, it's similar, unless you take specialized courses and happen to have learned, unbiased professors.

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samsmart said:

To be fair, most Americans aren't taught much about the War of 1812. Here are a few of things we *are* told.

1) It happened.
2) It was in 1812.
3) It was fought over the British impressment of American sailors.
4) It had a battle that inspired the Star-Spangled Banner.
5) Andrew Jackson fought the Battle of New Orleans 2 weeks after the war was officially over.

And, if you're lucky, you're taught that the British burned down the White House and ravaged Washington, D.C.

If you really want to read up on it, check out this article.

War of 1812 - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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Higgins86 said:

lol why even bother posting?

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samsmart said:

Well you seemed to wonder what Americans are normally taught about it. The answer seems to be the same as what the British are taught about it: not much.

The reason why Americans aren't taught much about it is because the War of 1812 puts the U.S. in an extremely bad light. The politicians at the time seemed to think that the best way to strike at Great Britain was by conquering Canada. And I think we all can deduce how well that went.

And don't knock Wikipedia articles. They're a very good way of learning the nuts and bolts of an issue. It may even serve as a guide for further inquiry from other sources, which was what you seemed to be interested in.

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DrunkenAsparagus said:

It was a war by accident. The United States government was po'd at Britain for several reasons: we believed that they were supplying Indian attacks on western settlements, we kind of wanted Canada, and most importantly, the British Navy kept impressing US sailors into its fighting force. Congress declared war, but by the time the declaration reached London, parliament had already abolished the practice. The war didn't go terribly well for America. The invasion of Canada was pushed back by British troops, and Washington was burned to the ground. However, the most celebrated battle of the war occurred at New Orleans, where future president Andrew Jackson led a force in defending the city and preventing General Packingham's men from taking the city and controlling the Mississippi, but the peace treaty was signed two weeks before the battle. The treaty that settled the conflict, the Treaty of Ghent, essentially did not change anything. The war was a stalemate, but it did serve to unify the country and give America more of a national identity.

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Temporal said:

America is always portrayed as "good" in the public education system. Even in college, it's similar, unless you take specialized courses and happen to have learned, unbiased professors.

Click to expand...

Temporal said:

Higgins... many aspects of the war of 1812 are not often discussed in American public schools. The main reason is that the Canadian, native, and British forces burned the original White House to the ground. It used to be made of wood... hence the stone and marble replacement. Our middle class education system is very geared toward indoctrinating nationalism, and so American victories are talked about much more than defeats, especially when they are righteous victories as in WWII.

We never hear about the American occupation of the Spanish Phillipines, its part in the First and Second Opium Wars of China, and other 20th century attempts at imperialism. America is always portrayed as "good" in the public education system. Even in college, it's similar, unless you take specialized courses and happen to have learned, unbiased professors.

Click to expand...