This Day in History: 1812-06-18
In 1812 the United States of America declared War on the United Kingdom.
The United Kingdom and their allies in Europe were at war with France attempting to stop Napoleon’s expansion of the French Empire. On 21 Nov 1806, Napoleon ordered a blockade of shipping to cripple British trade. In return, the Royal Navy had set up a blockade around France preventing trade and military aid. This blockade of trade with France angered the US as well as the act of Impressment on American merchant sailors during the Napoleonic War. The act of Impressment was often used by many European nations in times of war and the US (during their war for independence) where by merchant sailors were captured and forced to man military ships. Another practice was the Royal Navy’s consistent demand to inspect foreign ships within the blockade looking for contraband and naval deserters. America also had desires to expand its territory into British North America (now part of Canada) an area they were denied in the settlement of their War of Independence.
On this day in 1812, US President James Madison signed the Declaration of War with the United Kingdom. The US began their advance into Upper Canada but suffered defeat on the 16th of August to British forces under the command of Sir Isaac Brock who chased them back over the border and captured Detroit. The United States fought back and had many victories including Naval Victories against the Royal Navy. But when Napoleon was defeated by Nelson on the 17th of June 1814 the United Kingdom was able to free up most of its forces and focus on the US conflict. In response to the US army burning buildings in Canada, the British captured Washington DC on the 24th of August 1814 and set alight many of their government buildings. On the 13th of September 1814, the Royal Navy began a 25-hour bombardment of Fort McHenry in Baltimore. Instead of surrendering, as hoped by the Royal Navy, the troops inside hoisted a large US flag. It was the hoisting of this flag, the morning after the bombardments, that led to the poem “The Star-Spangled Banner” which became the national anthem of the US.
Britain sought an armistice with the US and peace talks began in Ghent (now Belgium). The Treaty of Ghent was signed on the 24th of December 1814 and resulted in no border change to either territory.
