What were the results of the war of 1812?

Answer 1

The US confirmed its place as a world power by successfully challenging the British, but were unable to dislodge Great Britain from Canada. The new nationalism was increased by the wartime growth to self-dependence of US industries.

Boundary with Canada

- Canada successfully fought off an invasion intended to end its existence. Thomas Jefferson called taking over Canada "Merely a matter of matter of marching" (forgetting, perhaps, the fate of an American invasion force in 1775).

Invasions of Upper and Lower Canada by large American forces were decisively defeated in a series of battles, which led to the surrenders of Detroit, Buffalo, and Fort Dearborn (Chicago).

Indian Affairs

- First Nations peoples were not so lucky, despite their contribution to the defence of Canada. After the war, their lands were invaded and colonized. The British failed to forestall US expansion with a Native American presence.

Economic changes

- The war had a dramatic effect on the manufacturing capabilities. The British blockade of American ports created a shortage of cotton cloth, leading to the creation of a cotton manufacturing industry.

- War also spurred infrastructure improvements like the Erie Canal project, which was built to promote commercial links yet was also perceived as having military uses should the need ever arise.

- The charter for the first national bank was allowed to expire in 1811, and the government was ill-prepared to finance the war. This weakness of the financial system explains the Congressional decision to charter the second national bank in 1816.

National unity

- The Federalist Party vanished and the Democratic-Republicans dominated for over 20 years. The result was an "era of good feelings" with the lowest level of partisanship the country has ever experienced.

- It convinced the nation of the need for a strong navy and a standing army, since we were caught unprepared with an untrained army.

- Andrew Jackson, hero of the Battle of New Orleans in 1814, assumed national political prominence and was elected President in 1828 after a controversial defeat in 1824.

For Canadians: a surprising and successful defence of their homeland against a much larger enemy, and at a time when defeat would have meant no Canada.

For Britain: the end of a sideshow, barely noticed while they fought a much bigger, bloodier war against Napoleon.

For the US: heavy casualties, and a treaty that addressed none of their initial grievances, but gave them back the land taken by the advancing British.

The Rideau Canal was one of many long-term effects of the War

it was built to ensure a more secure transportation route in case of another war with the U.S.

"Status quo ante bellum" - that is, everything supposedly went back to how things were before the war started. It's hard to say which side "won". The US claimed victory since they had largely repulsed the British invasions. The British, especially the Canadians, claim victory since they repulsed American attempts to conquer Canada. But what everyone can agree on is the big losers were the American Indians- the tribes led by Tecumseh (who sided with the British) were defeated and lost their homelands to the US.

The results of the war between Britain and the US involved no geographical or political changes, but the causes of the war had disappeared when the war reached its conclusion.

Answer 2

andrew jackson became a national hero