Who Won the War of 1812? The American View

When the United States Congress unanimously ratifies the Treaty of Ghent in February of 1815, most Americans believe that Great Britain has capitulated and they have won the war. Even though the treaty itself recognizes a military stalemate and requires everything to return to the way it was before, most Americans believe that the Second War of Independence against Great Britain has ended in victory. For most Americans the war has been about respect. Britain's trade embargo of Napoleon-controlled Europe, its impressment of sailors who had freely chosen to serve on American ships, its supplying of guns and ammunition to the Indians who were resisting western expansion of American settlement all were signs of disrespect. Now all of these annoyances have stopped. No consideration is given to the fact that with Napoleon's defeat, Britain no longer needs to embargo American goods or impress sailors for its ships and simply stops these practices, or that western expansion into Indian territory is likely to have continued anyway. What the press pushes into American consciousness is not the failed invasions of Canada or the burning of the White House in an undefended Washington, but instead the heroic defence of Fort McHenry in Baltimore with a star-spangled banner waving over the land of the free and home of the brave, and the triumphant victory at New Orleans, after the terms of the peace treaty have already been agreed to. Even today in the Smithsonian's Museum of American History in Washington the only two War of 1812 exhibits on permanent display focus on these two events. Stories of bravery and epic struggle abound. Men like Oliver "Don't Give Up the Ship" Perry, Jacob Brown, Winfield Scott, Thomas Macdonough and countless others all receive Congressional Medals of Honour. Men with political ambition emphasize their contributions. Andrew Jackson will go on to become president in 1828, and William Henry Harrison will do the same in 1840. Richard Johnson, who claims to have personally killed Tecuseh, will be elected Vice-President in 1836. The conflict has never been popular. In 1812 39% of Congress votes against the declaration of war. By 1814 the United States government teeters on the verge of bankruptcy, and Federalist politicians in New England attend a convention in Hartford to discuss the possibility of succession from the Union. The Republican administration of James Madison sees the opportunity to discredit their Federalist opponents by proclaiming a victory in the war that these "unpatriotic" citizens never wanted. This victorious result will effectively crush the Federalist Party. For most Americans it is straightforward. In the War of 1812 the United States challenges Great Britain, a nation powerful enough to defeat Napoleon. It holds its ground. Nothing is lost. Important lessons are learned. How can this not be a victory? Thus begins the triumphant view. As someone once said, in interpreting historical events, it is all about what you choose to remember and what you choose to forget.