American Wars

USA in constant struggle with First nations
Americans think the the British are supporting/encouraging the native tribes.
"In league" with them.

British to withdrawal to Upper Canada
Temporary peace between Canada and America

British fire on an American vessel, looking for deserters. Breach of American sovereignty and diplomatic protocol. U.S pissed off.
Big cause of war.

U.S in war against Tecumseh
Defeated by William Henry Harrison.
Tecumseh flees to British holding in SW Ontario, looking for British partnership

Mad at Britain. Takes it out on Canada.
Vague plans to how this will hold leverage against Britain. Land hostage?

Brock deceives true numbers. Sends in note demanding surrender, promises safety. Hull weary of native savagery and thinking they are outnumbered, surrenders. Brocks gains cannons and muskets.
Canada gains confidence, feels like they have a chance now.

Americans sneak up Niagara Peninsula, sailing in
Ends up in cliff area. Surprises village. Brock wakes up to gunfire, rides to battle with hastily organized British Regulars.
Sniped down.
Force of Militia, regulars, and first nations grows.
Roger Sheaffe, 2nd in command takes over. British win.
*British regulars are good fighters. Stand ground.
-Myth/legend of great Canadian Militia?

Battle of French town, 30-100 American prisoners murdered and scalped by first nation warriors. Tecumseh not there, but probably would have stopped it?
-British in Stronger position now than before. But only enough to hold ground, not push forward.
Meanwhile, America is approving army expansion.

Control of lake important for control of upper Canada. Warships all had to be built on site
-'arms race' to build biggest ship
hide from each other. Skirmishing.
-Neither fleets go to battle.

Abrupt raid defeats British forces in York.
Americans burn parliament buildings and civilian homes.
-Sheaffe pulls back. Takes good regulars with him, leaves militia behind to try and hold off.
*Departure from honorable conventions of war. Destructive warfare. Resentful Canadians.

Swift seizure of Niagara River mouth
British don't have a large force. Stand on river bank and try to shoot down oncoming.
British forced to evacuate Fort George.
Both sit to catch breath. Brit regroup and creep up on Americans at night and bayonet them. Confusing dark battle. Some kill their own :(
-Farthest point of American invasion up to now

Laura Secord runs and warns of American raid (loyalist)
Advancing Americans come under native fire.
Fitzgibbon uses similar bluff as Brock.
Works
Entire American force surrenders to the British.
Stalemate in Niagra Peninsula.

Off Shores of Boston Harbor
Am- Lawrence
Br- Broke
Broke sends invitation. Americans take it.
Chesapeake taken. Lawrence supposedly dies saying don't give up the ship. They give up the ship.

USS Constitution
Defeats 4 royal navy warships (One is HMS Guerriere.)
British are shocked, Americans are proud
-Royal Navy begins a blockade of American ports.

Us under Oliver Perry defeat and capture the British fleet (technical problems).
Decisive American victory. Gains control for duration of war.
Proctor retreats. Tecumseh wants to face the Americans

British repel American attack on Kingston and Montreal.
Small forces lead by Lieutenant Colonel De Salaberry and Canadian Voltiguers. Both have good knowledge of the land, and well trained soldiers.
**Force by men exclusively from Canada
Americans ordered to remain in lower Canada and continue pushing forward to kingston

Harrison's army overwhelms the British
Tecumseh killed.
Harrison signs ceasefire with first nations
Americans practically in sole control of upper Canada now.

Force of Brit. regulars sent to intercept attack on Kingston. Crushes the Americans. Invasion ends.

Americans withdrawal from fort George. American commander orders burning of Newark. Local inhabitants driven out, homes destroyed.
(America disowns jerk general.)
Canada wants revenge
**War is getting more brutal. Civilians becoming increasing targets.
Division between countries grows deeper.

At this point in war, neither has material advantage.

Napoleon out for now. Frees up tens of thousands of British soldiers. Sends to Americas.

Winfield Scott. British soldiers tricked by grey uniforms. Think untrained foes.

Indecisive.
Shot at point blank range.
Gory.
Americans forced to withdraw. Tired.
British didn't pursue. Tired too.
**One of most deadly battles on Canadian soil.

British troops unexpectedly make their way into Washington D.C. Set ablaze government buildings and eats the presidents dinner.
Retaliation for the burning of York.
Same troops move on to bombard Baltimore and Fort Henry.

Lieutenant General Drummond launches costly frontal attacks. Both have severe losses.
No change in Niagara control. 100s die.
Drummond blames soldiers for not trying harder.
**End of fighting on the Niagara frontier