War of 1812 - Canada and the effects of the war

The war of 1812 may not seam to be a significant battle in some people's minds, most don't even remember much about this date only to be naive enough not to realize that the War of 1812 the was waged upon Canada and America was the most significant year that Canada has ever had. It is the year that Canada gave the Canadian people their Nationalism, and a strong sense of loyalty, that formed this country into what it is today.

Before we can really start analyzing why the Canada's nationalism is linked to the War of 1812 we must come to realize the motives of both the Americans and the British. The United States had beat Britain in a previous war and believed that they would be able to pull the same victory off again since their nation was that much larger since there last 'rough and tumble'. America's main reason for declaring war upon Canada was directly linked to their plan of North America.

English: Looking south from Top of the Rock, New Y...

The U.S. Capitol after the burning of Washington d...

English: A composed satellite photograph of North ...

The States had planned on taking all of Canada and her land so to control the entire cotenant as a massive nation and to halt the Canadian expansion and pressure that was being laid upon the United States. The Americans were also rather mad from the British Naval activity in the Atlantic Ocean, in which the British were stealing American trade boats and using them as their own merchant ships, since Britain was short on ships for trade, they also wanted to prevent the Americans from trading with France. These tactics applied by Britain were intimidating gestures that the Americans did not appreciate. With their plan to unite the continent in their plan to take over North America this was a perfect time for the States to strike at the British.

The British Empire...