War of 1812

America's Second War for Independence

The War of 1812 (1812–1815) tested whether the young American republic could defend its sovereignty against the world's greatest naval power. Often called the "Second War of Independence," the conflict arose from British impressment of American sailors, interference with neutral trade during the Napoleonic Wars, and British support for Native American resistance on the western frontier. On June 18, 1812, Congress declared war on Great Britain—the first time in the nation's history that it formally declared war on a foreign power.

Theaters of Operation

Fighting unfolded across seven distinct theaters surrounding the United States. The Old Northwest (Ohio, Indiana, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and Upper Canada) witnessed fierce combat as American forces sought to secure the frontier and eliminate British influence among Native American nations. The Niagara Frontier saw some of the war's bloodiest engagements, including the Battle of Lundy's Lane in July 1814—the war's most brutal hand-to-hand combat. The Chesapeake Bay theater brought the war to America's doorstep when British forces captured and burned Washington, D.C. in August 1814. The Gulf Coast campaign culminated in Andrew Jackson's decisive victory at New Orleans on January 8, 1815. Naval battles on the Great Lakes and the Atlantic high seas demonstrated that American warships could challenge the Royal Navy in single-ship engagements.

Pivotal Battles and Turning Points

The war opened disastrously for American forces. Three separate invasions of Canada in 1812 ended in failure, including the humiliating surrender of Detroit in August. The tide began to turn in 1813 when Captain Oliver Hazard Perry's victory at the Battle of Lake Erie on September 10 restored American control of the western frontier. His famous dispatch—"We have met the enemy and they are ours"—became a rallying cry. This naval triumph enabled General William Henry Harrison's victory at the Battle of the Thames on October 5, 1813, where the great Shawnee leader Tecumseh fell, ending the Native American confederation that had allied with Britain.

The burning of Washington on August 24, 1814, marked the low point of American fortunes—the only time a foreign power has captured and occupied the nation's capital. Yet British forces failed to take Baltimore in September 1814, repulsed by Fort McHenry's stubborn defense. Watching the bombardment through the night, Francis Scott Key penned the verses that became "The Star-Spangled Banner." The American victory at Plattsburgh on Lake Champlain on September 11, 1814, turned back a major British invasion from Canada and convinced British negotiators to seek peace.

The Naval War

At sea, the small United States Navy won a series of stunning single-ship victories against the vaunted Royal Navy. USS Constitution earned her nickname "Old Ironsides" by defeating HMS Guerriere in August 1812 and HMS Java in December. These victories, while strategically limited, electrified American morale and earned international respect. American privateers captured over 1,500 British merchant vessels during the conflict, disrupting British commerce worldwide. The Military Order of Foreign Wars honors the tradition of American military service abroad that includes these naval engagements on the high seas.

Legacy of Service

Approximately 286,000 Americans served during the War of 1812 in the Regular Army, state militias, and naval forces. An estimated 15,000 died from combat and disease. The war produced a generation of military leaders—including Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, and Winfield Scott—who would shape the nation for decades. The Military Society of the War of 1812, established in 1892, perpetuates the memory of the officers and soldiers who defended the nation during this formative conflict, preserving their legacy through historical education and fellowship among eligible descendants.

Women of 1812

Women played crucial roles during the conflict—managing farms and businesses while men served, nursing the wounded, and in some cases directly supporting military operations. Dolley Madison famously saved George Washington's portrait from the burning White House. The United States Daughters of 1812, founded in 1892, honors both the men and women who contributed to the war effort. This hereditary patriotic society maintains historic sites, places grave markers for veterans, and promotes education about this pivotal period in American history.

The Treaty of Ghent and Aftermath

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, ended the war on the basis of status quo ante bellum—a return to pre-war conditions. Neither nation gained territory, and the treaty did not address impressment or neutral trading rights. Yet the United States emerged with something invaluable: international respect. As British diplomat Augustus J. Foster acknowledged, "The Americans have brought us to speak of them with respect." The war fostered a surge of nationalism, ended the Federalist Party's influence, and launched the "Era of Good Feelings." It also marked the beginning of lasting peace between the United States and Great Britain—a relationship that would evolve into the close alliance that exists today.

Tracing War of 1812 Heritage

Many Americans can trace their ancestry to veterans of the War of 1812. Service records document:

• Regular Army: Officers and enlisted men of the United States Army
• State Militias: Volunteers called to federal service from each state
• Naval Service: Officers and sailors of the United States Navy
• Privateers: Civilian sailors on armed vessels commissioned to capture enemy shipping
• Support Service: Surgeons, chaplains, quartermasters, and other essential personnel

The organizations listed on this page welcome descendants who wish to honor ancestors who served during America's "Second War of Independence" and helped secure the nation's place among the world's sovereign powers.

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