1812: The War That Forged a NationHarper Collins, 05/10/2004 - 368 من الصفحات In June 1812 the still-infant United States had the audacity to declare war on the British Empire. Fought between creaking sailing ships and armies often led by bumbling generals, the ensuing conflict featured a tit-for-tat "You burned our capital, so we'll burn yours" and a legendary battle unknowingly fought after the signing of a peace treaty. During the course of the war, the young American navy proved its mettle as the USS Constitution, "Old Ironsides," sent two first-rate British frigates to the bottom, and a twenty-seven-year-old lieutenant named Oliver Hazard Perry hoisted a flag exhorting, "Don't Give Up the Ship," and chased the British from Lake Erie. By 1814, however, the United States was no longer fighting for free trade, sailors' rights, and as much of Canada as it could grab, but for its very existence as a nation. With Washington in flames, only a valiant defense at Fort McHenry saved Baltimore from a similar fate. Here are the stories of commanding generals such as America's Henry "Granny" Dearborn, double-dealing James Wilkinson, and feisty Andrew Jackson, as well as Great Britain's gallant Sir Isaac Brock, overly cautious Sir George Prevost, and Rear Admiral George Cockburn, the man who put the torch to Washington. Here too are those inadvertently caught up in the war, from heroine farm wife Laura Secord, whom some call Canada's Paul Revere, to country doctor William Beanes, whose capture set the stage for Francis Scott Key to write "The Star-Spangled Banner." 1812: The War That Forged a Nation presents a sweeping narrative that emphasizes the struggle's importance to America's coming-of-age as a nation. Though frequently overlooked between the American Revolution and the Civil War, the War of 1812 did indeed span half a continent -- from Mackinac Island to New Orleans, and Lake Champlain to Horseshoe Bend -- and it paved the way for the conquest of the other half. During the War of 1812, the United States cast aside its cloak of colonial adolescence and -- with both humiliating and glorious moments -- found the fire that was to forge a nation. |
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... they were in their oppo- sition to Thomas Jefferson , actively courted Burr , vastly prefer- ring the New York lawyer - Republican though he might be — to the Virginia planter.2 Not all Federalists felt that way , of course . 8 1812.
... course . Alexander Hamilton for one was appalled at the possibility of Burr becom- ing president . Four years before he would die by Burr's dueling pistol , Hamilton wrote : " There is no doubt but that upon every virtuous and prudent ...
... the Jacksons . Over the course of the evening - apparently thinking Jackson more of the insider than he was - Fort went on at some length about Burr's plans to seize New Orleans and make it the gateway to a great 16. 1812.
... course , but the man who had urged him to take such action and the man to whom Jefferson now turned to save the Union was none other than James Wilkinson . Much has been written about Wilkinson's true motives . His detractors far ...
... course , but the British crown held to simpler criterion : “ Once an Englishman , always an Englishman . " While Great Britain's practice of impressment was long- standing , its use escalated as British manpower needs increased during ...
المحتوى
5 | |
BOOK | 55 |
Finale 18141815 | 181 |
Lake Champlain | 199 |
Another Capital Burns | 216 |
Still Mr Madisons War | 249 |
Along the Mighty Mississip | 271 |
A Nation at Last | 294 |
Endnotes | 305 |
Bibliography | 327 |