The war of 1812 featured many future presidents by the nature of it. James Monroe was Secretary of War and State, John Quincy Adams was a diplomat who helped secure the treaty of Ghent, Andrew Jackson was a general, William Henry Harrison was also a general, John Tyler organized a militia company and was their captain but they disbanded two months later after the threat of invasion to Virginia had passed, Zachary Taylor was a brevet major during the war, and finally James Buchanan served as a private during the defense of Baltimore in 1814, the only president to be in the military and not hold the rank of officer and the last president to have fought in the war of 1812.
There was one interesting incident during the battle of New Orleans. An American serving under Andrew Jackson decided to desert to the other side. He knew of a weak spot in the American defenses that the the British could not see because of the wall Jackson had his troops build. So the British directed one of their main attacks on that position. The problem is, Jackson inspected the American line that morning and saw the same weakness. So, he ordered a regiment of Tennessee volunteers to that same spot, So, the weakest part of the American line became the strongest. Furthermore, the British build ramps for their soldiers to march up over Jackson's wall. But someone forgot to bring the ramps along until the march was getting close to the wall. This left the British force defenseless, in formation, until the ramps arrived. Meanwhile a platoon of American soldiers could march (crouched down) on to a plank, behind the wall, pop up and fire a volley into the stationary British soldiers. Other platoons followed. This created a fire against the British that was withering, and eventually drove them back.
Yes, that Harrison is the one who died in office in a month. He gave the longest inauguration speech on record (something like two hours) in rather bad weather. The two events are generally considered related. There was a Lot of hostility Between Quebec and New England, mostly over religious differences (at the time, Massachusetts was just about the most anti-Catholic State in the Country). The "battle of Lake Erie" was fought in Put-in-Bay and generally goes by the first name. The modern amusement park of Cedar Point is very near the location. Horseshoe Bend started to make Jackson's Reputation, it also started the career of Sam Houston, one of his Junior officers, who was first over the wall and badly wounded in the process. When Houston's political career fell apart after the war, he would move to Texas and was one of the leaders of that revolution. There was very little resistance at Washington. Baltimore was a different matter. The local troops put up a stiff fight, the aforementioned storm and Ft. McHenry holding the fleet at bay meant that the "Nest of Pirates" (Baltimore being a major Privateer and Naval base) held. The burning of Washington was retaliation for the Burning of York (modern Toronto) during Harrison's invasion. The North Eastern Front was getting stronger despite dissatisfaction in 1814. Winfield Scott had taken over (and was VERY competent) plus the Americans had won another inland naval battle on Lake Champlain. There was serious worry that further campaigns around Niagara would not be good for Canada (but it would take time). One reason to settle then. Holding New Orleans would have put a major crimp on the "Ohio Country" (The area east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio River) it was THE export port for most agricultural goods grown in the west (the Erie Canal wasn't even started, and railroads were almost 20 years off). That was reason number one Jefferson had wanted to buy it in the first place. Another part of Jackson's defenses, he made arrangements with Jean Lafitte, a local Pirate/protection racket for a lot of the cannon he would use (which were rather heavy, since most were naval guns). There is a movie of the Battle Called "The Pirate" (Starring Charlton Heston) but it's a bit old. Officers were expected to LEAD their men. This was dangerous, but not a death sentence (a lot of officers were degenerate gamblers at any rate) generals were expected to be visible but usually held back some hundreds of yards (only exposing themselves if REALLY needed). Facing American troops, was a lot worse. Officers were usually targeted (they had the NICE uniforms), and a good rifleman could hit them at 2-300 yards (a musket wasn't really accurate past 50). After the battle there were claims all along the line to have been the one who shot Pakenhem, some of which were a little dubious (someone got him).
Remember, at the time, a musket was only accurate out to about 100 yards - so you only had to face as many volleys as could be fired by your enemy while you closed. With an almost 2 to 1 advantage in numbers, and confidence in his seasoned Regulars vs "Militia", a frontal assault, especially under the cover of fog doesn't seem so unreasonable. But first, General Packenham may have underestimated the American troop's abilities with firearms, secondly, among those firearms would have been a significant number of rifles - once the fog lifted the fact that these were accurate to 200 yards - or more in experienced hands most likely directly resulted in his demise. He, and most of his senior officers were killed in that 30 minute battle - a certain degree of the overall carnage is attributed to the loss of command and control - because units pinned down and unable to advance (to their credit) remained in place - until (finally) ordered to withdraw.
I believe Andrew Jackson had such distain to the British because of of his childhood. He was a young boy during the American Revolution when a British soldier killed his mother and hit him in the face it left a permanent lisp on his face. He even joined the Army shorty after that during the revolution as a boy. It’s a crazy story. 😁
in times of exploration and colonialism, claiming a river meant claiming the whole river bason. If you got the mouth of the amazon, you got all of Brazil. Finding the Mississippi got France the whole Louisiana claim. And the British claim on the American pacific northwest was based on finding the Columbia, and holding it with a fort (fort Vancouver) until the American population surrounded them and they couldn't maintain the claim. Rivers were the most reliable form of transit until the railroads, so holding the mouth of a river was a huge claim.
The British were certainly involved in the areas around Florida both during and after the war. Andrew Jackson famously hanged 2 British citizens under just those sort of charges in 1818. Depending on whose version of history you are reading (and there are many, many versions) this may, or may not, have been an injustice. Certainly the British Government was not pleased. It should be noted that Andrew Jackson could be said to have a deep seated hatred of the British - dating from the cruelly unfortunate circumstances he survived during the Revolutionary War.
You're right about William Henry Harrison. He began to serve as US president in early 1841, and died a month later. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, served as president at the end of the 19th century.
The two US schooners, the Hamilton and Scourge, were sunk in Lake Ontario by a sudden squall. By 1980 they were found and quite intact because the deep water is anaerobic. Similar to wooden shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea. "The Buccaneer" 1958, was the Hollywood treatment of this battle. Pirate Jean Lafitte was crucial. Lord Wellington was quite clear that he thought further war in the Americas was pointless (given victory in Europe).
Very interesting, both the video and your reaction. The British still fought the traditional European style, which defeated Napoleon. The Americans fought the Native American style, which was closer to what we now call guerrilla.
When it comes to a "Standing Army". You have to remember that at the Time the United States was founded, many, if not most, of the "Founding Father's" considered that maintaining an Army during peacetime was primarily as a tool of Government Oppression - since that was their view of what the British used their Army for. Also, it cost a lot of money - So the US, certainly right up to WW1, maintained an army much smaller than most European nations.
You are correct about William Henry Harrison. He was elected president in 1840, making him fairly elderly for that time period (67 years old). Accounts say he delivered his inauguration speech on a cold and wet day, and he did not wear a coat or hat. Plus, he rode on horseback to the capitol -- all to impress people that he was still the hero of the War of 1812, etc. After that, he had a habit of taking early morning walks, and some days he got drenched in early morning rain, not changing out of his wet clothes. Long and short, he didn't take care of himself. He was dead 30 days after he took office. Apparently, some modern-day sleuthing in the records may have turned up evidence that the cause of death may have been typhoid fever caused by bad sanitation in Washington, which was still pretty rough-hewn in those days.
The Louisiana Purchase from France and the purchase of Alaska from Russia happened for the exact same reason. Fear of the British navy. Napoleon thought the Brits would just take their territory and they could do nothing about it so they sold it to use cheap to get something for it. The Russians did the same thing with Alaska. We profited greatly off of fear of the British Imperialism
The significance of the Battle of New Orleans and the War of 1812 overall was IMO actually reduced by the American Victory. Here's what President Andrew Jackson said about the battle long after the war: Near the end of Jackson's presidency, a Congressman asked Jackson whether there was a point to the Battle of New Orleans. Jackson replied, “If General Pakenham and his 10,000 matchless veterans could have annihilated my little army, he would have captured New Orleans and sentried all the contiguous territory, though technically the war was over. Great Britain would have immediately abrogated the Treaty of Ghent and would have ignored Jefferson’s transaction with Napoleon.” I would add, "Thus Gaining the Territory they thought they had gained in the 1763 treaty of Paris - but for the machinations of Spain and France." This would have put a major crimp on US westward expansion anywhere west of the Mississippi - with Britain controlling all trade on the Mississippi by controlling New Orleans.
I think this is absolutely correct. Whoever held New Orleans controlled the Mississippi, and that meant control over the interior of North America. Winning the Battle of New Orleans was actually existential for the United States as sovereign over all of the territory west of the Appalachians.
American troops were often "Raw" in the matters of conventional warfare - but most of these men were very experienced with firearms and many had seen battle in the almost perpetual conflicts of the expanding frontier. So these weren't quite the same as European farmers, villagers, and shop keepers. They couldn't march or maneuver on an open field, but they could certainly shoot and many if not most had seen blood spilled in anger. Many would have been a handful if it had come to hand to hand. Colonel Jackson for example besides having fought in several battles, already permanently carried 2 pistol balls in his body, from 2 separate duels he had fought previously. (Which gives some insight to his temperament.)
Generals did die in battle much more in this era - because they needed to be present on the field in order to direct their troops. The Canadians revere General Brock - who was killed even as his troops won the day - defeating the American forces. But it should also be noted that on the American continent at least - sharpshooters deliberately targeted officers, most battles starting with "Bunker Hill" show a surprisingly high loss of life among the Officer Corps. New Orleans was a very bad battle to for Senior Officers.
William Henry Harrison, the 9th president, served the shortest time in US presidential history at only 31 days. Harrison came to office in 1841 to succeed Martin Van Buren and caught a cold that developed into pneumonia. He was the first president to die in office on April 4, 1841. His abrupt death caused a brief constitutional crisis regarding his succession. In the end, it was decided that the Vice President would succeed, John Tyler became the next President.
When assessing the Quality of Troops on the American continent - one has to remember, that many European troops viewed the American Hinterlands with absolute horror - filled with horrible, dangerous animals... and Indians! Indian Warriors were esteemed as skilled stalkers and adept in the woodlands, as well as being feared as dangerous foes. So, while "Crack Regulars" were not to be matched in an open, set piece battle, they did not always fair as well in less conventional settings. Additionally, Many Regular Officers disdained an enemy that didn't fight "by the rules" - often to their misfortune or demise.
I grew up listening to old Jonny Horton and Marty Robins because they got me interested in history. My blood line is alcohol I am English, Scottish, Irish, and German. Napoleon Bonaparte, was losing interest in establishing a North American empire and needed funds to fight the British. The American rifles had lands and grooves making it more accurate that the British “brown Bess” musket
It appears to me that the British didn't respect their opponent. Trying to overrun a fortified position with a roughly equal number of troops means you expect them to break. If they hold the advancing troops are likely to be slaughtered.
For more information about Tecumsah and his rallying of native tribes, (he was hoping to gain a truce between tribes to battle the Americans), there is a great historical novel by Alexander Thom called "Panther in the Sky" which I believe is what Tecumsah means in native languages. It's a great book. I read it in two days. Well written and very historically accurate. He travelled as far south as Georgia in his attempts to do this. While he was there, Harrison attacked the village where his family was located and killed his brother who was the medicine man of his tribe and destroyed the village. This is the Battle of Tippicanoe, which gained Harrison his notoriety and eventually his presidency.
A Francophone Canadian friend of mine once summed up the Québécois attitude towards siding with the British vs the Americans like this: “Better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don’t.” And I think that touches upon what you said about the French-speaking subjects of British Canada believing that the United Kingdom cared more about preserving their language and culture. Many of them quite frankly did not trust the Americans to do the same, despite whatever misgivings they had about their current Anglophone overlords.
The Americans had a really weird approach to the Québécois. They very much felt that they should be allied together against the British, while at the same time pointing to things like the Quebec act, which restored a lot of the French status quo and rights to Quebec, as one of the intolerable acts. I think they just assumed that the Québécois would want to stick it to the British no matter what. Never mind the fact that the Americans had identified as British not to long ago, and had probably interacted with the French colonists more than the British mainlanders had.
American sailors were trained to speak Dutch because the British would not take Dutch sailors from American ships but they would take anyone who spoke English or Gaelic well.
I know that the French Canadians did not join with the Americans in the Revolutionary War primarily because the British passed the Quebec Act to guarantee certain rights and privileges such as the freedom of religion (they were mostly Catholic) and also use of French civil law, more territory, etc. The French in Quebec were also skeptical of the staunchly Protestant Americans. Of course by the time of the War of 1812, the US Constitution was in place, which also guaranteed freedom of religion. I imagine they were still skeptical about the Americans in any case, and perhaps thought the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know. They may have also calculated that the US were not likely to win against the British military.
Now you study history to see A) What happened B) why it mattered. This war mattered to the Americans because it erased the Revolutionary War myth that we could defend ourselves with militias. After this war we knew we couldn't rely on militias and put emphasis on the regular army. Canada on the other hand had this myth of militias reinforced to their detriment for years to come.
Read more about Sir Isaac Brock. One hell of a guy. He was put in charge of defending Canada but given very little help because the English told him is was a lost cause. He took weapons from hunters, hired natives to work for him and did everything he could to defend Canada. Time and time again, he was more aware of what was going on in the battle and even learned the war had started before every American general in the area. How he took Detroit without firing a shot: the man in charge was DEATHLY afraid of the natives and his wife and children were in Detroit with him. Brock sent him a letter and said something along the longs of "I implore you to surrender, for if this siege lasts another day, I will lose all control of the natives and God knows what they will to to the city. He had kept so far of the Americas until one day he was woken up and told the Americans were setting up artillery on some high ground overlooking their camp. He got up, dressed in full military uniform and rode out to the site where his soldiers were just watching this happen. Without hesitating a moment, he started charging up the hill BY HIMSELF. He was shot once, then twice then was hit several more times. This put a fire in his troops and they charged and re-took the hill. The exact place Brock died is the border between USA and Canada. It bears his statue and is 185 meters talls.
I enjoy pretty much anything you post...the very few times I have not, it has always been the fault of the video being reacted to. I think it is good that you are mixing videos like this with more in depth coverage of events, in with the more generalized videos like Oversimplified and such. I would really enjoy seeing you react to a slightly more in depth examination of a major event in the Cold War...could you check out the series on the Suez Crisis of 1956 that the folks at TimeGhost put out? Anyway...keep up the great work. ✌💯😁
After the British takeover of what had been French Canada in 1763, they very quickly (by 1774) granted the population the right to continue using French civil law and practice the Catholic faith. This is something that the heavily Protestant colonists in the future US found offensive, so much so that it's among the list of charges against the crown in the Declaration of Independence. Thus, the prospect of a US conquest of Canada represented a threat to the way of life for many Canadiens and explains their willingness to fight with Britain.
You were correct about Generals being casualties in times past. Today, Generals are not in the front lines. Except, of course, in present day Ukraine where so many Russian Generals have been casualties. What the heck? We grew up believing that Russia could probably give a good fight. Look at them now. A paper doll Army with old rusted toys.
Tecumseh was a Native American Chief who sought to carve out a territory in the US for their to be a Native American nation of United Native Tribes, in mirror to the United States. Tecumseh's brother was an eccentric who became popular among native tribes for his prophesy and it's his bother's prophesy of such a nation coming to be that Tecumseh strove to make it so. Tecumseh died though when a plan for an US force entrapment between his forces and his British allies failed because the British force had already been routed. The plan for a United States of Native America died with him at the hands of the forces of William Henry Harrison and his forces.
8:50 you are correct Harrison died a month into office. While this was for years attributed to pneumonia derived from giving a long innaugural speech in the rain, recent research has pointed towards contaminated water infecting him with typhoid. The same water source may have killed Zachary Taylor and Lincoln's son Willie.
Toward the end everyone could see that the war was over. Britain finally had the manpower for a crushing defeat and launched a strategic three-pronged attack. The first was to cut off New England and claim it for Canada. It failed due to a British naval loss at Lake Champlain. The second was to break American morale by terrorist attacks along the coast led by Admiral Cockburn. He burned Washington and nobody cared. He failed to take Baltimore. The third was the capture of New Orleans-and thus the Mississippi river. Another failure The Duke of Wellington pretty much said "We can't win-sign the treaty."
Someone may have already pointed this out, but that initial map, showing the blue French possession is inaccurate. By that time that area had been purchased by the US.
I grew up, and still live, about 10K from the battle field. The National Park Service has set up a very nice museum with a very informative presentation on the battle it's self on site. The battle took place after the treaty was negotiated, but before the treaty was ratified. The biggest enemy the British faced during the events leading up to the battle, and during the battle as well, was British General Packenham. There were at least 3 occasions where he managed to 'snatch defeat from the jaws of victory'. There is a video on TH-cam that was produced by a local educational TV channel that fills some holes in most other accounts. It is a panel discussion with local historians titled "The Battle of New Orleans: A Closer Look ". It's worth a look even if you don't react to it, which you may not be able to do anyway.
Clearly your a young man who enjoys reading and learning , not sure if it's still in print =The America Revolution In Indian Country { crisis and diversity in native American communities } by Colin G Calloway will give you a good understand of the Hard choices they Had to make . bit dry at times but lot's of fact. There's an old folk song from the war of 1812 Battle of New Orleans/ In 1814 i took a little trip along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip , we took a little bacon and we took a little beans and caught the bloody British in the town of new Orleans . I learned it in 7th grade music class. keep learning !
America won in all 3 theaters of the War. Great Lakes region, repulsed at Baltimore Maryland and completely smashed in the Southern Theater annihilating a veteran Peninsula War army.
I'm pretty sure the Highlanders suffered some of the worst of it because they had to advance through the swamp and got bogged down under fire very quickly.
Of course, the fun part about "British Deserter's" was the attitude "Once an Englishman, always an Englishman", and the fact was, that once you had been impressed into the Royal Navy, by fair means or foul, no matter your original nationality was, unless they discharged you, you were a "British Deserter" by definition.
Oh in 1815 we took a little a trip along with colonel Jackson down to mighty mississipp we took a little bacon and we took a little beans and we caught the bloody British at a town in New Orleans
The unrest in New England was in part because of Party Politics. The Federalist Party of Alexander Hamilton still enjoyed great support in New England, even after the famous secretary's death in the duel against Aaron Burr. It was always Hamilton's idea to reconcile with Britain and maintain a strong economic tie with the British, whilst his political opponents, the Democratic-Republicans headed by Thomas Jefferson, largely supported increasing ties and supporting the French Revolution. During this time, the elections were insane. With opponents of each side calling each other Monarchists or Francophiles. A Federalist Newspublisher tried to convince people that Thomas Jefferson couldn't run for President, because he had actually died earlier that year(A fabrication). And another newspaper for the Jeffersonians made a scathing insult, calling Federalist Presidential Candidate John Adams a Hermaphrodite... Stuff was insane. Because of the rather Pro-British views of the party, the Federalist Party fell to shambles after the War of 1812 never to make a comeback, beginning a Democratic-Republican dominated period of time known as the Era of Good Feelings. The Democratic-Republican Party would eventually fracture into other parties, from those eventually rose the two parties that dominate American Government to this day.
I wonder what would have happened if England was not preoccupied fighting Napoleon at the time or if the other European Nations had never given up the land they held in Noth America.
I recall hearing that it was banned from broadcast during a visit to the US by the queen back in the 60s I think, but some stations played it anyway. (A quick search turns up nothing so I don't know how true or how well-documented that is.)
Yeah, the fact that many Americans heard about the incredibly one- sided victory at the battle of NEw Orleans before or within a couple days of hearing about the treaty connected the 2 events for many people even though it wasn't true. When combined with the fact that the US didnt lose any territory it greatly contributed to the US feeling like it won. That map of the Tecumseh federation is quite weirdly placed though. most of the Native forces fighting the Us were from the Great Lakes and Ohio valley along with some from the south, not the far western plains of the Louisiana territory. Also yes the NAtives were very well aware of the political situation between the US and Britain and fought with British regiments.
In Quebec the French Catholics had legal protections that Catholics in the rest of the realm did not have. Much of the early US was rife with well known anti-Catholic bigotry... certainly the Quebecois wanted no part of that.
The Quebecois were economically connected to the English-speaking Canadians so the Americans were a risk they didn't need. Also the Quebecois enjoyed religious protection as part of Canada something that the Americans had made no commitment to protect. Also the Quebecois had thrown the Americans out of Quebec City and Montreal during the Revolution, so there was no reason to be impressed the American military success at this point.
The First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, prevents the government from making laws to regulate establishment of religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion.
If you get the time and have the inclination. Michael Loftus did a stand up called "American Wiseas" where he does comedy bits on some history. This included.
1812 was an odd war from America's perspective. Britain was still a Superpower at the time. Seems like a very risky war from America's perspective. They got lucky that Napoleon started causing issues.
Regarding the Louisiana Purchase, you can see it from the map. They listed only one city in that huge territory, New Orleans. France never really developed the land. Very few people lived in "Louisiana". Below 100k if memory serves.
That flag is either a regimental or state flag. You wouldn't see many American flags anywhere during the war of 1812, most Americans didn't consider themselves Americans. They were Texans or pennsylvanians or virginians. It wasn't until the Civil War that our national identity formed and took precedent over our state identity.
Ok British Boys, play a marching band tune so USA knows! WTF hahaha but we US melted the canon and saw a crocadile! South "Hold my Beer" Boom and we laughed and laughed. Hahaha Hey I love the UK but love my Scottish blood better! Ok Johnny Horton the song!
You should hear the song Battle of New Orleans by Johnny Horton. It is a lot of fun.
Well we took a little bacon and we took a little beans...
Thanks a bunch. That will be stuck in my head all day.
The war of 1812 featured many future presidents by the nature of it. James Monroe was Secretary of War and State, John Quincy Adams was a diplomat who helped secure the treaty of Ghent, Andrew Jackson was a general, William Henry Harrison was also a general, John Tyler organized a militia company and was their captain but they disbanded two months later after the threat of invasion to Virginia had passed, Zachary Taylor was a brevet major during the war, and finally James Buchanan served as a private during the defense of Baltimore in 1814, the only president to be in the military and not hold the rank of officer and the last president to have fought in the war of 1812.
New England actually had a large secessionist movement due to the war of 1812
There was one interesting incident during the battle of New Orleans. An American serving under Andrew Jackson decided to desert to the other side. He knew of a weak spot in the American defenses that the the British could not see because of the wall Jackson had his troops build. So the British directed one of their main attacks on that position. The problem is, Jackson inspected the American line that morning and saw the same weakness. So, he ordered a regiment of Tennessee volunteers to that same spot, So, the weakest part of the American line became the strongest. Furthermore, the British build ramps for their soldiers to march up over Jackson's wall. But someone forgot to bring the ramps along until the march was getting close to the wall. This left the British force defenseless, in formation, until the ramps arrived. Meanwhile a platoon of American soldiers could march (crouched down) on to a plank, behind the wall, pop up and fire a volley into the stationary British soldiers. Other platoons followed. This created a fire against the British that was withering, and eventually drove them back.
Yes, that Harrison is the one who died in office in a month. He gave the longest inauguration speech on record (something like two hours) in rather bad weather. The two events are generally considered related.
There was a Lot of hostility Between Quebec and New England, mostly over religious differences (at the time, Massachusetts was just about the most anti-Catholic State in the Country).
The "battle of Lake Erie" was fought in Put-in-Bay and generally goes by the first name. The modern amusement park of Cedar Point is very near the location.
Horseshoe Bend started to make Jackson's Reputation, it also started the career of Sam Houston, one of his Junior officers, who was first over the wall and badly wounded in the process. When Houston's political career fell apart after the war, he would move to Texas and was one of the leaders of that revolution.
There was very little resistance at Washington. Baltimore was a different matter. The local troops put up a stiff fight, the aforementioned storm and Ft. McHenry holding the fleet at bay meant that the "Nest of Pirates" (Baltimore being a major Privateer and Naval base) held.
The burning of Washington was retaliation for the Burning of York (modern Toronto) during Harrison's invasion.
The North Eastern Front was getting stronger despite dissatisfaction in 1814. Winfield Scott had taken over (and was VERY competent) plus the Americans had won another inland naval battle on Lake Champlain. There was serious worry that further campaigns around Niagara would not be good for Canada (but it would take time). One reason to settle then.
Holding New Orleans would have put a major crimp on the "Ohio Country" (The area east of the Mississippi and north of the Ohio River) it was THE export port for most agricultural goods grown in the west (the Erie Canal wasn't even started, and railroads were almost 20 years off). That was reason number one Jefferson had wanted to buy it in the first place.
Another part of Jackson's defenses, he made arrangements with Jean Lafitte, a local Pirate/protection racket for a lot of the cannon he would use (which were rather heavy, since most were naval guns). There is a movie of the Battle Called "The Pirate" (Starring Charlton Heston) but it's a bit old.
Officers were expected to LEAD their men. This was dangerous, but not a death sentence (a lot of officers were degenerate gamblers at any rate) generals were expected to be visible but usually held back some hundreds of yards (only exposing themselves if REALLY needed). Facing American troops, was a lot worse. Officers were usually targeted (they had the NICE uniforms), and a good rifleman could hit them at 2-300 yards (a musket wasn't really accurate past 50). After the battle there were claims all along the line to have been the one who shot Pakenhem, some of which were a little dubious (someone got him).
Winfield Scott is by far the most underrated American general.
That flag you were wondering about at 16:12 is exactly what you guessed...it looks like the battle flag of the 4th Infantry Regiment. 💯✌
Remember, at the time, a musket was only accurate out to about 100 yards - so you only had to face as many volleys as could be fired by your enemy while you closed.
With an almost 2 to 1 advantage in numbers, and confidence in his seasoned Regulars vs "Militia", a frontal assault, especially under the cover of fog doesn't seem so unreasonable.
But first, General Packenham may have underestimated the American troop's abilities with firearms, secondly, among those firearms would have been a significant number of rifles -
once the fog lifted the fact that these were accurate to 200 yards - or more in experienced hands most likely directly resulted in his demise.
He, and most of his senior officers were killed in that 30 minute battle - a certain degree of the overall carnage is attributed to the loss of command and control -
because units pinned down and unable to advance (to their credit) remained in place - until (finally) ordered to withdraw.
Hand on the heart for the star spangled banner? The queen would not be pleased.
I believe Andrew Jackson had such distain to the British because of of his childhood.
He was a young boy during the American Revolution when a British soldier killed his mother and hit him in the face it left a permanent lisp on his face. He even joined the Army shorty after that during the revolution as a boy. It’s a crazy story. 😁
in times of exploration and colonialism, claiming a river meant claiming the whole river bason. If you got the mouth of the amazon, you got all of Brazil. Finding the Mississippi got France the whole Louisiana claim. And the British claim on the American pacific northwest was based on finding the Columbia, and holding it with a fort (fort Vancouver) until the American population surrounded them and they couldn't maintain the claim. Rivers were the most reliable form of transit until the railroads, so holding the mouth of a river was a huge claim.
The British were certainly involved in the areas around Florida both during and after the war.
Andrew Jackson famously hanged 2 British citizens under just those sort of charges in 1818.
Depending on whose version of history you are reading (and there are many, many versions)
this may, or may not, have been an injustice.
Certainly the British Government was not pleased.
It should be noted that Andrew Jackson could be said to have a deep seated hatred of the British -
dating from the cruelly unfortunate circumstances he survived during the Revolutionary War.
You're right about William Henry Harrison. He began to serve as US president in early 1841, and died a month later. His grandson, Benjamin Harrison, served as president at the end of the 19th century.
The two US schooners, the Hamilton and Scourge, were sunk in Lake Ontario by a sudden squall. By 1980 they were found and quite intact because the deep water is anaerobic. Similar to wooden shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea. "The Buccaneer" 1958, was the Hollywood treatment of this battle. Pirate Jean Lafitte was crucial. Lord Wellington was quite clear that he thought further war in the Americas was pointless (given victory in Europe).
Very interesting, both the video and your reaction. The British still fought the traditional European style, which defeated Napoleon. The Americans fought the Native American style, which was closer to what we now call guerrilla.
Someone give this chap honorary US citizenship! He came right to attention when the national anthem started playing. Awesome!
When it comes to a "Standing Army".
You have to remember that at the Time the United States was founded,
many, if not most, of the "Founding Father's" considered that maintaining an Army during peacetime
was primarily as a tool of Government Oppression -
since that was their view of what the British used their Army for.
Also, it cost a lot of money -
So the US, certainly right up to WW1, maintained an army much smaller than most European nations.
Like the Swedes
Great video, I always enjoy your reactions.
Several very astute observations! Well done!
You are correct about William Henry Harrison. He was elected president in 1840, making him fairly elderly for that time period (67 years old). Accounts say he delivered his inauguration speech on a cold and wet day, and he did not wear a coat or hat. Plus, he rode on horseback to the capitol -- all to impress people that he was still the hero of the War of 1812, etc. After that, he had a habit of taking early morning walks, and some days he got drenched in early morning rain, not changing out of his wet clothes. Long and short, he didn't take care of himself. He was dead 30 days after he took office. Apparently, some modern-day sleuthing in the records may have turned up evidence that the cause of death may have been typhoid fever caused by bad sanitation in Washington, which was still pretty rough-hewn in those days.
The Louisiana Purchase from France and the purchase of Alaska from Russia happened for the exact same reason. Fear of the British navy. Napoleon thought the Brits would just take their territory and they could do nothing about it so they sold it to use cheap to get something for it. The Russians did the same thing with Alaska. We profited greatly off of fear of the British Imperialism
When you hunt for your food, you cant afford to miss. You were either an excellent shot or starved.
The significance of the Battle of New Orleans and the War of 1812 overall was IMO actually reduced by the American Victory.
Here's what President Andrew Jackson said about the battle long after the war:
Near the end of Jackson's presidency, a Congressman asked Jackson whether there was a point to the Battle of New Orleans.
Jackson replied,
“If General Pakenham and his 10,000 matchless veterans could have annihilated my little army,
he would have captured New Orleans and sentried all the contiguous territory, though technically the war was over.
Great Britain would have immediately abrogated the Treaty of Ghent and would have ignored Jefferson’s transaction with Napoleon.”
I would add, "Thus Gaining the Territory they thought they had gained in the 1763 treaty of Paris - but for the machinations of Spain and France."
This would have put a major crimp on US westward expansion anywhere west of the Mississippi - with Britain controlling all trade on the Mississippi by controlling New Orleans.
I think this is absolutely correct. Whoever held New Orleans controlled the Mississippi, and that meant control over the interior of North America. Winning the Battle of New Orleans was actually existential for the United States as sovereign over all of the territory west of the Appalachians.
The Indian leader Tecumseh was killed in battle in Canada by Richard M. Johnson, who also became a war hero and later Vice-President of the USA.
American troops were often "Raw" in the matters of conventional warfare - but most of these men were very experienced with firearms and
many had seen battle in the almost perpetual conflicts of the expanding frontier.
So these weren't quite the same as European farmers, villagers, and shop keepers.
They couldn't march or maneuver on an open field, but they could certainly shoot and many if not most had seen blood spilled in anger.
Many would have been a handful if it had come to hand to hand.
Colonel Jackson for example besides having fought in several battles,
already permanently carried 2 pistol balls in his body, from 2 separate duels he had fought previously.
(Which gives some insight to his temperament.)
4:00 it was a British bank that provided the US the money to buy the LA Purchase from Napoleon. Process that calculation by the British.
Hey just found your channel nice reactions keep it up ,love from India
Generals did die in battle much more in this era - because they needed to be present on the field in order to direct their troops.
The Canadians revere General Brock - who was killed even as his troops won the day - defeating the American forces.
But it should also be noted that on the American continent at least - sharpshooters deliberately targeted officers,
most battles starting with "Bunker Hill" show a surprisingly high loss of life among the Officer Corps.
New Orleans was a very bad battle to for Senior Officers.
Umtil the Civil War, Jan. 18, was regarded as the second Independence Day in the US.
William Henry Harrison, the 9th president, served the shortest time in US presidential history at only 31 days. Harrison came to office in 1841 to succeed Martin Van Buren and caught a cold that developed into pneumonia. He was the first president to die in office on April 4, 1841. His abrupt death caused a brief constitutional crisis regarding his succession. In the end, it was decided that the Vice President would succeed, John Tyler became the next President.
When assessing the Quality of Troops on the American continent - one has to remember, that many European troops viewed the American Hinterlands with absolute horror -
filled with horrible, dangerous animals... and Indians!
Indian Warriors were esteemed as skilled stalkers and adept in the woodlands, as well as being feared as dangerous foes.
So, while "Crack Regulars" were not to be matched in an open, set piece battle, they did not always fair as well in less conventional settings.
Additionally, Many Regular Officers disdained an enemy that didn't fight "by the rules" - often to their misfortune or demise.
I grew up listening to old Jonny Horton and Marty Robins because they got me interested in history. My blood line is alcohol I am English, Scottish, Irish, and German. Napoleon Bonaparte, was losing interest in establishing a North American empire and needed funds to fight the British. The American rifles had lands and grooves making it more accurate that the British “brown Bess” musket
It appears to me that the British didn't respect their opponent. Trying to overrun a fortified position with a roughly equal number of troops means you expect them to break. If they hold the advancing troops are likely to be slaughtered.
For more information about Tecumsah and his rallying of native tribes, (he was hoping to gain a truce between tribes to battle the Americans), there is a great historical novel by Alexander Thom called "Panther in the Sky" which I believe is what Tecumsah means in native languages. It's a great book. I read it in two days. Well written and very historically accurate. He travelled as far south as Georgia in his attempts to do this. While he was there, Harrison attacked the village where his family was located and killed his brother who was the medicine man of his tribe and destroyed the village. This is the Battle of Tippicanoe, which gained Harrison his notoriety and eventually his presidency.
I wouldn't think the Battle of New Orleans would have been as demoralizing to the British as the bombardment of Fort McHenry.
A Francophone Canadian friend of mine once summed up the Québécois attitude towards siding with the British vs the Americans like this: “Better to deal with the devil you know than the one you don’t.” And I think that touches upon what you said about the French-speaking subjects of British Canada believing that the United Kingdom cared more about preserving their language and culture. Many of them quite frankly did not trust the Americans to do the same, despite whatever misgivings they had about their current Anglophone overlords.
The Americans had a really weird approach to the Québécois. They very much felt that they should be allied together against the British, while at the same time pointing to things like the Quebec act, which restored a lot of the French status quo and rights to Quebec, as one of the intolerable acts. I think they just assumed that the Québécois would want to stick it to the British no matter what. Never mind the fact that the Americans had identified as British not to long ago, and had probably interacted with the French colonists more than the British mainlanders had.
American sailors were trained to speak Dutch because the British would not take Dutch sailors from American ships but they would take anyone who spoke English or Gaelic well.
I know that the French Canadians did not join with the Americans in the Revolutionary War primarily because the British passed the Quebec Act to guarantee certain rights and privileges such as the freedom of religion (they were mostly Catholic) and also use of French civil law, more territory, etc. The French in Quebec were also skeptical of the staunchly Protestant Americans. Of course by the time of the War of 1812, the US Constitution was in place, which also guaranteed freedom of religion. I imagine they were still skeptical about the Americans in any case, and perhaps thought the devil you know is better than the devil you don’t know. They may have also calculated that the US were not likely to win against the British military.
Now you study history to see A) What happened B) why it mattered. This war mattered to the Americans because it erased the Revolutionary War myth that we could defend ourselves with militias. After this war we knew we couldn't rely on militias and put emphasis on the regular army. Canada on the other hand had this myth of militias reinforced to their detriment for years to come.
Read more about Sir Isaac Brock. One hell of a guy. He was put in charge of defending Canada but given very little help because the English told him is was a lost cause. He took weapons from hunters, hired natives to work for him and did everything he could to defend Canada. Time and time again, he was more aware of what was going on in the battle and even learned the war had started before every American general in the area.
How he took Detroit without firing a shot: the man in charge was DEATHLY afraid of the natives and his wife and children were in Detroit with him. Brock sent him a letter and said something along the longs of "I implore you to surrender, for if this siege lasts another day, I will lose all control of the natives and God knows what they will to to the city.
He had kept so far of the Americas until one day he was woken up and told the Americans were setting up artillery on some high ground overlooking their camp. He got up, dressed in full military uniform and rode out to the site where his soldiers were just watching this happen. Without hesitating a moment, he started charging up the hill BY HIMSELF. He was shot once, then twice then was hit several more times. This put a fire in his troops and they charged and re-took the hill.
The exact place Brock died is the border between USA and Canada. It bears his statue and is 185 meters talls.
I enjoy pretty much anything you post...the very few times I have not, it has always been the fault of the video being reacted to. I think it is good that you are mixing videos like this with more in depth coverage of events, in with the more generalized videos like Oversimplified and such. I would really enjoy seeing you react to a slightly more in depth examination of a major event in the Cold War...could you check out the series on the Suez Crisis of 1956 that the folks at TimeGhost put out? Anyway...keep up the great work. ✌💯😁
After the British takeover of what had been French Canada in 1763, they very quickly (by 1774) granted the population the right to continue using French civil law and practice the Catholic faith. This is something that the heavily Protestant colonists in the future US found offensive, so much so that it's among the list of charges against the crown in the Declaration of Independence. Thus, the prospect of a US conquest of Canada represented a threat to the way of life for many Canadiens and explains their willingness to fight with Britain.
The flag looked like the West Florida flag. Blue field with white star. West Florida was across the lake from New Orleans back then.
You were correct about Generals being casualties in times past. Today, Generals are not in the front lines. Except, of course, in present day Ukraine where so many Russian Generals have been casualties. What the heck? We grew up believing that Russia could probably give a good fight. Look at them now. A paper doll Army with old rusted toys.
Tecumseh was a Native American Chief who sought to carve out a territory in the US for their to be a Native American nation of United Native Tribes, in mirror to the United States. Tecumseh's brother was an eccentric who became popular among native tribes for his prophesy and it's his bother's prophesy of such a nation coming to be that Tecumseh strove to make it so. Tecumseh died though when a plan for an US force entrapment between his forces and his British allies failed because the British force had already been routed. The plan for a United States of Native America died with him at the hands of the forces of William Henry Harrison and his forces.
Thank you, I didn't know that and I think I know a lot 😊
Often time, different volunteer regiments had their own regimental colors, which sometimes would include different flags instead of the US Flag.
8:50 you are correct Harrison died a month into office. While this was for years attributed to pneumonia derived from giving a long innaugural speech in the rain, recent research has pointed towards contaminated water infecting him with typhoid. The same water source may have killed Zachary Taylor and Lincoln's son Willie.
1:50 my middle school history teacher mixed them up too.
Toward the end everyone could see that the war was over.
Britain finally had the manpower for a crushing defeat and launched a strategic three-pronged attack.
The first was to cut off New England and claim it for Canada. It failed due to a British naval loss at Lake Champlain.
The second was to break American morale by terrorist attacks along the coast led by Admiral Cockburn. He burned Washington and nobody cared. He failed to take Baltimore.
The third was the capture of New Orleans-and thus the Mississippi river.
Another failure
The Duke of Wellington pretty much said "We can't win-sign the treaty."
Someone may have already pointed this out, but that initial map, showing the blue French possession is inaccurate. By that time that area had been purchased by the US.
I grew up, and still live, about 10K from the battle field. The National Park Service has set up a very nice museum with a very informative presentation on the battle it's self on site.
The battle took place after the treaty was negotiated, but before the treaty was ratified. The biggest enemy the British faced during the events leading up to the battle, and during the battle as well, was British General Packenham. There were at least 3 occasions where he managed to 'snatch defeat from the jaws of victory'.
There is a video on TH-cam that was produced by a local educational TV channel that fills some holes in most other accounts. It is a panel discussion with local historians titled "The Battle of New Orleans: A Closer Look ". It's worth a look even if you don't react to it, which you may not be able to do anyway.
Our British friend here also lives about 10,000 Kms. from the battle site.
@@annfrost3323 I have him beat by 3 zeros. 😂
Clearly your a young man who enjoys reading and learning , not sure if it's still in print =The America Revolution In Indian Country { crisis and diversity in native American communities } by Colin G Calloway will give you a good understand of the Hard choices they Had to make . bit dry at times but lot's of fact. There's an old folk song from the war of 1812 Battle of New Orleans/ In 1814 i took a little trip along with Colonel Jackson down the mighty Mississip , we took a little bacon and we took a little beans and caught the bloody British in the town of new Orleans . I learned it in 7th grade music class. keep learning !
America won in all 3 theaters of the War. Great Lakes region, repulsed at Baltimore Maryland and completely smashed in the Southern Theater annihilating a veteran Peninsula War army.
I'm pretty sure the Highlanders suffered some of the worst of it because they had to advance through the swamp and got bogged down under fire very quickly.
19:23 there was a massive slave revolt near New Orleans just a couple years before this.
Oh, hell; I thought you were going to react to the SONG.
he also did the song sink the bismark
Of course, the fun part about "British Deserter's" was the attitude "Once an Englishman, always an Englishman",
and the fact was, that once you had been impressed into the Royal Navy,
by fair means or foul, no matter your original nationality was,
unless they discharged you,
you were a "British Deserter" by definition.
8:27 You're correct. He was 3 feet, 8 inches.
I thought the statement was Harrison was president for one month. A short-tine president.
I imagine the British could have made some uncomfortable incursions into more of the populated areas had they prevailed.
Oh in 1815 we took a little a trip along with colonel Jackson down to mighty mississipp we took a little bacon and we took a little beans and we caught the bloody British at a town in New Orleans
The unrest in New England was in part because of Party Politics. The Federalist Party of Alexander Hamilton still enjoyed great support in New England, even after the famous secretary's death in the duel against Aaron Burr. It was always Hamilton's idea to reconcile with Britain and maintain a strong economic tie with the British, whilst his political opponents, the Democratic-Republicans headed by Thomas Jefferson, largely supported increasing ties and supporting the French Revolution.
During this time, the elections were insane. With opponents of each side calling each other Monarchists or Francophiles. A Federalist Newspublisher tried to convince people that Thomas Jefferson couldn't run for President, because he had actually died earlier that year(A fabrication). And another newspaper for the Jeffersonians made a scathing insult, calling Federalist Presidential Candidate John Adams a Hermaphrodite... Stuff was insane.
Because of the rather Pro-British views of the party, the Federalist Party fell to shambles after the War of 1812 never to make a comeback, beginning a Democratic-Republican dominated period of time known as the Era of Good Feelings. The Democratic-Republican Party would eventually fracture into other parties, from those eventually rose the two parties that dominate American Government to this day.
At 2:00 Maybe the world's strongest military that could project war on American soil via naval superiority
I wonder what would have happened if England was not preoccupied fighting Napoleon at the time or if the other European Nations had never given up the land they held in Noth America.
you should listen to the song battle of new orleans by johnny horton
I recall hearing that it was banned from broadcast during a visit to the US by the queen back in the 60s I think, but some stations played it anyway. (A quick search turns up nothing so I don't know how true or how well-documented that is.)
Most of American citizens was French Courer De Bois.
Yeah, the fact that many Americans heard about the incredibly one- sided victory at the battle of NEw Orleans before or within a couple days of hearing about the treaty connected the 2 events for many people even though it wasn't true. When combined with the fact that the US didnt lose any territory it greatly contributed to the US feeling like it won.
That map of the Tecumseh federation is quite weirdly placed though. most of the Native forces fighting the Us were from the Great Lakes and Ohio valley along with some from the south, not the far western plains of the Louisiana territory. Also yes the NAtives were very well aware of the political situation between the US and Britain and fought with British regiments.
In Quebec the French Catholics had legal protections that Catholics in the rest of the realm did not have.
Much of the early US was rife with well known anti-Catholic bigotry... certainly the Quebecois wanted no part of that.
The Quebecois were economically connected to the English-speaking Canadians so the Americans were a risk they didn't need. Also the Quebecois enjoyed religious protection as part of Canada something that the Americans had made no commitment to protect. Also the Quebecois had thrown the Americans out of Quebec City and Montreal during the Revolution, so there was no reason to be impressed the American military success at this point.
The First Amendment to the Constitution, ratified in 1791, prevents the government from making laws to regulate establishment of religion or prohibit the free exercise of religion.
If you get the time and have the inclination. Michael Loftus did a stand up called "American Wiseas" where he does comedy bits on some history. This included.
1812 was an odd war from America's perspective. Britain was still a Superpower at the time. Seems like a very risky war from America's perspective. They got lucky that Napoleon started causing issues.
Regarding the Louisiana Purchase, you can see it from the map. They listed only one city in that huge territory, New Orleans. France never really developed the land. Very few people lived in "Louisiana". Below 100k if memory serves.
the generals died more often because they sat on their horses above the lines so they were a clear shot.
That flag is either a regimental or state flag. You wouldn't see many American flags anywhere during the war of 1812, most Americans didn't consider themselves Americans. They were Texans or pennsylvanians or virginians. It wasn't until the Civil War that our national identity formed and took precedent over our state identity.
Ok British Boys, play a marching band tune so USA knows! WTF hahaha but we US melted the canon and saw a crocadile! South "Hold my Beer" Boom and we laughed and laughed. Hahaha Hey I love the UK but love my Scottish blood better! Ok Johnny Horton the song!
I recommend drawn of History’s series on the war of 1812 and any other video he had done.
Canadians always "forget" that we Americans burned the main buildings in York(Toronto), etc. Oh, well, if it makes our puppets feel better.... ;-)
Good show, how much Money do you get from watching a TV show. Good scam, let me know how to do it
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My favorite American army.