How The War Of 1812 Changed The Fate Of North America | Explosion 1812 | Real History



On April 27, 1813, American forces defeated the British at York (present-day Toronto) and captured the capital of Upper Canada – but not before suffering their own losses. These events at York, precipitated by the explosion of the Grand Magazine, proved to be a turning point in the War of 1812, after which the conflict degenerated into a bitter cycle of retaliation and retribution with the White House being stormed and set alight.

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19 thoughts on “How The War Of 1812 Changed The Fate Of North America | Explosion 1812 | Real History”

  1. This is by far the only piece of American history largely forgotten. I always wondered why have we forgotten this war while remembering the other wars that America fought after the war of 1812. As a student of history I feel ashamed being an American

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  2. If you call yourself a true lover of history and Have never heard of this till now, you are not a true lover of history. The British did it on purpose, we would have done the same. History loving Americans put history loving Europeans to shame.

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  3. @Dan Snow, you’re a fantastic historian, but left something important out of this documentary. The reason that Madison and the US declared war, it was to combat a serious and illegal practice during the Napoleonic wars of press ganging American merchant seaman into the British navy.

    In the lead up to the war, literally 10’s of thousands of Americans and their ships were taken into service without compensation or recourse to those kidnapped and forced to die for a country many had no affinity for nor allegiance to. Many of them would die as slaves of the British Navy never being allowed to even write home to their families. The treatment of Americans as still being subjects of the crown despite years of formal protests and numerous agreements with the UK that were not honored was the reason the US felt compelled to pursue the adventure of war.

    Otherwise great documentary. As with so many moments in history, emotions took over where facts and objective decision making would likely have seen a kindler / gentler treatment of those that the US wished to integrate as citizens.

    Something we all should keep in mind whenever emotions are riding high and especially when lives hang in the balance.

    Thanks

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