I need to go to the Library and check out a book about the "War of 1812".

I flunked out badly on todays Trivia game (Entertainment Section). Anyone else take the quiz ?

That conflict was barely mentioned during any History class. Dolly Madison grabbed the portraits off the walls before the fire...Francis Scott Key penned a famous song near Fort McHenry, and Johnny Horton gave us another song about what happened in New Orleans... Beyond that it doesn't get much attention.

The education system has changed alot the last 25 years.Its now a POLITICALY correct history which pulled alot of the hardships out and put flowers in its place. When I was in school we got 2 weeks worth of the war of 1812. This included the political infighting(backstabbing)as well as the infighting between commanders in the field. There were several battles fought on the Great Lakes, The flegling U.S army did poorly in battles in the first part of the war. Go to the civil war teachings today. Gen'l Lee is only noted once and that is as a slave owner. Gen'l Grant is noted only as a president that fought in the civil war.

For a quick history, the Wikipeadia article isn't too bad. However, there is a new book that might be worth looking into.

"http://www.amazon.com/1812-War-America-Jon-Latimer/dp/0674025849/ref=pd_sim_b_1"

Most books about the subject are written from American sources. This one is from the British side, which might prove interesting.

Looks like another book has been added to my reading list.

Sullivan013

No hot links, please!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: USNVet940,

quote:

Originally posted by swremwin:
I need to go to the Library and check out a book about the "War of 1812".

I flunked out badly on todays Trivia game (Entertainment Section). Anyone else take the quiz ?

That conflict was barely mentioned during any History class. Dolly Madison grabbed the portraits off the walls before the fire...Francis Scott Key penned a famous song near Fort McHenry, and Johnny Horton gave us another song about what happened in New Orleans... Beyond that it doesn't get much attention.

Make sure it is a British history book because they have another side to the war of 1812. It was stated in our history books that America declared war on Great Britain because they were "Impressing American Seamen into the British Navy but give no reason as to why they were impressed. Remember that little British Mandate of 1807? The one about kidnapping people, especially Africans and selling them into slavery in America? That's what the "American Seamen" were doing and impressment was the punishment.

Additionally, the British had a bounty on John Cabot of New England. He had the largest fleet of ships operating in the golden (Slave Trading) Triangle and was thus the biggest violator of the mandate. This is why the War of 1812 is so scantily written about. It casts a negative light on American Propaganda. Yes, our history is mostly propaganda just as is all other national histories.

heres a start which can't be disputed by any historian. There were 8 (eight) major engagements between 1812 and 1815. The US lost 5 of them. In 1813 the US invaded and captured and burned York (Toronto today). the following year the British and Canadian Militia landed at Baltimore, marched on and captured Washington and burned it. In the process they burned the building that is currently known as the White House. It was blackened by the fire and in repainting it white to cover the black it became famous for all time.

quote:

Originally posted by 10409997:
heres a start which can't be disputed by any historian. There were 8 (eight) major engagements between 1812 and 1815. The US lost 5 of them. In 1813 the US invaded and captured and burned York (Toronto today). the following year the British and Canadian Militia landed at Baltimore, marched on and captured Washington and burned it. In the process they burned the building that is currently known as the White House. It was blackened by the fire and in repainting it white to cover the black it became famous for all time.

I'll dispute it.

Landed at Baltimore then attacked Washington, DC????????? Ever heard of The Star Spangled Banner? The poem was written to commemorate the shelling of Ft McHenry. Ft McHenry is at the entrance to Baltimore harbor.

The British attempted to shell Ft McHenry into submission so they could attack and capture Baltimore. The attack FAILED. The British DID NOT land at Baltmore and then attack Washington, DC.

It was actually the other way around, they attacked and burned DC, THEN headed to Baltimore. When the sea attack was repulsed, the land attack failed too. Kinda like you failing your American history.

To personally connect with this War which was generally fought in the East...visit your local libray geneology library and look for your family name.

Seems the Revoulution, the 1812 War, WW2 and VietNamese Wars were rather general...and involved many families...

quote:

Originally posted by swremwin:
I need to go to the Library and check out a book about the "War of 1812".

I flunked out badly on todays Trivia game (Entertainment Section). Anyone else take the quiz ?

That conflict was barely mentioned during any History class. Dolly Madison grabbed the portraits off the walls before the fire...Francis Scott Key penned a famous song near Fort McHenry, and Johnny Horton gave us another song about what happened in New Orleans... Beyond that it doesn't get much attention.

I always liked Homer & jethro's version better. I'd rather watch girl scout's than Limey soldier's

Is that because you lost?

[QUE]Originally posted by 10409997:
heres a start which can't be disputed by any historian. There were 8 (eight) major engagements between 1812 and 1815. The US lost 5 of them. In 1813 the US invaded and captured and burned York (Toronto today). the following year the British and Canadian Militia landed at Baltimore, marched on and captured Washington and burned it. In the process they burned the building that is currently known as the White House. It was blackened by the fire and in repainting it white to cover the black it became famous for all time.[/QUOTE]

Yes, the burned building was whitewashed to cover the scorchmarks, but it was still known as the "Executive Mansion". TR (Teddy Roosevelt) coined the phrase "White House" during his administration.

Well, at least a few people are still looking at The History Section on this website.

Thanks for the input folks... IMO , we don't talk much about it (1812) because as some of you mentioned --- we (The young U.S.A.) didn't do all that well.

As for today's Trivia game ... I got 3 correct!

Anyone else play the game ? There are 3 questions each day. You can find it by putting your cursor on the "Entertainment" catagory at the top of the screen.

I play trivia every day since 2004. Generaly end the month with 65 /75 pts.

Well considering that many young people today cannot tell you who was president when they were born, I am not surprised. One young lady I know did not know the GWB's dad had president from 1989 to 1993. Did not know about the First Gulf War. Was totally shocked to find that Reagan had been an actor before he turned to politics.

quote:

Originally posted by rangerdoug:
Was totally shocked to find that Reagan had been an actor before he turned to politics.

To be fair, so was nearly everybody else.

quote:

Originally posted by swremwin:
I need to go to the Library and check out a book about the "War of 1812".

I flunked out badly on todays Trivia game (Entertainment Section). Anyone else take the quiz ?

That conflict was barely mentioned during any History class. Dolly Madison grabbed the portraits off the walls before the fire...Francis Scott Key penned a famous song near Fort McHenry, and Johnny Horton gave us another song about what happened in New Orleans... Beyond that it doesn't get much attention.

See if you can find "1812, The War That Forged a
Nation" by Walter H. Borneman. It is a straight forward unbiased history of the War of 1812.

Thanks for the tip Rangerdoug. I'll take a look next time I'm at the library.

Yaa know since I started the thread in January (yikes...it's July already!) I have seen a couple of programs on "Military channel" and on "History channel" that have mentioned some Naval battles which took place during that short war. They also mentioned a non-shooting "hostility" between us and France while Jefferson was President.