Wars are fought because one country wants to gain an advantage over the other, whether it's in territory, resources, or simply self-esteem. The U.S. went to war because they were tired of British trying to dictate their maritime policies since the the Revolutionary War. Plus, they'd tried daily affirmations of "We are special just as we are," and it didn't work.
Many in the United States saw the war as a point of national pride. We'd show the Brits that the American victory in the Revolution was no accident.
The British went to war to force the U.S. to stop challenging their maritime policies and to use Native American tribes as allies to limit America's westward expansion.
When the dust settled and thousands of soldiers and sailors were dead, the balance of power remained just about the same. You can see this pretty clearly in the Treaty of Ghent's continual emphasis on reciprocity, and resetting things to prewar conditions.
So who won the power struggle? Nobody, really. But the Americans felt they'd stood up to a world power and held their own. What's a burned-down government building or two when you can get Big Bad Britain to sign a treaty saying that you're their equal?
Questions About Power
- What are some reasons that neither side succeeded in gaining major advantages in the Treaty of Ghent negotiations?
- Even though both sides settled the war on equal terms, what are some ways that the United States might have benefitted more from the Treaty of Ghent?
- The Treaty of Ghent didn't change many tangibles. What intangible things might each side have gained in the final agreement?
Chew on This
Although no land changed sides after the War of 1812, the United States experienced a surge in national confidence due to the perception that America won the war. Power is in the eyes of the beholder.
The Treaty of Ghent delegated significant power to groups of commissioners in order to streamline negotiations over disputed lands and quickly reach a peace. This showed some serious trust on both sides.