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Honestly, I wouldn't consider the War of 1812 the most obscure American war. At least most people know it happened, unlike the Barbary States wars, or the Spanish American war. Agree with the article though that the period of history 1800-about 1820 is the 2 decades no one cares about, because it is boring, baring a few things.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/29 18:29:32
The war is totally famous and well known in the US. There's an historically accurate song about it that documents the first use of an impromptu gator-cannon.
This message was edited 1 time. Last update was at 2012/05/29 19:49:54
At least you guys have interesting history. You should check out australian history sometime. (Or lack thereof).
Veteran Sergeant wrote:In the grim darkness of the far future, the guy with a rifle is the weakest man on the battlefield, left to quake in terror, hoping the two or three shots he gets do the job before somebody runs screaming across the battlefield to hit him with an energized stick.
I was going to post the Arrogant Worm's rendition of the war of 1812, but some Americans might take offense to it.
It's always a fun debate I've had with my counterparts in West Point. I'm a personal believer that we (the British, with some Canadians) won the war, as the Americans failed to achieve their war aims, simply put.
Fun fact for those who are unaware, your White House is white because of us. Then again, you burned down Toronto, so all's fair.
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Live near Halifax, NS? Ask me about our group, the Ordo Haligonias!
I've always thought the War of 1812 was very interesting, and it's definitely not the most obscure of American wars (although also not one of the well-known ones).
It's always funny when Americans and British and Canadians all start talking about it. The Canadians think they won because they threw back an American invasion of Canada, the British think they won because they burned Washington D.C. and helped stop the invasion of Canada, and the Americans think they won because they defeated a second British invasion of the US and had some big wins at Baltimore and New Orleans.
I think the war is a lot more famous that it ought to be. Ultimately the war was minor in scale, and changed nothing meaningful in history. I mean, in the same year Napoleon invaded Russia, and in comparison the War of 1812 just seems like the pointless little bit of nonsense that it was.
I suspect the only reason the war is famous at all is because it's the one time the US fought the UK and Canada, so giving Americans, British and Canadian people some fuel for jingoist teasing.
“We may observe that the government in a civilized country is much more expensive than in a barbarous one; and when we say that one government is more expensive than another, it is the same as if we said that that one country is farther advanced in improvement than another. To say that the government is expensive and the people not oppressed is to say that the people are rich.”
Adam Smith, who must have been some kind of leftie or something.
If american militia learns to master marksmanship and have more rifles If americans erect a better defense at midwest around the two big lakes. If american masters siege technique BEFORE hitting Canada.
Powder Burns wrote:what they need to make is a fullsize leatherman, like 14" long folded, with a bone saw, notches for bowstring, signaling flare, electrical hand crank generator, bolt cutters..
Also, I like how, despite the US having taken the initiative of declaring war first, the forces in Canada learned about the state of war before all Americans did, seeing the conquest of Ft. Detroit before the defenders even knew that there was a war on. You'd think that they would have circulated a private memo, you know, before they declared war, just giving everyone a heads up, or something.
I just like how the British proved their culture and civility by heroically torching and vandalizing important military targets like the library of congress, the white house, and the treasury. And then the gods smote them down, tornado style.
Ailaros wrote:"The conquest of Canada is a matter of marching"
-Thomas Jefferson
Also, I like how, despite the US having taken the initiative of declaring war first, the forces in Canada learned about the state of war before all Americans did, seeing the conquest of Ft. Detroit before the defenders even knew that there was a war on. You'd think that they would have circulated a private memo, you know, before they declared war, just giving everyone a heads up, or something.
1. By the time of 1812. Who is the prime minister of Britain?
2. Did british government aware that US of A is still a bane and may tag team with Napoleon against the Great Britain and its coalitions? by then the US Government itself maintains its neutrality.. just can barely keep it neutral because the Coalitions (especially Britain) had, and able to maintain a worldwide armada! Imperial France and their 'freedom fighters' rely on American resources to fight the war against the Church, Bourbons and an association of cruel monarches (I believe. there was a big famine by the French revolution, Bourbons get a full blame and food still in short supply by the time Napoleon became the Emperor of the first French Empire). the Brits chose to side with Bourbons (I don't understand why? do Bourbons easier to puppettering than anyone inside the Republic government?) and a clan of vile tyrants. also want to suppress the rebellion and want to establish a puppet state in France. rules by none other than Bourbons and the Church.
3. What will happen if.. by the time of Battle of New Orleans, debates over Treaty of Ghent still inconclusive? Will Arthur Wellesley marshalled his forces to America and fight toe - to -toe against Anderson?
Did Wellesley aware of American rifleman and how can they outperform the 95th Rifles? did he fear those 'headhunters' ?
LordofHats wrote:Meh, the US Army didn't really earn its Bada$$ card until 1846 (The $$ were added in 1945 ).
Fixed.
Lone Cat wrote:
1. By the time of 1812. Who is the prime minister of Britain?
2. Did british government aware that US of A is still a bane and may tag team with Napoleon against the Great Britain and its coalitions? by then the US Government itself maintains its neutrality.. just can barely keep it neutral because the Coalitions (especially Britain) had, and able to maintain a worldwide armada! Imperial France and their 'freedom fighters' rely on American resources to fight the war against the Church, Bourbons and an association of cruel monarches (I believe. there was a big famine by the French revolution, Bourbons get a full blame and food still in short supply by the time Napoleon became the Emperor of the first French Empire). the Brits chose to side with Bourbons (I don't understand why? do Bourbons easier to puppettering than anyone inside the Republic government?) and a clan of vile tyrants. also want to suppress the rebellion and want to establish a puppet state in France. rules by none other than Bourbons and the Church.
3. What will happen if.. by the time of Battle of New Orleans, debates over Treaty of Ghent still inconclusive? Will Arthur Wellesley marshalled his forces to America and fight toe - to -toe against Anderson?
Did Wellesley aware of American rifleman and how can they outperform the 95th Rifles? did he fear those 'headhunters' ?
Nothing you say makes sense.
Avatar 720 wrote: You see, to Auston, everyone is a Death Star; there's only one way you can take it and that's through a small gap at the back.
Powder Burns wrote:what they need to make is a fullsize leatherman, like 14" long folded, with a bone saw, notches for bowstring, signaling flare, electrical hand crank generator, bolt cutters..
There is an important geopolitical lesson to be learned from the war of 1812... If you pick a fight with a superpower, do it while they are busy with a French Emperor.
Something that almost everyone forgets is the the US was one vote away from declaring war on France as well, for the same reason that they declared war on England (Impressment of US sailors)
treadhead1944 wrote:There is an important geopolitical lesson to be learned from the war of 1812... If you pick a fight with a superpower, do it while they are busy with a French Emperor.
Something that almost everyone forgets is the the US was one vote away from declaring war on France as well, for the same reason that they declared war on England (Impressment of US sailors)
But don't forget we already had the Quasi War with France (victory! of course).
The War of 1812 won in 1814 when the Frazzled's got involved. "What do you mean the war's over. Shut up and shoot those redcoats!"
(clan Frazzled, we're a little slow on current events, but we shoot real good).
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
treadhead1944 wrote:There is an important geopolitical lesson to be learned from the war of 1812... If you pick a fight with a superpower, do it while they are busy with a French Emperor.
Something that almost everyone forgets is the the US was one vote away from declaring war on France as well, for the same reason that they declared war on England (Impressment of US sailors)
But don't forget we already had the Quasi War with France (victory! of course).
The War of 1812 won in 1814 when the Frazzled's got involved. "What do you mean the war's over. Shut up and shoot those redcoats!"
(clan Frazzled, we're a little slow on current events, but we shoot real good).
In 1814 we took a little trip
along with General Frazzled down the mighty Mississip
we took some little dachshunds
and we took a little beans
and we bit some British ankles to the town of New Orleans
-"Wait a minute.....who is that Frazz is talking to in the gallery? Hmmm something is going on here.....Oh.... it seems there is some dispute over video taping of some sort......Frazz is really upset now..........wait a minute......whats he go there.......is it? Can it be?....Frazz has just unleashed his hidden weiner dog from his mini bag, while quoting shakespeares "Let slip the dogs the war!!" GG
-"Don't mind Frazzled. He's just Dakka's crazy old dude locked in the attic. He's harmless. Mostly."
-TBone the Magnificent 1999-2014, Long Live the King!
Another small, pointless war in the long and colourful history of Britain.
Seriously in the 17th/18th/early 19th century, wars like this were ten a penny.
And as others have said, there was a fething huge and important war also going on at the same time.
Ever thought 40k would be a lot better with bears?
Codex: Bears.
NOW WITH MR BIGGLES AND HIS AMAZING FLYING CONTRAPTION
treadhead1944 wrote:There is an important geopolitical lesson to be learned from the war of 1812... If you pick a fight with a superpower, do it while they are busy with a French Emperor.
Something that almost everyone forgets is the the US was one vote away from declaring war on France as well, for the same reason that they declared war on England (Impressment of US sailors)
I think it's even more forgotten that the French were and are our original enemy.
Avatar 720 wrote: You see, to Auston, everyone is a Death Star; there's only one way you can take it and that's through a small gap at the back.
Powder Burns wrote:what they need to make is a fullsize leatherman, like 14" long folded, with a bone saw, notches for bowstring, signaling flare, electrical hand crank generator, bolt cutters..
1. By the time of 1812. Who is the prime minister of Britain?
2. Did british government aware that US of A is still a bane and may tag team with Napoleon against the Great Britain and its coalitions? by then the US Government itself maintains its neutrality.. just can barely keep it neutral because the Coalitions (especially Britain) had, and able to maintain a worldwide armada! Imperial France and their 'freedom fighters' rely on American resources to fight the war against the Church, Bourbons and an association of cruel monarches (I believe. there was a big famine by the French revolution, Bourbons get a full blame and food still in short supply by the time Napoleon became the Emperor of the first French Empire). the Brits chose to side with Bourbons (I don't understand why? do Bourbons easier to puppettering than anyone inside the Republic government?) and a clan of vile tyrants. also want to suppress the rebellion and want to establish a puppet state in France. rules by none other than Bourbons and the Church.
3. What will happen if.. by the time of Battle of New Orleans, debates over Treaty of Ghent still inconclusive? Will Arthur Wellesley marshalled his forces to America and fight toe - to -toe against Anderson?
Did Wellesley aware of American rifleman and how can they outperform the 95th Rifles? did he fear those 'headhunters' ?
Nothing you say makes sense.
Nothing he says ever makes sense... and it's always in a list...
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Seal up your lips and give no words but mum.
Equip, Reload. Do violence.
Watch for Gerry.
LordofHats wrote:Meh, the US Army didn't really earn its Bada$$ card until 1846 (The $$ were added in 1945 ).
Fixed.
Lone Cat wrote:
1. By the time of 1812. Who is the prime minister of Britain?
2. Did british government aware that US of A is still a bane and may tag team with Napoleon against the Great Britain and its coalitions? by then the US Government itself maintains its neutrality.. just can barely keep it neutral because the Coalitions (especially Britain) had, and able to maintain a worldwide armada! Imperial France and their 'freedom fighters' rely on American resources to fight the war against the Church, Bourbons and an association of cruel monarches (I believe. there was a big famine by the French revolution, Bourbons get a full blame and food still in short supply by the time Napoleon became the Emperor of the first French Empire). the Brits chose to side with Bourbons (I don't understand why? do Bourbons easier to puppettering than anyone inside the Republic government?) and a clan of vile tyrants. also want to suppress the rebellion and want to establish a puppet state in France. rules by none other than Bourbons and the Church.
3. What will happen if.. by the time of Battle of New Orleans, debates over Treaty of Ghent still inconclusive? Will Arthur Wellesley marshalled his forces to America and fight toe - to -toe against Anderson?
Did Wellesley aware of American rifleman and how can they outperform the 95th Rifles? did he fear those 'headhunters' ?
Nothing you say makes sense.
It is questions.
and some is 'what if' questions. you simply don't give me any answer just because i am a cat person not a dog one?