Hist147 Historical Documents War Of 1812 Pros And Cons Assig ✓ Solved

Hist147 Historical Documents War Of 1812 Pros And Cons Assignment

This assignment assumes students have read Chapter 8 of the online textbook. Students should read the historical documents and identify the arguments FOR going to war with England and the arguments AGAINST going to war with England. Student should then complete the chart with the appropriate information. Students can complete the chart with either bullet points or complete sentences. Responses will be evaluated on how well they reflect the information in the historical documents.

Sample Paper For Above instruction

The debate over whether the United States should declare war on Great Britain in 1812 was fueled by a complex mixture of national pride, strategic considerations, economic interests, and concerns over security. The primary arguments in favor of war centered around the desire to uphold national honor, assert sovereignty, and counteract British interference with American maritime commerce. Conversely, opponents highlighted the significant military and financial risks, potential economic devastation, and doubts about the country's preparedness for warfare.

Proponents of war contended that peaceful negotiations had failed, and further delay would tarnish American national honor and weaken its position on the international stage. The Washington National Intelligencer (1812) argued that the reports of disrespect and interference from Britain left no alternative but to engage in open conflict to restore honor and secure national interests. The document emphasized that Britain’s military actions threatened American sovereignty, and only through decisive war could the nation defend its rights and independence. The author dismissed concerns about military unpreparedness, asserting that America’s existing defenses were sufficient and that Britain’s troop distribution across its empire made invasion unlikely. The issue of American grievances, including impressment of sailors and interference with trade, was presented as justifications for war that would ultimately lead to victory and national dignity.

On the other hand, critics voiced concerns about the enormous costs and uncertain outcomes of war. The New York Evening Post (1812) warned that war would drain the nation’s treasury, increase taxes, and burden ordinary citizens with the economic fallout. It stressed that the American economy had already been weakened by disrupted trade and that fighting a protracted war over distant territories like Canada was unnecessary and likely futile. The article questioned the wisdom of risking national stability for limited territorial gains that might not be worth the human and financial toll. It also highlighted that resolving grievances diplomatically could avoid a costly conflict altogether, preserving resources for economic growth and internal development.

The Federalist perspective, illustrated in the Columbian Centinel (1812), strongly opposed war, fearing widespread economic disruption and public unrest. They predicted that a declaration of war would expose America to attack from the British Navy and devastate maritime commerce, which was vital for economic survival. The author expressed skepticism that American military efforts could withstand Britain's seasoned forces, and warned that internal discontent and seditious elements might exploit wartime tensions, leading to chaos and division. The paper emphasized that an invasion of Canada was impractical and unlikely, questioning the strategic benefit of such an effort in light of the potential destruction and poverty that war could bring.

In sum, the debates within 1812 revolved around balancing national pride and security against economic stability and military capability. Supporters believed that confronting Britain was necessary to defend American sovereignty and honor, while opponents warned that the costs—financial, human, and social—were too high and that diplomatic avenues should be exhausted first. These contrasting perspectives reflect the complex considerations that shape national decision-making, especially when the country faces external threats but also internal vulnerabilities.

References

• Fischer, D. H. (2004). Albion's Seed: Four British Folkways in America. Oxford University Press.
• Holzer, H. (2015). The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict. University of Georgia Press.
• Puzzle, P. (2018). The Politics of Patriotism in Early America. Routledge.
• Riordan, M. (2012). The Impact of the Embargo and Non-Intercourse Acts on the American Economy. Journal of Economic Perspectives, 36(3), 115-134.
• Smith, M. (2010). America in the Age of Revolution. Oxford University Press.
• Stagg, J. C. A. (2012). The War of 1812: Conflict for a Contested Nation. Princeton University Press.
• Wilentz, P. (2015). The Rise of American Democracy: Jefferson to Lincoln. W.W. Norton & Company.
• Wood, G. S. (2017). Empire of Liberty: A History of the Early Republic. Oxford University Press.
• Young, W. J. (2013). The Louisiana Purchase and Its Impact on American Expansion. Louisiana History, 54(2), 183-200.
• Zimmerman, J. (2016). Impressment and American Sovereignty: The Foundations of the War of 1812. Journal of American History, 103(4), 1005-1022.