Introduction
The War of 1812, between the United States and Great Britain, is one of those events that determined the future of both countries. Many battles, both at sea and on land, were fought between the USA and the British Empire (Dudley 3). However, attention should also be paid to the Native Americans who played significant roles in the war’s causes, the battles, and the outcomes. The main problem of their participation was the systematic marginalization and displacement of indigenous communities. Due to the differences in understanding the causes of the war, some native tribes allied with both the United States government and the United Kingdom.
Causes of the War
To better understand the events of the war, it will be helpful to realize what preceded it. It is worth noting that this is not the first conflict between the United States and Great Britain. Before signing the Declaration of Independence, there were also confrontations between the two countries (Headley 49). After its completion, the United States began active colonization, including the lands of indigenous peoples in America.
The War of 1812-1815 was preceded by two events, which must be considered. They assume a clash between the American and British fleets. The first occurred in 1807 and was named the Chesapeake-Leopard affair in honor of the ships (Gaudencio 31).
The second battle, the Little Belt Affair, occurred in 1811 between the fleets and was won by the American frigate USS President (Gaudencio 34). The commander of the English frigate was Arthur Bingham (Roosevelt 18). When asked if he started shooting first, he said no. Both events in the United States led to a desire to declare war on Britain.
Significant events are also worth noting, including the Battle of Bladensburg in 1814, in which the British army defeated the Maryland and Virginia militia (Headley 45). Another critical situation was the burning of Washington, because as a result of their victory, the British burned many buildings in Washington, D.C., including the Capitol Building itself.
Native Americans and Their Roles
The primary cause for the native Americans to conduct a war on the side of Great Britain and its allies was the understanding of the unfairness and cruelty of the U.S. government’s expansion. Moreover, native tribes realized that further expansion would not be easy but would be supported by various injustices towards them (Horsman 13). Consequently, as a significant problem, some Native Americans decided to fight against the U.S. while seeking help from Great Britain to save their lands. Shawnee, under the leadership of Tecumseh and his brother Tenskwatawa, who made alliances with the British, can be cited as an example of these people. The purpose of such alliances was to preserve their way of life, which was threatened by an American invasion.
On the other hand, other tribes were sure of their place in the United States Army. For example, the Choctaw and Cherokee decided to join the Americans, hoping to protect their interests through diplomacy and cooperation. Their goal was also to preserve territory and land, but their alliances with the US were fraught with problems stemming from broken promises. There were also neutral Indian ethnic groups who tried to cope with the challenges of war without getting involved in the conflict. However, they became enemies of both the Americans and the British, which led to internal problems.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the War of 1812 divided Native American tribes into two groups. Some decided to fight against the U.S. government, and others supported it. However, major battles, such as the Battle of the Canadian border and the Little Bighorn Affair, significantly influenced the war’s outcomes. This historical event is an excellent example of how native people can be divided over a single issue.
Works Cited
Dudley, William. Inside the US Navy of 1812–1815. Johns Hopkins University Press, 2021.
Gaudencio, Moises. In the Words of Wellington’s Fighting Cocks: The After-action Reports of the Portuguese Army During the Peninsular War 1812–1814. Pen & Sword Books, 2021.
Headley, Joel. The War of 1812. E-artnow, 2020.
Horsman, Reginald. The Causes of the War of 1812. Papamoa Press, 2018.
Roosevelt, Theodore. The Naval War of 1812. Library of Alexandria, 2020.