American perspective

During the war of 1812, we are taught the reasons we fought. Why the Americans needed to be defeated, and why we were superior. We have a self-centered focus on all of our history. It normally depicts as right, and the opposing force is making the mistake, not us. We can not do bad, unless it is covering inter nation issues. Such as mistreating first nations, and immigrants. That we have learned we have to tell the truth, but vs. other countries, we are always right. If you sat in a american classroom and learned about 1812, it would be depicted very differently. it would probably look a lot more like they are doing the right thing, fighting for their countries land, and trading. We are told that the Americans want out land, which is true, but not are only motivation. They were also looking trading routes to Europe.

The Americans wanted to do over sea trading, but have already burnt bridges with Britain. (solid pun right there, burnt bridges, overseas, classic) Britain controls most of the water ways and america wanted to get through. The easiest way to hit Britain, attack Canada. In the end this did not work because Canada actually held its ground this was one of the few times America actually didn't win a war. The treaty of Ghent had nothing in it about maritime issues, so it is often not discussed but most scholars agree they believe that was indeed a motive.

During this time Britain was also facing the Napoleonic wars, while also battling with the Americans in the new world. The U.S. also had to deal with the native Americans, battling for there own land. not wanting to lose the great lakes, Alabama or Michigan. When reading up on important 1812 battles for Americans,they do not have the same ones a Canada view. Many are even including the British, they focus on the native Americans and the land the fought for with them. Also most are on american soil. From what I'm reading they don't actually associate the war to Canada. while at the time we weren't a country, and Britain did most of the fighting. But I'm sure those people that fought probably became Canadians, and it is all whats now Canada. Former president Obama even said "It's now been 200 years since the British came here to the White House under somewhat different circumstances. They made quite an impression. They really lit the place up! But we moved on." The British prime minister was in town when he made that remark, but I'm sure Canadians have been in the white house and they made no such remarks.

In the end both countries teach that they were superior, and had there motives, and they were the good guy. Which is sometimes right, sometimes wrong, nut for the most part neither side had to many differences in battle stories, just details.
 Websites of use:
http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812/essays/american-perspective/
https://www.thespec.com/news-story/2167359-the-u-s-perspective-on-the-war-of-1812/