The War of 1812 Results of the War

While Great Britain saw the war as merely being a burden, Canada felt that they were fighting for life and liberty. The War of 1812 had done more in bringing together those of Anglo-American and French origin. It also improved the logistics in Canada a few years after the war ended. One thing that the war failed to do was dealing with the manpower problem. During the war, the Canadian militia was able to play a large role in the defense of Canada. Unfortunately, Canadians took this to an extreme believing that the militia was solely responsible for saving the country. This lead to a myth which caused Canada to fail in making much needed changes in their militia. With an exception to this one setback, the War of 1812 had a strong effect in strengthening Canada.

In the United States, the war had economic and political effects, as well as effects on their militia. Although the war caused alot of changes, one thing remained the same: American attitudes toward war. Individualism continued to be a basic trait in the character of Americans. Americans could not see the point in changing their militia system. Even the defeats which they experienced during the war failed to bring them to the realization that their militia was inadequate. In support of their failure to take notice of the manpower problem, the political leaders at the time acknowledged that the social as well as political conditions of the country created limitations on what could have been done about the manpower problem. Although nothing was done in changing the manpower policy, there was a major reorganization in changing the administrative system. The army no longer had to depend on only a Secretary. Instead, there was an army general staff which was formed, as well as a board of navy commissioners. The system was also reformed in it's accountability of the army and the navy. In addition to these changes, was the development of scientific engineering. During the campaign of 1814, the West Point engineers were able to double the capacity of the small American army with their system of fortifications. After the war ended, West Point influenced the education in engineering throughout the nineteenth century.

The economic effects from the war were much greater than those from the militia. Although there was a blockade during the war, after it was lifted, many of the United States products including rice, cotton, tobacco, and grain were rushed to Europe. There were three other factors which added to the growth of manufacturers both during and after the war. Included in this was a long list of techonological developments including the spinning jenny, the cording machine, the steam engine, automatic milling machinery, the slide lathe, better casting methods, as well as the concept of the assembly line and interchangeable parts. The second advantage was that the demand as well as the prices for these finished products increased dramatically by dropping imports and the incereasing needs of the war effort. The third factor which added to the growth was the capital that flooded into New England. This money somehow found its way to profitable manufacturers who used the money well. All these factors from the War of 1812 led to an economic boom in the United States.

The political effects were just as important as the economic effects. The War of 1812 led to the ruin of the Federalist party, which was due to there opposition of the war. This lead to one party being in control in 1816. The Jeffersonians saw this as being an advantage, but in the end it led to the exposure of the internal weaknesses of the Jeffersonian system. The Jeffersonians, in general, believed that a war would bring on a strong army and navy, high taxes, a bureaucracy, manufacturing, and industrial cities. They wished to avoid this at all costs. As a result, they were split apart into two categories. The old Jeffersonians hated war and avoided it as long as they could, while the new generation of republicans began to question what the old Jeffersonians thought. Even Jefferson himself, began to change his train of though. He decided that an equilibrium between agriculture, manufactures, and commerce might be a good thing. Even with this division, the postwar Republicans continuely passed a majority of the same laws including high tariffs of the war period, establishing a second national bank, and providing for certain internal improvements. These laws which were passed were an indication of nationalism, which was planted firmly enough that it would not be taken away so easily. These political effects had a larger impact than anything else on the United States.

The War of 1812 had such a great effect on the United States that is sometimes referred to as the Second War of American Independence. This did not refer to Great Britain attempting to gain control of the United States, instead, it marked the end of the United States dependence on Europe. Great Britain fully accepted American independence. 1815 was marked as a turning point. Before, American foreign relations were conditioned by the shifting power structure and the almost continuous wars in Europe. After the year 1815, the United States could choose war or peace according to its interests.