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Introduction
In 1783, the American War of Independence ended with the creation of a new sovereign nation, the United States of America. Peace was short-lived, however, as zealous statesmen in Washington were itching to see revolution sweep on through Europe’s monarchies and across Britain’s Empire – especially Canada.
FROM 1803 onwards, Britain and all Europe was embroiled in an ongoing conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte, the ambitious French Emperor. Some in the newly-formed United States of America sympathised with Napoleon, seeing his campaign against the crowned heads of Europe as similar to America’s war of independence from Britain.*
Britain’s war with Napoleon was also affecting the Americans directly. Press-gangs had been boarding American ships and rounding up allegedly British crew members for service in the Royal Navy, and American merchant ships attempting to break London’s wartime blockade of French ports had been impounded.*
Yet there was more to it than this. Washington’s thirst for the spread of republicanism extended not just to the states of Europe, but to Canada. The precise border with Canada had never been agreed, and to leading war-hawk Thomas Jefferson and President James Madison the conditions seemed ideal for extending America’s new world order into Britain’s back yard.*
“Napoleon” wrote historian Arthur Granville Bradley in 1923 “to the war-party was a demi-god.” Bradley blamed this on a deep-seated ignorance of European history and peoples among the pro-war party in Washington. It is certainly perplexing: far from spreading republicanism and liberty, Napoleon (himself a crowned head) was annexing state after European state for his French Empire and installing his relatives as client kings over the conquered peoples; on June 24th, 1812, he began his campaign to conquer Imperial Russia. See Retreat from Moscow. See also Faraday al Fresco, which tells how Sir Humphry Davy, Michael Faraday, some Italian rebels and an aggrieved Russian tourist gathered on Mount Vesuvius to make their own protest.
As it happened, Britain’s new Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool, wanted better relations with the USA and had cancelled the Orders in Council that allowed the Royal Navy to impound US merchant ships. But the news of Americans’ declaration of war reached Canada faster than news of Britain’s policy shift reached Washington.
Thomas Jefferson (1743-1826) was President of the USA from 1801 to 1809, and James Madison (1751-1836) followed him in the office, serving as President between 1809 and 1817. It was the Jeffersonians who had wanted the USA to build a ‘special relationship’ with post-revolutionary France — until George Washington stopped them. See The ‘Jay Treaty’. Not one member of the opposition Federalist Party voted for ‘Mr Madison’s War’ in the debate in Congress, and no American declaration of war has been ratified by so small a majority in a formal Congressional vote.
Précis
During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain not only blockaded French ports and seized American merchant ships attempting to break through, but press-ganged American sailors into the Royal Navy. In 1812, the government of the new-minted USA responded by launching an invasion of Canada, hoping to spread republicanism to her northern neighbour. (50 / 60 words)
During the Napoleonic Wars, Britain not only blockaded French ports and seized American merchant ships attempting to break through, but press-ganged American sailors into the Royal Navy. In 1812, the government of the new-minted USA responded by launching an invasion of Canada, hoping to spread republicanism to her northern neighbour.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 55 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 45 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: besides, despite, if, may, ought, since, until, who.
Word Games
Sevens Based on this passage
Suggest answers to this question. See if you can limit one answer to exactly seven words.
Variations: 1.expand your answer to exactly fourteen words. 2.expand your answer further, to exactly twenty-one words. 3.include one of the following words in your answer: if, but, despite, because, (al)though, unless.
Jigsaws Based on this passage
Express the ideas below in a single sentence, using different words as much as possible. Do not be satisfied with the first answer you think of; think of several, and choose the best.
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