Thursday, January 8, 2015

1812 @ 200: The Battle of New Orleans

Battle of New Orleans, Gen. Andrew Jackson holds the American defensive line. From the Library of Congress, loc.gov
January 8, 2015 marks the 200th anniversary of the Battle of New Orleans, Louisiana. This was the last battle of the War of 1812. This was one of the biggest American victories of the war--one of the few and most important victories. News of the battle made Andrew Jackson, a rugged Tennessee general, an instant American hero. Interestingly enough, the action took place weeks after the Treaty of Ghent officially ended the war. American and British diplomats signed the treaty on Christmas Eve 1814, but word didn't reach American shores until February. Initially, most Americans believed that Jackson's victory won the war. It may have secured a peace, but didn't quite win the war. For further reading, check out this recent article.

The War of 1812 shaped the decades that shaped the decades that led up to the American Civil War. Come back here in a few days and I'll have something up on the impact of this forgotten war.

1 comment:

  1. I'm really enjoying your posts, Andrew. I'm glad you started up again!

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