The War of 1812 | A Discussion - Myths, Realities, and Ideals
"Don't give up the ship." "The Star-Spangled Banner." "Old Hickory." The Battle of New Orleans.
The War of 1812 gave us some of America's most enduring symbols and phrases. But did it actually change anything? The treaty that ended it resolved almost nothing. The boundaries stayed the same. Impressment wasn't even mentioned. And the greatest American victory came after the war was technically over.
So why does this "Second War of Independence" matter? Was it a pointless conflict that nearly destroyed a fragile young nation? Or the crucible that finally transformed thirteen squabbling former…
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