Historical society dives into War of 1812, causes

If it weren’t for Napoleon Bonaparte, Fort Amanda might never been constructed.

Steven Pedler, a professor at Wright State University, emphasized the struggles of both Britain and

France in the early 1800s during an Auglaize County Historical Society-sponsored presentation on the cause of the War of 1812 and Ohio’s main concerns during the war.

The presentation, which saw more than 500 viewers, briefly touched on Fort Amanda in Auglaize County.

The presentation was part “Ohio Open Doors,” which runs through Sunday and invites residents to take a selfie at the park and, using 50 words or fewer to tell people why it is their favorite spot at the fort. Prizes will be awarded to those 13 and under and 14

and above.

The War of 1812 pitted Great Britain against the United States; neither wanted to fight and yet it happened. There was lingering resentment from the end of the Revolutionary War and at the same time the British were fighting the French.

The war happened because of British unwillingness to address grievances including British support for Native American raiders, competition in the fur trade and an expansionist sentiment in Congress.

The British blocked American shipments from traveling to Europe and Americans felt they had no choice but to go to war to resolve those issues.

The British Royal Navy practiced “impressment,” or forcing American merchant sailors to serve in the British Royal Navy. Pedler said the British Navy had a voracious need for crew because of its size and ongoing war with France. The British also frequently seized American merchant vessels in the early 1800s while they were trading with France.

Britain and France were almost always at war during this time period and after the battle of Trafalgar in 1805 the British had the naval superiority to make these seizures.

Pedler blamed the Royal Navy’s need for manpower on the Napoleonic wars.

The Embargo Act of 1807 was passed in the United States in response to British aggression and forbade any U.S. vessel from visiting foreign ports without presidential approval. Pedler said the law was unpopular and caused the value of imports and exports to decline.

In Ohio, settlers were concerned with Native American tribes. In November 1791, warriors from several tribes — including the Miami and Shawnee — destroyed an army of more than 1,200 soldiers in Mercer County who were commanded by General Arthur St. Clair.

Pedler said it was a large military blow to the United States, noting there were fears the British government was arming the Native Americans or paying them for the scalps of American settlers. He said those fears weren’t based in truth.

In 1810, the U.S. offered to restore trade to Britain and France as long as each respected their neutrality rights and ceased hostile action.

President James Madison announced a state of war as relations hit a new low and Britain had no incentive to negotiate. Pedler said the opinion in Congress was divided.

Many state militias refused to serve outside their state and the

U.S. Army had only 12,000 men.

The assumption was that militias would participate in the event of war. The U.S. Navy, although capable, was outnumbered more than five to one.

The U.S. attempted to invade British territory in Canada in 1812, which was described as a disaster. Pedler said British and Native American forces at times threatened Detroit. An Ohio militia of 1,200 men had marched north to invade Ontario and eventually had to surrender Detroit to the British, Canadian and Native American troops. Brigadier General William Hull was deceived by forces into thinking he was outnumbered.

Pedler said the tide of the war turned in the American’s favor in 1813 with General William Henry Harrison. Fort Meigs was successfully defended and an attack on Fort Stephenson was also repulsed.

Oliver Hazard Perry defeated the British at the battle of Lake Erie and in October 1813, at the Battle of Thames, Shawnee leader Tecumseh was killed by the U.S. military. Pedler said this eliminated the threat of the Shawnee to Ohioans.

The Treaty of Ghent, signed Dec. 24, 1814, restored the status quo and military forces withdrew to their respective territories.

Fort Amanda was abandoned after the war but is commemorated with historical markers.