The War of 1812 is known as the second war of independence. The war was a conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain. It started in 1812 and lasted until the spring of 1815.The War of 1812 was a war that neither side won. The war took place because of many different causes. Some of the causes were the impressment of sailors, boundary problems, the Warhawks, and the British supplying the Ohio Country Indians with weapons and supplies. .
Henry Clay, who was the leader of the Warhawks, convinced Americans that defeating British North America, "is only a matter of marching." He knew that Britain would not have any troops to spare because of their involvement in the Napoleonic Wars. Soon after the outbreak of the war, the British forces on St. Joseph's Island moved toward the American held Mackinac Island and the next morning were in position on the hill above the fort with cannons and muskets aimed down into it. The American commander, Lieutenant Porter Hanks, immediately surrendered. Lieutenant Hanks was not even warned by his own government that they declared war. .
Americans began to worry about the exposed fort of Detroit. The U.S. quickly dispatched General William Hull with reinforcements to the fort. In July, General Hull decided to cross the Detroit River into Upper Canada. His militia was poorly equipped, so when Hull learned of an approaching force made up of British troops, Canadian militia, and native Americans, he quickly retreated back to Detroit. General Isaac Brock led the British units. Brock took his army on the offensive and followed Hull back to Detroit. Brock's intentions were to secure the western frontier for the British. In the battle of Detroit he was able to take control over Detroit without firing a single shot. Now the British controlled the entire northern and western frontiers. .
In October, the Americans made second attempt to invade Canada, this time on the Niagara frontier in Montreal.
