The role and effects of the war of 1812 on Michigan

The encounter took place between the United States of America and the United Kingdom and lasted from 1812 to 1815. The United States had decided to challenge the world’s greatest maritime supremacy at that time, Great Britain, into a conquest that ultimately had a remarkable effect on its future. The causes of the conflict varied and included Great Britain’s attempts to impose restrictions on the United States’ trade escapades, America’s aspiration to expand and develop its territories and the Royal Navy of Great Britain’s influence on seamen from America.
During the war, America underwent defeats at the hands of the British and their allies at the time. The British Empire took over the country’s central capital, Washington D.C, and burnt it to the ground in August 1814. Apparently, the approval of the Treaty of Ghent on 1815 led to the conclusion of the vicious conflict. The victory was celebrated as a second war of independence by Americans which resulted in the establishment of the biased treaties and national pride. (Hitsman 357)

Despite the events that took place in the aftermath of the war, it played a role and had effects on some states for example Michigan. For instance, the British Empire invaded the great lake region of Michigan and used it as the base for fighting the war. Individuals from the state served as infantry and members of the armed forces as the war commenced. Furthermore, the war witnessed the alliance of the British and Natives with a common agenda of defeating Americans and gaining control of the colonies at the time.

The collaboration took place throughout the 18th century and early 19th century whereby the parties involved had a mutual benefit and desire of defeating the opponents. It led to the control of the Michigan territory and upper Mississippi by the British dynasty. They utilised the advantage of strategic positioning to attack other states in the country which resulted in the invasion of Washington, Newyork, and Baltimore among others but the Americans retaliated and succeeded in suppressing the British. (Gilpin and Brian 234-249)
The war had a variety of effects on the parties involved. For instance, the British Empire took over Michigan and had total control of the state. They were accountable for its activities and made decisions of how to appropriately administer it. Due to the proceedings of war and its outcome, individuals were killed or fled from Michigan and led to de-population a factor that had a negative impact on the United States because it had lost administration of the state to Great Britain. The conflict resulted in a tremendous decline of the economy in Michigan like most states because a significant amount of capital was used to fund the war.
In conclusion, it led to the destruction of land, properties, and structures throughout Michigan and rendered the state unsuitable for production and development. Fishing that was one of the major economic activities in Michigan at the time declined because individuals abandoned their resources and facilities and fled for safety. The British soldiers raided homes and destroyed settlements in the state a factor that left most civilians homeless and incapable of fending for themselves. After the war the damage caused was tremendous and that motivated individuals from Michigan to have prospects of development. Afterwards, they began implementing developmental schemes that led to the growth Michigan into a prosperous state.
References
Gilpin, Alec R, and Brian L. Dunnigan. The War of 1812 in the Old Northwest. 234-249 East Lansing: Michigan State University Press, 2012. Print.
Hitsman, J. Mackay. “The Incredible War of 1812”: A Military History. 357 Robin Brass Studio, 1999.