As a (former) student and current teacher of US History, I view it as essentially a stalemate. I also teach that the American people could consider it a win because it reinforced their independence and because they didn't lose against the mighty British Empire (and its damn fine navy). I'd agree that the British could have won if they weren't distracted by Napoleon. LOL, France, always interfering with England's plans!
Again, although I consider it a stalemate between the US and the British Empire (and Canada!), the real losers were the Native Americans. The British won a little by keeping their territories while managing to get rid of Napoleon at the same time; the Canadians won a little by defending themselves against the US. The Americans won a little by defying the great empire once again and reaffirming their independence, as well as by ending British impressment of US sailors, ending British trade restrictions, ending the threat of any "Indian" raids and opening a path for expansion to the west. None of them really exchanged any important territories or anything.
In other words, the British Empire stayed strong, but the US was able hold their ground against the British because of the distraction of Napoleon. The war was kind of a pointless fiasco that could have been avoided through half-decent diplomacy, but it was just too soon after the Revolution. And in Hetalia terms? America and England being diplomatic together? ... Yeah.
The Americans then celebrated their survival/pseudo-"victory" with crazy westward expansion. And the Native Americans got screwed and lost their last chance of remaining even kind of autonomous. D:
Re: Author!Anon
anonymous
May 20 2011, 00:46:28 UTC
I'm so amused I stumbled on this conversation on a kink meme. I'm going to pretend my students don't read this kind of thing, even though a few of them clearly are familiar with Hetalia and giggle every time I write something about "US-UK relations" on the board and stuff. >_>;
Re: Author!Anon
anonymous
May 20 2011, 01:08:05 UTC
That's an awesome endless cycle, though! I wish I was young enough to be in school, because that would have made World History so much more interesting. God only knows what strange facts I would have included in my essays, though. XD
I agree with this. I think both sides like to consider it a victory, even though it was a big pointless waste of life that left things pretty much the same way they were before.
If you consider the fact that our (American) national anthem comes from the war of 1812, and that it's lyrics are the along the lines of "Yay we didn't die!" you can see how we painted it as a victory.
"...that our flag was still there" it's all we need to be happy.
Again, although I consider it a stalemate between the US and the British Empire (and Canada!), the real losers were the Native Americans. The British won a little by keeping their territories while managing to get rid of Napoleon at the same time; the Canadians won a little by defending themselves against the US. The Americans won a little by defying the great empire once again and reaffirming their independence, as well as by ending British impressment of US sailors, ending British trade restrictions, ending the threat of any "Indian" raids and opening a path for expansion to the west. None of them really exchanged any important territories or anything.
In other words, the British Empire stayed strong, but the US was able hold their ground against the British because of the distraction of Napoleon. The war was kind of a pointless fiasco that could have been avoided through half-decent diplomacy, but it was just too soon after the Revolution. And in Hetalia terms? America and England being diplomatic together? ... Yeah.
The Americans then celebrated their survival/pseudo-"victory" with crazy westward expansion. And the Native Americans got screwed and lost their last chance of remaining even kind of autonomous. D:
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If you consider the fact that our (American) national anthem comes from the war of 1812, and that it's lyrics are the along the lines of "Yay we didn't die!" you can see how we painted it as a victory.
"...that our flag was still there" it's all we need to be happy.
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