My Favorite War To Teach

[Kathianne]

Bi-Centennial:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/nation...c1a_story.html

D.C.’s darkest day, a war that no one remembers

On Aug. 24, 1814, the British started a fire — and ultimately kindled a capital’s future.

7 a.m., Aug. 24, 1814
The day began like so many days in Washington, with a painfully long meeting marked by confusion, misinformation and indecision.

The British were coming. They were on the march in the general direction of Washington. The precise target of the invaders remained unclear, but their intentions were surely malign.

...

[Gaffer]

It's not a widely taught war. Most people only know about the Battle of New Orleans. Lots of other battles were fought including the running battles in the retreat from Washington. James Madison was the only president to ever personally command a military unit in combat while in office. And the British were forced to withdraw from Baltimore and Washington not because of a military defeat but because of a hurricane that hit coast shortly after the invasion. That damn storm screwed up everything.

Then there was the British stirring up the Indians and the great sea battles that were fought. Two years of war and the only thing remembered is the Battle of New Orleans. Which took place after the war was officially over.

[Kathianne]

It's not a widely taught war. Most people only know about the Battle of New Orleans. Lots of other battles were fought including the running battles in the retreat from Washington. James Madison was the only president to ever personally command a military unit in combat while in office. And the British were forced to withdraw from Baltimore and Washington not because of a military defeat but because of a hurricane that hit coast shortly after the invasion. That damn storm screwed up everything.

Then there was the British stirring up the Indians and the great sea battles that were fought. Two years of war and the only thing remembered is the Battle of New Orleans. Which took place after the war was officially over.

and with the Battle of New Orleans, we get our first intro to Andrew Jackson, in the most famous battle to take place AFTER the war was over.

Yep, the war begins the rise of 'Indian problems,' and Washington DC is burned. Borders with Canada become solidified. The Navy would not be as small as in 1812 again.

[aboutime]

A FAVORITE WAR? REALLY? I know you enjoy teaching about it. BUT...FAVORITE?

[Kathianne]

A FAVORITE WAR? REALLY? I know you enjoy teaching about it. BUT...FAVORITE?

I questioned my use of that word too, but I meant to the 'teaching' not to war in particular. Even with the 'silly little war' people were killed. Nope, war is not good.

[Gaffer]

A FAVORITE WAR? REALLY? I know you enjoy teaching about it. BUT...FAVORITE?

I would say it's her favorite war to teach because it's relatively unknown except as an offshoot of the Revolutionary War. I'll let her answer for herself, but that's my guess.

[Kathianne]

I would say it's her favorite war to teach because it's relatively unknown except as an offshoot of the Revolutionary War. I'll let her answer for herself, but that's my guess.

Yep, some of our traditions were born of that war. "Star Spangled Banner," for instance.

Always kids are interested in the obscure: Treaty of Ghent returned everything to what had been before the start of the war. However, it's often referred to as 'The Second American Revolution," as the English would no longer breach our sovereignty at will.

Having been teaching this in Illinois, the kids were fascinated by a 'war' on the Great Lakes.' LOL!

[aboutime]

I questioned my use of that word too, but I meant to the 'teaching' not to war in particular. Even with the 'silly little war' people were killed. Nope, war is not good.

Kathianne. Please know, I meant no disrespect for your passion of teaching. Perhaps I should have suggested another word as well.

I fully understand, and appreciate your desire to teach what OUR PRESENT DAY educational system is failing to teach. Based on all of the new crap we hear everyday about GOVT. directing what will, and won't be taught, and the arguments taking place about it.

I salute YOU, and all teachers for doing what you do. Guess I'm just becoming an Old Fuddy Duddy about the use of the word LOVE with the word WAR.

[Trigg]

Yep, some of our traditions were born of that war. "Star Spangled Banner," for instance.

Always kids are interested in the obscure: Treaty of Ghent returned everything to what had been before the start of the war. However, it's often referred to as 'The Second American Revolution," as the English would no longer breach our sovereignty at will.

Having been teaching this in Illinois, the kids were fascinated by a 'war' on the Great Lakes.' LOL!

I think it's wonderful that you are teaching the lesser known wars. The more informed kids are the better.

[gabosaurus]

I learned about the American conflicts in school. I prefer 20th Century Europe. Much more interesting character studies.

[Kathianne]

I learned about the American conflicts in school. I prefer 20th Century Europe. Much more interesting character studies.

Which characters in Europe would you recommend be studied that aren't covered by the US curriculum?

[gabosaurus]

Which characters in Europe would you recommend be studied that aren't covered by the US curriculum?

All are covered sufficiently. I prefer to study them in greater depth. My favorite subject is WWII from the opposing point of view. How exactly did Germany get sucked into WWII? How did the everyday German live during the war years?

Most history books do not cover any of the American conflicts adequately. How many history books tell the correct story of the Spanish-American War, which was started by the U.S. Or how the U.S. lost the Viet Nam war due to inept leadership.

[Gunny]

All are covered sufficiently. I prefer to study them in greater depth. My favorite subject is WWII from the opposing point of view. How exactly did Germany get sucked into WWII? How did the everyday German live during the war years?

Most history books do not cover any of the American conflicts adequately. How many history books tell the correct story of the Spanish-American War, which was started by the U.S. Or how the U.S. lost the Viet Nam war due to inept leadership.

I'd love to have this discussion with you if you. Start another thread so we don't hijack Kathianne's.

Most Americans are not taught accurate history and I've watched it change so much that what is taught now in public school is watered-down, PC BS. I applaud any teacher that takes the time out to teach the truth. THAT is what they are there for.

[aboutime]

I'd love to have this discussion with you if you. Start another thread so we don't hijack Kathianne's.

Most Americans are not taught accurate history and I've watched it change so much that what is taught now in public school is watered-down, PC BS. I applaud any teacher that takes the time out to teach the truth. THAT is what they are there for.

Gunny. Totally agree with you. Don't want to destroy Kathianne's thread.

But..we sure can tell how Little Gabby actually knows..."How Germany got sucked into the war?"

[Gunny]

Gunny. Totally agree with you. Don't want to destroy Kathianne's thread.

But..we sure can tell how Little Gabby actually knows..."How Germany got sucked into the war?"

Like I said, that's for another thread. I love history. One of my favorite subjects. And I know it WELL, so she can go wherever she wants. She doesn't have to hijack a thread to do it.

What I didn't see mentioned is the catalyst for the War of 1812 was the British boarding US vessels and impressing its sailors.