Jan 19, 2012 By Jeff Maguire
EMC Lifestyle - As a history buff I am always interested in anniversaries of major events which have occurred over the course of time.
My wife and I spend a lot of time in the United Kingdom and since both of us love history it's a great destination. There are literally more historic connections around every corner in Great Britain and Continental Europe!
In terms of world history North America remains one of the new kids on the block. This continent was settled relatively recently. Although our history is intrinsically tied to that of Europe, simply because our ancestors came mainly from that continent, we can't begin to match the number of historic sites and buildings available overseas.
On the other hand our shorter history is intriguing and because it is fresh it is also relatively well documented, something that offers a huge advantage to students for instance.
Last spring I wrote a column to coincide with the opening shots of the American Civil War fired 150 years earlier. The Sesquicentennial of the conflict between North and South is being observed over the course of four years, ending in April 2015.
The Civil War began with the shelling (by Confederate artillery) of Union-held Fort Sumter in the harbor of Charleston, South Carolina, April 12, 1861. It ended almost exactly four years later when Confederate General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Union General Ulysses S. Grant at Appomattox Court House, Virginia on April 9, 1865.
The Americans are marking the Sesquicentennial with a variety of events which will continue until the anniversary of the surrender more than three years from now.
The year that just dawned marks the Bicentennial (200th anniversary) of yet another four-year long war which, although it involved the United States, was far more significant to Canada and Canadians. The 'War of 1812' was the last war ever fought between our neighbouring countries although, officially, Canada didn't become an independent nation until 55 years later.
I can't profess to be extremely knowledgeable about the War of 1812 although I probably possess far more background than most Canadians. My mother grew up in Stoney Creek, Ontario near Hamilton and some of the most significant fighting of the war occurred in the Niagara region. Very early in life I learned about Major General Isaac Brock and the Battle of Queenston Heights. It's a lesson which has stuck with me through my life.
For the record that particular conflict, the first major battle of the war, occurred on Oct. 13, 1812 at Queenston, five kilometres from Niagara Falls. It was a British victory, but Brock was one of more than 120 (from both sides) who died during the fighting.
Brock's monument, a landmark at Queenston, is getting a facelift for the Bicentennial.
MAJOR EVENT
Not surprisingly the Canadian government is putting a major emphasis on this particular anniversary. They want us to remember and honour how Canadians from diverse backgrounds and various regions came together to fight and ensure the eventual independent destiny of this country.
The truth is that if the War of 1812 (it lasted until 1815) had not ended in victory for the British and their allies, Canada would not exist. The objective of the Americans was to defeat the same enemy they had beaten in the Revolutionary War. To me it stands to reason they would then have expanded into what remained of British North America (Upper and Lower Canada). Eventually it's almost certain Americans would have colonized the remainder of what is now this country.
So, a significant anniversary indeed!
Personally I believe in "fighting" one battle at a time. So no, I won't be railing against the education system for failing to teach our young people details of the War of 1812. To be honest I'm not sure how much - or how little - of this particular chapter in Canadian history is being taught in our schools?
On the other hand I would consider it a major victory if the system did a better job of teaching the more recent history of the two world wars. The wars of the 20th Century, after all, impacted on many Canadians who are still living. Yet recent polls show the majority of young Canadians know little or nothing about wars which shaped the modern world they now live in. This general lack of knowledge is a national disgrace in my opinion!
Most Canadians will also tell you that we have been fortunate "never to have a major war fought on our soil."
I think it's a matter of definition.
In modern times at least our country and our continent have been fortunate to avoid the direct impact of war. But with so many Canadian lives sacrificed during the wars of the 20th Century it would be very wrong to say "we escaped the effects of war."
As for the War of 1812, Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his government are definitely taking the anniversary seriously.
A significant budget of $28 million has been put in place and will be used over the course of the next four years. Included in the War of 1812 project is an educational campaign (something I welcome), the re-enactment of historic battles, festivals centred on the war as well as a permanent memorial which will be erected in the Ottawa region.
In addition infrastructure work, including upgrades to historic forts which played a role in the conflict and existing memorials (including Brock's monument) will be undertaken.
Plans also call for the issuance of stamps and coins to mark the Bicentennial of the war.
In a statement late last year Harper said the war was instrumental in establishing Canada's military. He noted that many militia regiments still in existence in Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes can trace their roots back to the War of 1812.
"The war helped establish our path toward becoming an independent and free country, united under the Crown with a respect for linguistic and ethnic diversity," Harper says.
"The heroic efforts of Canadians then helped define who we are today, what side of the border we live on and which flag we salute," the PM states.
There is no doubt that despite the fact it wasn't a major conflict by world standards, the War of 1812 had a huge impact on our country from military, political and cultural points of view. The result helped lay the foundation for Canadian Confederation in 1867, not to mention Canada's border with the U.S. The imaginary line we like to call "the longest undefended border in the world."
Clearly it wasn't always so!
The Rideau Canal, now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was built by Colonel John By (the founder of Ottawa) and the Royal Engineers, for defensive purposes. Opened in 1832 it was constructed as a precaution to facilitate the movement of troops and supplies in the event of another war with the Americans. Hostility simmered long after the War of 1812 but, fortunately, gradually faded into the excellent relationship our two countries enjoy today. We are long-time allies - friends and trading partners.
But what of Canada's "victory" in the War of 1812?
A number of American states, including neighbouring New York, are also holding commemorations. In Sackett's Harbor, N.Y., just west of Watertown, plans call for a memorial to be erected to mark the deaths of some 30 British and Canadian troops who died during what is known as the "Second Battle of Sackett's Harbor." It occurred on May 29, 1813 and ended in a victory for the Americans. They repulsed a British-led force who tried to capture the village. For the record, the first battle of Sackett's Harbor was a naval engagement in Lake Ontario on July 19, 1812.
There's never been any doubt on our side of the border about who won the war. The Americans on the other hand have long been reticent on the subject.
In November, during the lead-up to the anniversary year, a professor at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore (Maryland is one of the states marking the anniversary), launched a new book entitled 'Conquered Into Liberty'.
Eliot Cohen, a senior advisor to former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, says in his book that, "ultimately Canada and Canadians won the War of 1812." But he also acknowledges that, "Americans at the time and, by and large, since, did not see matters that way."
In the book Cohen argues that if the conquest of Canada was not the American goal when the war began in 1812 "it surely had become such shortly after it opened."
The author points to the successful fight staged by British, English and French speaking Canadians and their First Nations allies against what he calls "an invasion."
Cohen observes, "Not only did the colony (Canada) remain intact: It had acquired heroes, British and French, and a narrative of plucky defence against foreign invasion that helped carry it to nationhood."
A pretty stark admission coming from an American!
To me those thoughts help underline our government's position that Canadians should take part in the important commemorations which will occur over the next four years. Some of those observances will take place right here in Eastern
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