War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebration

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Overshadowed by the Revolution and Civil War, the War
of 1812 was none the less a major event in US and Canadian
history. Similar to other  early US wars, military service and
pension files and militia rolls are available, as are numerous
period newspapers and government documents.

Fought between Great Britain and the US from 1793 - 1815,
the war was largely a side result of the longer 1783 - 1815
conflict between France and Great Britain. Although the US was
neutral, both major powers seized American ships to prevent
trade with the other side.

Britain added the issue of impressments, halting US ships on
the high seas and forcing sailors to join the Royal Navy. West
of the Appalachians. Americans blamed the British Army and the Royal
Navy. But, Britain was locked in a war with Napoleonic France
and its Europeans allies, so force available for North American
services were limited.

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