Series: “The Luxuriant Shoots of Our Tree of Liberty:” American Maritime Experience in the War of 1812

Thomas Jefferson was never more wrong. In late June 1812 he wrote to his friend Thaddeus Kosciuszko that no war had been "entered into under more favorable auspices" and that "[o]ur present enemy will have the seas to herself, while we shall be equally predominant at land, and shall strip her of all her possessions on this continent." The American army quickly experienced a series of horrendous reverses, while the navy gained triumph after triumph.

• Article 1: A tonic for national pride: Early triumphs of the super-frigates

  

  Thomas Jefferson was never more wrong. In late June 1812 he wrote to his friend Thaddeus Kosciuszko that no war had been “entered into under more favorable auspices” and that “[o]ur present enemy will have the seas to herself, while we shall be equally predominant at land, and shall strip her of all her possessions on this continent.” Read more

• Article 2: Rock stars of the early Republic: Culture of heroism on the high seas

  

  American naval victories in the War of 1812 are most commonly associated with the six super frigates such as the USS Constitution and USS United States that represented the highest level of naval technology available at the time. But American triumphs occurred with smaller ships as well. Read more

• Perry's Victory & International Peace Memorial

  Article 3: The enemy is ours: American freshwater victories turn the tide of war

  

  If the ocean-going navy buoyed American confidence and patriotism with its victories in salt water, the navy’s performance on fresh water altered the outcome of the war. The Great Lakes were vital arteries to transport men and supplies for the armies of the time. Neither side could prosecute a major land invasion without first securing one or more of the Great Lakes. Read more

• Article 4: The influence of different motives: Establishing a tradition of excellence

  

  Americans had reason to cheer the officers and crews of their navy. Although there had been a Continental Navy during the Revolutionary War, the US government had sold its last ship during the 1780s and did not create a new navy until 1794. Read more

• Article 5: Cruising for dollars: Privateers in the world of 1812

  

  Although “Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights” is often touted as the motivation for sailors to go to war, there were also mercenary motives. Read more

• Article 6: "Luxuriant Shoots of Liberty:" The promise of freedom on the seas

  

  Both privateers and American naval vessels had crews that included white and black Americans as well as men from other countries. Some were experienced sailors; others were “green” landsmen. Aboard ship there was a rough equality among seamen with African Americans living and serving next to European Americans. Ashore, however, racial prejudice persisted. Read more