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THE WAR OF 1812

The history of one's country begins in the heart.

Review Questions

Vocabulary:ironic, heinous, disparage, fidelity, radical, vociferous, impunity, enshrine, oligarchy, devastate, offensive, defensive, consternation, mandate, strategy, draught, garrison, swagger, emboldened, cession,

1. How can the history of one's country begin in the heart?

2. The War of 1812 was simply a continuation of the American Revolution. Discuss.

3. Each of the following events or circumstances had a part to play in the declaration of the War of 1812: (a) The Chesapeake Affair and right of search; (b) Tecumseh and settlements in the Ohio Valley; (c) the Berlin Decrees; (d) the Orders-in-Council; (e) the War Hawks. Prepare a short report on each of these topics.

4. (a) Which do you think was the most important cause of the war? (b) Is it possible to separate causes in this way?

5. Why were most American leaders so sure they would win this war?

6. Explain: (a) agrarian greed; (b) mobilized for mayhem; (c) under the British yoke; (d) the highway of nations; (e) press gangs; (f) a rogue's harbour; (g) not a proactive leader; (h) "transcontinental juggernaut called westward expansion"

7. Describe what the Americans meant when they said Aboriginals were "willing tools in the hands of England."

8. Name and explain this figure of speech: 'Canada was but a rogue's harbour'.

9. Why do you think General Prevost's wife was 'tortured with anxiety'?

10. What did Prevost mean when he said there should be "forbearance until hostilities are more decidedly marked"?

11. Explain the Greek writer Lucian's advice to historians.

12. Find and explain the metaphor that identifies the major mistake of American military leaders.

13. (a) What does 'lampoon' mean? (b) Explain: Prevost managed to 'pluck humiliation from the jaws of victory.'

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