War Experience
Britain waged a successful defensive war against the United States while Halifax and Quebec, the keys to Canada’s defence, were never seriously threatened by American attack.
Quebec City
The United States could not defeat Britain in North America without capturing Quebec City.
Formidable Defences
View from Near the Officer Barracks, Citadel, Quebec-Cap Tourment, Island of Orleans, 1840
Watercolour by Millicent Mary Chaplin, 1840 Library and Archives Canada, 1956-62-13
Quebec City Militia Officer’s Coat
Quebec City Militia Officer’s Coat
CWM 19790001-006
Halifax
Halifax, Nova Scotia provided an essential base of operations for the Royal Navy in North American waters.
Halifax Mortar
Halifax Mortar
CWM 19430003-001
India Pattern Musket
Flintlock Musket, India Pattern
CWM 19770467-011
Taking the War to America
While the British Army defended Canada, the Royal Navy sought to force the United States to end the war by blockading the American coast and conducting amphibious raids.
Blockading the Coast
HMS Shannon Leading Her Prize the American Frigate Chesapeake into Halifax Harbour
Lithograph by John Christian Schetky, around 1830 Library and Archives Canada, 1970-188-1937
Amphibious Raids
Admiral Cockburn Burning and Plundering Havre de Grace on 1st June, 1813
Artist unknown Anne S. K. Brown Military Collection, Brown University Library, Providence, Rhode Island
The British–American Peace
For Britain, the war ended successfully with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent.
The Treaty of Ghent
A Hundred Years Peace. The Signature of the Treaty of Ghent between Great Britain and the United States of America, Dec. 24th 1814
Print by Amédée Forestier, 1914 Library and Archives Canada, 1993-275-1