War of 1812 "Controversial Topics"?

Photo taken by Gary McWilliams/Ontario Visited
"A Blurred Vision"
Article written and submitted by Judi McWilliams
War of 1812 Celebrations Website

Through our War of 1812 Celebrations website, I have been reporting about the War of 1812 … writing articles, doing research, and posting article Blog’s with interesting interviews leaders/experts/historians/re-enactors. While visiting the internet and reading other articles posted, I have found that for each article that appears on the internet, there is quite often a subsequent article with a diametric “opinion” about the historical articles written, thus resulting in controversial topics. As you know, I reported in the past about this exact issue stating that the word “NOTION” suites this situation well. The definition of NOTION:  “INSIGHT, COMPREHENSION, CONCEPT, ASSUMPTIONS, IMPRESSION, KNOWLEDGE, JUDGEMENT, OPINION, YOUR UNDERSTANDING.” There are articles and stories that are compelling, interesting, and controversial to some. As we continue to write about the War of 1812 and in particular the Bicentennial Celebrations, I am going to report on Expert's opinions/notions as to their thoughts about these “controversies”. I was concerned that we might “offend” some of our War of 1812 Celebrations website readers, but now I think that the conversation is worth the debate. My next writings will be about some of the Expert's opinions/notions as to their thoughts about these ongoing “Controversial issues” … “Are they even Controversial?!”… and … “Just who do you think/feel you are offending?!”

I will continue to research information on this topic,taking about the "controversy", including a story about John Norton. Is he a true "forgotten War of 1812 Hero" or "that he was somewhat divisive" and not to others.

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 - "Big in Canada"?

Photo taken by Gary McWilliams
Reenactment Wasaga Under Seige 2011
"Capturing History in Time" ...
War of 1812 Article submitted by Judi McWilliams
Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations

Part 3 ....

This is my final except is from an article posted in the SalemNews.com, submitted October 1, 2011 by David M. Shribman, a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. I still welcome people to submit to our War of 1812 Celebrations website their “NOTION”. Your Notion being:  your “INSIGHT, COMPREHENSION, CONCEPT, ASSUMPTIONS, IMPRESSION, KNOWLEDGE, JUDGEMENT, OPINION, YOUR UNDERSTANDING”.

excerpt ... "Big In Canada" ... "The normal discourse in Canada is anti-American," he says. "It's a secular religion, and this is the only acceptable form of bigotry in Canada. So when we have a chance to get up on our high horse and be self-righteous and say we whipped the United States, we'll do so. It doesn't mean more than one Canadian in a hundred knows a thing about the war. They don't. Usually we have a moral superiority. This time we have 200-years'-old military superiority."

But few people on this side of the 49th parallel are likely to notice.

"Americans are not exactly fascinated with the War of 1812," says Richard J. Finch, director of the Fort Meigs State Memorial in Perrysburg, Ohio, the largest reconstructed War of 1812 site in the country. "It's sandwiched between the American Revolution and the Civil War, so it tends to get neglected." The only people in the United States unabashedly excited about this event are Navy officials, who are planning events in New Orleans, New York, Norfolk, Va., Baltimore, Boston, Chicago — and Toronto.

The war ended in a draw, but the contest to conduct the most comprehensive commemoration isn't even close. The Canadians have appropriated millions, the Americans hardly anything. At this rate, the Canadians will appropriate the war entirely, at least for the next several years. Which brings us to a lesson for our time: Even forgotten wars can be lost 200 years later.”

David M. Shribman, a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.”

War of 1812 "Big in Canada?"

Photo taken by Gary McWilliams
Reenactment Wasaga Under Seige 2011
War of 1812 Article submitted by Judi McWilliams
Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Celebrations

Part 2:

As the War of 1812 Bicentennial year has started, I am continuing to share some of the “stories” and bring some “important issues” for you to consider. The following except is from an article posted in the SalemNews.com, submitted October 1, 2011 by David M. Shribman, a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“David Shribman: War of 1812: Still big in Canada, not so much here”

"Along with the Korean War, the War of 1812, which most Americans remember dimly as being about impressment on the high seas and freedom of movement on the Great Lakes, is often called the Forgotten War.

It is sad that Americans are so forgetful, for this conflict, which lasted roughly two and a half years, gave the United States its national anthem and its national identity, cemented in large measure the nation's cultural and geographical boundaries, ushered in 200 years of peace with Britain and Canada, made the White House white and provided us with durable heroes such as Andrew Jackson, William Henry Harrison, Zachary Taylor, Oliver Hazard Perry and Tecumseh.

It ended in virtual stalemate — no side lost substantial territory except, of course, the Indians — and was a decidedly mixed experience for Americans, whose generals were execrable, whose militia didn't fight well and whose twin theories of warfare (that the French Canadians would rush to the U.S. side and that Canada would collapse into American arms) were ludicrous.

"The acquisition of Canada this year, as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching," wrote Thomas Jefferson, then out of office, "and will give us experience for the attack of Halifax the next and the final expulsion of England from the American continent." Maybe Jefferson wasn't a genius after all.

At the same time, however, the American Navy excelled, forcing the British to lose whole squadrons, which had rarely happened before. American naval prowess on the Great Lakes is still the stuff of legend, as is the old warship, the USS Constitution, known then and now as Old Ironsides.

But from the viewpoint of Canada, whose War of 1812 heroes are Isaac Brock and Laura Secord, the conflict is a different matter altogether, remembered for its glorious victories over American invaders.

"Thus the war that was supposed to attach the British North American colonies to the United States accomplished exactly the opposite," the late Canadian historian Pierre Berton wrote in his two-volume history of the conflict. "It ensured that Canada would never become a part of the Union to the south. Because of it, an alternative form of democracy grew out of the British colonial oligarchy in the northern half of the continent."

(To Be Continued)

War of 1812 "Big in Canada?" ...

Photo taken by Gary McWilliams

Reenactment 2011 Wasaga Under Seige

War of 1812 article submitted by

Judi McWilliams

Ontario Visited/War of 1812 Bicentennial

As the War of 1812 Bicentennial year has started, I wanted to share some of the “stories” and bring some “important issues” for you to consider. The following except is from an article posted in the SalemNews.com, submitted October 1, 2011 by David M. Shribman, a North Shore native and Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist, is executive editor of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette.

“David Shribman: War of 1812: Still big in Canada, not so much here”

“FORT ERIE, Ontario — The deficit remains a threat to the United States, economic crises persist in Europe, two wars rage halfway around the world, and the Republicans are beginning to focus on their nomination fight. So you have ample reason not to feel guilty about not having focused on this urgent question that the United States, Canada and Great Britain face next year: What is the best way to commemorate the 200th anniversary of the War of 1812?

This may not be the best time to plan a war commemorative. The U.S. is marking the 150th anniversary of the Civil War, which will consume five years and already has attracted considerable attention. Seven years ago the attempt to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the French and Indian War was a dud. There's not a huge appetite for yet another set of commemorative books, historical novels, re-enactments and school dioramas.

But this landmark will not go away, and embedded in this anniversary are several sticky questions, such as: How does Canada celebrate its victories over American invaders without alienating its biggest trading partner? How does the U.S. approach a war in which its principal adversary, Great Britain, is now one of its closest friends? And do the British pause to mark this event at all, given that for them it was but a brief, minor sideshow in the far more important Napoleonic Wars?”

(To Be Continued)

The Importance of Living History

Judi McWilliams
Behind the Lens
Ontario Visited
War of 1812 Celebrations

I will continue this Blog while on my quest to understand why History, the War of 1812 and “living history” is so important. Over the course of last year I asked several leaders, experts, re-enactors why they felt “living history” was important. Some of the responses have enlightened me and may be interesting to you also. The following are partial excerpts from Blog interviews posted in the past on our War of 1812 Celebrations website.

Zackery Caron, High School Student, Cobourg …“When I am reenacting, I don’t really try to be “in character”, it just kind of happens. When you dress up and stand and walk as a unit, it just kind of happens! I did notice the crowds at the beach reenactment; (I and another who were injured) were encouraged to interact with the crowd.”  Zack is an indication of the interaction of today’s “youth” which help keep these important roles of “living history” alive and well in our communities!

Laurie Siblock, Assistant Manager/Special Event & Community Liaison Lang Pioneer Village Museum … “Living history helps preserve both tangible and intangible heritage for future generations”…“part of understanding history is to help us not repeat the mistakes of the past. It helps us gain appreciation for what we have today”… “It is important to get into the mindset and understand the personalities of the people before us”.  “Our ancestors paved the way for us; the richness in the past can inform you and help you understand the present”.

These few excerpts from my interviews over the past year have helped create an awareness how important “living history” is. Through our War of 1812 Celebrations Website we will continue to promote, educate, and inform our website visitors about the War of 1812 and its’ impact on our society today. We will be increasing our ongoing pursuit to enhance the knowledge of this important part of Canadian History. Our plan is reach as many War of 1812 enthusiasts and would-be enthusiasts, new “Canadians”, and particularly the youth in Ontario. Hope to see you “in-the-fields” during 2012.

The Importance of Living History

Judi McWilliams

Behind the Lens

Ontario Visited

War of 1812 Celebrations

During 2012, our War of 1812 Celebrations Website will be focusing on the promotion of the War of 1812; the War of 1812 Bicentennial Celebrations, its participants, its history and the people who organize and manage War of 1812 Bicentennial events. We will also focus on showcasing and promoting War of 1812 re-enactments and activities during the Bicentennial and beyond.

I have been on a quest to understand why History, the War of 1812 and “living history” is so important. Over the course of last year I asked several leaders, experts, re-enactors why they felt “living history” was important. Some of the responses have enlightened me and may be interesting to you also. The following are partial excerpts from Blog interviews posted in the past on our War of 1812 Celebrations website.

Mr. Chris Robins, High School History teacher - Cobourg … “I can see the students enjoy the history, that sometimes, until you get involved with re-enacting, you underestimate just how important history is. What I am very excited about is understanding why the men/women of the War of 1812 period of time fought the way they did.”

Anne Brooks, Current former Marketing and Communications Coordinator at Fanshawe Pioneer Village, London …“I think it is important for people to learn about their history.  The war of 1812 was a very large part of Canadian history and I really feel like people do not know a great deal about what happened.  It is important to celebrate the heroic actions of the soldiers who lived and died in the War of 1812.  You can’t move on to the future until you learn from the past.”

Ms. Sandra Shaul, City of Toronto, Museum Administrator, Special Projects, Bicentennial War of 1812 Museums - Heritage Services for the City of Toronto Cultural Services – Toronto …“the demographics of the Toronto area and region are not rural and have a very distinct audience from other areas”. “The region is composed of about 2.6 million people, 50% born outside Canada, thus creating a vast diversity of multi-cultural and diverse ethnic backgrounds; “if you understand the context of the War of 1812, you will see how it has led to who we are today”.

(To Be Continued)