Battle Of New Orleans Essay Sample

The Battle of New Orleans was fought between the British and the American Army on January 8th , 1815 in present day Chalmette. Despite the fact that the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24th, 1814, word of the signing had not reached America. And by autumn of 1814 a British fleet of more than 50 ships commanded by Major General Sir Edward Pakenham sailed into the Gulf of Mexico and prepared to attack New Orleans. The Battle of New Orleans was a major historical event because it was the last confrontation between the Americans and the British in a series of small battles during the War of 1812. It kept the Louisiana territory in US possession, helped make Jean Lafitte an ally, and boosted American Morale.

The British saw New Orleans as a vital entry point to the United States. With the territory that could be taken, Great Britain would gain control of the Mississippi River, be able to rule the American South trade, and effectively put an end to the United States’ westward expansion. “New Orleans was one of the most important port cities in the U.S. at the time. The city allowed access to the Mississippi River, an important route for both transportation (of both troops and civilians) and shipping. Many strategists during the War of 1812 saw control of the Mississippi River as control of the war itself” (National Geographic). New Orleans was a large amount of territory which the United States acquired through the Louisiana purchase in 1803. New Orleans was the richest and the third-largest city in the United States. Its port transported produce from the country to the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. This was why it's the main target of both British aggression and American protection.

At the beginning of the battle, it seemed as though the British had an advantage against the US in terms of the numbers. But even though the American Army only consisted of 5,700 soldiers and the British consisted of 8,000, the American Army only suffered 62 casualties whereas the British suffered 2,034 casualties. Coming into the battle, The British troops were unused to fighting in Louisiana's swampy, humid climate. While many US troops, on the other hand, were locals who found the area familiar and easy to navigate. The Aericans also gained another advantage against the British after convincing Jean Lafitte to help fight against the United Kingdom. “On the surface, a law-breaking pirate seems an odd choice for an ally in battle, but Lafitte and his crew proved to be valuable assets in the fight against the British aggressors. Lafitte and his men had intimate knowledge of the area, as well as skills in the field of artillery. Fueled by a growing distaste for the British after they took over his base of operations on the nearby Barataria Preserve, Lafitte agreed to fight for the U.S.” (National Geographic). This combined with the Americans great desire to keep the Louisianan territory in their possession, is what led Brevet Major General Andrew Jackson and his army to victory, oosting American morale and sending the British back to their country.

The war increased American self-confidence, allowed for colonial expansion, shaped the political atmosphere until the Civil War, and marked the birth of the American military establishment. It also helped to forge a sense of national identity. “In the bloody Battle of New Orleans, future President Andrew Jackson and a motley assortment of militia fighters, frontiersmen, slaves, Indians and even pirates weathered a frontal assault by a superior British force, inflicting devastating casualties along the way. The victory vaulted Jackson to national stardom, and helped foil plans for a British invasion of the American frontier” (History.com Editors Battle of New Orleans). The win bolstered American pride in having defeated the British and national independence centered sound Andrew Jackson, who was bathed in poetry, biographies, etc. Both the Battle of New Orleans and Andrew Jackson's martial heroism boosted Americans' postwar sense of nationalism.

Since it was the final showdown between Americans and British during the War of 1812, the American win in Battle of New Orleans helped the United States hold Louisiana, made Jean Lafitte an ally, and raised American morale.