The War of 1812, Conflict and Deception: The British Attempt to Seize New Orleans and Nullify the Louisiana Purchase

by Ronald J. Drez

Perhaps no conflict in American history is more important yet more overlooked and misunderstood than the War of 1812. Begun by President James Madison after decades of humiliating British trade interference and impressment of American sailors, the war in many ways was the second battle for United States independence.



At the climax of the war -- inspired by the defeat of Napoleon in early 1814 and the perceived illegality of the Louisiana Purchase -- the British devised a plan to launch a three-pronged attack against the northern, eastern, and southern U.S. borders. Concealing preparations for this strike by engaging in negotiations in Ghent, Britain meanwhile secretly issued orders to seize New Orleans and wrest control of the Mississippi and the lands west of the river. They further instructed British commander General Edward Pakenham not to cease his attack if he heard rumors of a peace treaty. Great Britain even covertly installed government officials within military units with the intention of immediately taking over administrative control once the territory was conquered.

According to author Ronald J. Drez, the British strategy and the successful defense of New Orleans through the leadership of General Andrew Jackson affirm the serious implications of this climatic -battle. Far from being simply an unnecessary epilogue to the War of 1812, the Battle of New Orleans firmly secured for the United States the territory acquired through the Louisiana Purchase.

Through the use of primary sources, Drez provides a deeper understanding of Britain's objectives, and The War of 1812, Conflict and Deception offers a compelling account of this pivotal moment in American history.

408 pages, Hardcover

First published November 12, 2014

Reviews

[Stephen Boiko · Rating 5 out of 5]

What is beyond doubt is that after the crushing defeat of January 8, the long-sought British claim to the Louisiana Purchase territory could never be laid on any arbitration table.

[Mike · Rating 4 out of 5]

I learned a lot reading this book. It did an outstanding job of detailing the events, but the author obviously has an issue with other writers and the book sometimes gets bogged down in his debate. I know he was trying to correct errors in past descriptions, but for the general reader this was overdone.

[Brian · Rating 1 out of 5]

Didn't make it past the introduction. The author came at this from a very specific angle of trying to provide a rebuttal to what was perceived as a historical slighting of the importance of the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812.

[Joe · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are interested in this period of American History, then this is a must read!