Ep 9. Star-Spangled Origins: America’s Anthem and the War of 1812 (Pt 1)

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Introduction

“Oh, say, can you see…”

Ever wonder why The Star-Spangled Banner opens with a question? Who’s asking? Who’s listening? Why is that flag so central to this song—and to America?

The story behind The Star-Spangled Banner is gripping, bold, and patriotic, offering a new perspective on the American flag and an American war. By the end of this two-part tale, whether you’re American or not, you might see the Stars and Stripes differently.

Think about it. If you’re American, you probably know the anthem by heart. It is sung before every sports game and other important events, but how much do you know about its origin? You know it’s about the flag, seemingly set during a battle, with someone overjoyed to see it flying. Yet, dig deeper, and the anthem tells a story of war, resilience, and both a frightening yet meaningful moment few Americans stop to think about.

What makes this anthem unique? First, it starts with a question—something fewer than 5% of anthems do. Second, it wasn’t even written to become a national anthem. Third, it’s in the first person, which only 5–10% of anthems use. Combined, these quirks make The Star-Spangled Banner distinctly unique; it is the only one with all of those attributes. And it’s the only anthem devoted entirely to a national flag. I’m leaning on ChatGPT’s stats here, but it’s safe to say this anthem is literally one-of-a-kind.

And yet, behind this anthem lies a primarily forgotten war: the War of 1812. Those “rockets red glare” and “bombs bursting in air”? They’re from this war—a strange, messy conflict that inspired a poem, that became a song, that became the American anthem. And somehow, it’s a war that slipped from America’s collective memory.

Exploring this song aligns perfectly with the mission of this show: uncovering the wonder in things people think they already know. But to appreciate the anthem’s roots, we must understand the violence that inspired it. And once I dove into researching the War of 1812, I realized how much I didn’t know. And it would be a very good bet you are in the same boat.

While the anthem’s origins are epic, the War of 1812 is…well, downright weird. There are reasons it’s forgotten, but this was a big deal—a war with Britain, America’s first showdown with them since the Revolution, and the last showdown between the two.

Here’s a taste of what we will explore. The War of 1812 began for questionable reasons, with minor skirmishes that escalated into an all-out fight for survival. Consider this; America essentially (and violently) tried to annex Canada, Washington, D.C., and Toronto went up in flames, and out of this chaos, our anthem emerged. Oh, and the war ended in an actual tie.

Nothing to see here, right?

Except there is. So, why don’t we dive into this war? It’s worth exploring.

Loose Basics About the War

While the Korean War is often called “the forgotten war,” I’d argue the War of 1812 deserves that title. As a 20th-century Canadian historian noted, it’s “an episode in history that makes everybody happy, because everybody interprets it differently…the English are happiest of all, because they don’t even know it happened.”

Author Alan Taylor, in The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies, calls it “the least remembered of America’s conflicts, a confusing and unnecessary war that produced few heroes or clear outcomes.” Likewise, Walter R. Borneman wrote in 1812: The War That Forged a Nation, “The War of 1812 remains the most obscure of America’s major wars… even though the war had momentous consequences.”

I am, unapologetically, a proud but realistic American. America’s history is confusing, odd, and inspirational—unique in its contradictions. Today’s diversity looks different as it is in the modern sense of the word, but America was considered diverse then as well, one must remember that Italians, British, and Germans were then seen as different “races.” So, compared to any other country America’s level of diversity has always been high for its time compared to other countries.

In 1812 we wanted Europe to stay out of our affairs, viewing their imperialism as wrong. Yet, we would expand from coast to coast and wield power globally—often for the better, but just as often not. And it was this feeling that Britain was meddling with our naval and shipping affairs, as well as our ability to perform good business, that was bothering the American government in the beginning of the 19th century. But of course we also saw an opportunity to expand ourselves. Like I said, contradictions all around.

With all our complications, we’re still a beacon. Millions, legally or not, try to become American each year. The War of 1812 offers a perfect window into these contradictions. It began for minor, dubious, and even stupid reasons, but it also had respectable motives. Eventually, it became a genuine fight for survival—an existential crisis that threatened its survival. And yet in the end, it was a tie.

Remarkably, the song we chose as our national anthem emerged from the battle that was the turning point of this near-lost struggle—yet we barely remember the war itself. It’s time to change that. If only because it’s a damn entertaining story and might make you the most interesting person at a bar sometime.

The Lead-Up to the War… and the “Other” War

America likes to say its story began in 1776 with the Declaration of Independence. But it wasn’t underway in the way we know it until February 1789, when George Washington started his first term as president. Fast forward a single generation, and America was back at it with Britain, the very country it fought to break free from. The Revolution was still fresh in everyone’s minds, so it’s vital to remember that mindset as the War of 1812 began.

I think it is useful to think of America at this time as a young adult, just 23 years old—legally an adult but still, as anyone older knows, really just a kid. Like many in their early 20s, America was still figuring itself out, prone to thinking a little too highly of itself without much to back it up. This is an age when people often rebel against their parents, testing limits and learning by trial and error. Rebelliousness can lead to trouble, but it’s also the time when a person starts to look inward, growing through their mistakes and discovering who they are. Of course, that only works if you stay alive and in one piece.

Ironically, this war kicked off thanks to another—a truly unforgettable one: the Napoleonic Wars. Napoleon, a Corsican general with big ideas and an even bigger ego, transformed France into the powerhouse of Europe. He envisioned a Europe free of monarchies (but, under his rule, naturally) and saw Britain as the main obstacle to that dream. To cripple British trade, he declared that any ship trading with Britain could be seized—a risky business for American merchants.

The British weren’t amused, so they fired back with the “Orders in Council,” creating a blockade against France and taxing any neutral trade with Europe. It is also useful to remember that Great Britain literally considered Napoleon the devil.. This was not a normal war for them. America was caught in a tricky spot: whether it traded with Britain or France, it faced a high risk of losing ships.

President Jefferson enacted the 1807 Embargo Act to retaliate, effectively halting all U.S. exports in a bold attempt to demand respect for American neutrality. Imagine telling the playground bullies, “If you don’t play nice, we’re taking our toys and going home.” Unfortunately, it didn’t work. Britain and France shrugged, and America’s economy took a big hit. The embargo was repealed within two years, but the damage was done.

In the aftermath, the French seized U.S. ships in French ports under the pretense of “helping enforce” the embargo. The British also didn’t hold back, with incidents like the 1807 Chesapeake-Leopard affair, where a British warship fired on an American frigate to search for deserters.

By 1810, despite the embargo setbacks, America’s merchant marine was thriving, holding the world’s second-largest cargo tonnage, just behind the British. Between 1802 and 1810, U.S. shipping to Europe nearly doubled, showing that, for all the chest-thumping about trade rules, both Britain and France still wanted American goods.

As the storm of 1812 approached, America was ambitious but naive on the global stage. It just wanted to be left alone, to trade, and to thrive. But it turns out that demanding neutrality in the middle of a massive European power struggle was easier said than done.

Impressment and Anglo-American Tensions Leading to the War of 1812

In the early 19th century, British resentment towards America grew due to its growing trade with Europe, particularly with France, which Britain viewed as its existential enemy. The British were baffled by American trade relations with Napoleon, whom many in Britain considered the “Anti-Christ.” This sentiment was echoed by British Foreign Secretary George Canning, who, justifying British maritime restrictions on France, stated, “We have now… a maritime war in our power—unfettered by any considerations of whom we may annoy or whom we may offend.”

The British Navy, vastly outgrowing the number of personnel it required, relied heavily on impressment—the forced conscription of sailors, often from foreign ships, to meet the need for trained seamen. This practice wasn’t new, having been implemented by Britain in 1563 under Queen Elizabeth I. By the time of the Napoleonic Wars, Britain’s navy had swelled from 36,000 to 114,000 men, leading to a significant shortage of volunteers. With roughly 118,000 sailors employed by Britain’s Merchant Marine in 1792, being a civilian sailor offered far better conditions, pay, and safety, incentivizing men to avoid military service.

The British solution was to impress sailors from wherever they could find them, including American ships. Since American and British cultures were so similar, differentiating between the nationalities of sailors was often based on accents and rudimentary questioning, leading to about 10,000 sailors being forcibly taken from American vessels. However, with an estimated 30% of American sailors being British-born, Britain argued it was within its rights to “reclaim” them, mainly when some sailors had deserted British service for better conditions aboard American ships.

This impressment caused profound anger in America, which viewed it as infringing national sovereignty and individual liberty. In June 1812, under pressure from repeated American protests, Britain temporarily halted its Orders in Council (restrictive trade measures) and issued directives to reduce actions that might offend the U.S. Yet, despite Britain’s concessions, President Madison declared war that same month, citing impressment as a primary cause. This declaration came despite reports indicating Britain’s new orders would curb impressment abuses.

In June 1812, with Napoleon amassing his Grande Armée for a massive invasion of Russia, Madison’s timing in declaring war was fortuitous. Preoccupied with a monumental struggle in Europe, Britain would be stretched thin, making it a strategic moment for America to challenge British actions. What seemingly excellent timing for Madison, almost a little too excellent…

However, though impressment was heavily emphasized in American rhetoric, it proved to be a relatively weak reason by war’s end. When the Treaty of Ghent was signed in 1814, ending the war, impressment was not even mentioned, raising questions about its true significance in American motivations for war.

The Canadian Situation

Canada was a significant but often underemphasized player in the War of 1812, a fact largely overlooked in American history education but central in Canadian schooling. While Canadians know their role in this conflict well, or at least better, Americans may find it surprising. In 1812, Canada was part of the British Empire, making it a focal point for U.S. military strategy since Americans couldn’t realistically challenge Britain on the seas. The Royal Navy outclassed the American Navy, which had only 16 proper warships, while the British fleet was several hundred strong.

Thus, Canada became a strategic land target, offering a feasible way for the U.S. to strike at the British Empire without relying on sea power. While some see this as an imperialistic move, it was also militarily pragmatic, given America’s limitations at sea.

America had a population of around 7-8 million, whereas Canada’s population was about 500,000, largely clustered along the border and economically linked with the U.S. This imbalance made Canada appear vulnerable, and with the former colonial power still in control, the American leaders saw an opportunity to expand and secure the northern frontier.

Belief in Canadian Liberation

Thomas Jefferson was optimistic about a Canadian invasion, believing that capturing Canada “as far as the neighborhood of Quebec, will be a mere matter of marching, and will give us experience for the attack of Halifax the next, and the final expulsion of England from the American continent.” American leaders, particularly the Founding Fathers, assumed Canadians would welcome them as liberators, eager to join a republic free from British influence. They expected Canadians to yearn for “freedom” from British rule, even if this assumption was later revealed to be overly optimistic.

General William Hull’s proclamation in July 1812 encapsulates this sentiment: “You will be emancipated from tyranny and oppression and restored to the dignified station of freemen.” Fueled by revolutionary ideals, many American leaders believed they offered Canadians liberation, showing early America’s tendency to assume that others desired their version of freedom and governance.

The Actual War – The Canadian Theater

The War of 1812 often gets framed as a conflict over impressment and trade restrictions with Britain, but oddly enough, a massive chunk of it took place in Canada. This surprises most Americans, who don’t associate their northern neighbors with this war. But trust me, it was serious—especially for Canada. Remember to think of America back then like the teenager trying to act grown up but constantly messing things up during their growing pains. The U.S. thought it could “liberate” Canada from British control, but like a 23-year-old, we were a little out of our depth, made some serious mistakes, and learned some tough lessons.

Now, Canada didn’t see itself as needing liberation, but the U.S. errantly thought otherwise. The idea was to “free” them from British tyranny, but really, it looked more like an awkward attempt at annexation. The American performance was shaky, to say the least, in the early Canadian campaigns. And that’s a big reason why it gets so little airtime in American memory. For Canadians, though, it’s remembered a bit more vividly.

I initially wrote a long piece on the Canadian theatre, breaking down all the crucial battles. I was surprised by how much actually occurred in that theater and how much it was a story of a weave of both sides’ substantial efforts to defeat each other in a fascinating back-and-forth, with a surprising lot of American mistakes and losses. I, like most of us I assume, had no idea what happened in Canada outside of a couple of the big points. But then, looking back at it al I had researched and writtenl, it was too much. I kicked myself; I wasted my time. It started to not look like a theater of war but a war all of its own, at least in battles and skirmishes (albeit, maybe not as much in terms of personnel and material). So, to make a long story shorter, in an effort not to bore you, let’s just look at the highlights.

Let’s start with the infamous Detroit fiasco. General William Hull, stationed at Fort Detroit, decided to cross into Canada with the aim of taking Windsor. He even issued a proclamation calling on the Canadian militia to join the American cause for liberty. Spoiler alert: it didn’t work. Hull got cold feet about overextending his supply lines and ended up retreating back to Detroit. It didn’t help that many of his troops just straight up refused to step foot into Canada. British General Isaac Brock and Tecumseh, the Shawnee leader, teamed up and got Hull so rattled that he surrendered without even firing a shot. There is even an exciting but unproven story of Tecumseh walking the same soldiers back and forth within the view of the Americans to make it seem there were more soldiers than there were. The Americans lost thousands of men, supplies, and Fort Detroit itself—handing the British control of the Michigan Territory. Hull was so humiliated that he was court-martialed and sentenced to death, although the punishment was later reduced.

Then, there was the debacle at Queenston Heights in Ontario. American General Van Rensselaer planned a bold assault across the Niagara River. Here’s where, yet again, it gets a bit embarrassing. The Americans were totally outclassed. Before the attack, a British officer proposed a prisoner exchange. The Americans met with him and told him specifically to come back “the day after tomorrow.” This mistake tipped off the British about the timing of the attack. The British also knew it would be an all out assault, based upon what the British officer knew when he went over to the American side. After the battle began the Americans managed to establish a beachhead, but soon after that, General Brock led a daring attempt and inspired his troops to fight back with gusto. However, he was killed, yet he was successful in greatly scaring the Americans. Also, many of the American militia men refused to cross the river. All of this led to the Americans squandering any chance of victory. And once again, the Americans slinked away, leaving the Canadians feeling more resilient than ever.

Now, onto one of the most chaotic events in Canada during the war: the burning of York, or what we now know as Toronto. In April 1813, about 2,700 American troops landed near York and faced off against a smaller British-Ojibwa defense force. Despite heavy resistance, the Americans took the upper hand, forcing British General Sheaffe to call for surrender. But as the British retreated, they ignited a gunpowder stockpile to keep it out of American hands, triggering a massive explosion that killed over 200 Americans, including General Pike.

Then, the Americans turned vengeful. They ransacked York, looting public buildings and setting fire to much of the town. This destructive act wasn’t forgotten, especially by the British, and it would soon play into the escalating tit-for-tat destruction in the war.

So, while the Americans technically “won” the battle, they really did not with the benefit of hindsight. It really was a pyrrhic victory. The vengefulness the Americans exhibited was, well, kind of vile and gross. Not only was it cruel to burn buildings needlessly and take so much from the civilians, but it would set the stage for revenge from the British, which would then play into the story of the writing of the U.S. national anthem. It is hard not to see that in doing this act, the Americans set the stage for this war to yet again escalate into something new. It got even more real. It is hard not to consider this battle a failure, even though they took the town of York.

It wouldn’t be failures forever, though. Yet, for the first couple of years, it is vital to remember that most things were not going well for the Americans. And this fact wasn’t withheld from the general public’s knowledge, only leading to an increasing general fear. This is also crucial to remember. And things went from the idea of conquering Canada to properly defending the country and making sure the British couldn’t invade the northern part of America.

After several defeats, the tide finally started to turn for the Americans in 1813, beginning with the Battle of Lake Erie. As someone who grew up along the Great Lakes, I can’t help but to have wanted to see this one go down. In fact, it’s interesting to note that naval battles upon fresh water have been exceedingly rare throughout history. On Lake Erie, Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry’s fleet outmaneuvered and defeated the British, gaining control of Lake Erie. The American fleet had 9 vessels with around 500 sailors and marines. The British fleet consisted of 6 vessels with about 440 sailors and marines. This considerable victory cut British supply lines and forced them to abandon Detroit, setting the stage for the Battle of the Thames, where the British and Tecumseh’s forces were decisively defeated. Just as important, Tecumseh perished in this battle, whose death dealt a significant blow to Native resistance in the region. His memory would live on, though, and he is remembered fondly to this day in Canada.

But let’s not skip over some of the other genuinely bizarre moments. Take the Battle of Lacolle Mills in November 1812. The Americans had a considerable advantage (in fact, it is estimated to have been about a 16-fold advantage)—about 6,000 men compared to just pa handful of British and Canadian militia. Yet, due to friendly fire (yes, there was a full-blown firefight of Americans vs Americans), confusion, and panic at just the sound of Mohawk warriors, the Americans retreated with haste. You can almost feel the embarrassment dripping off the page for all those Americans who had to read about it in the newspapers.

So, why does this all matter? At the start, the War of 1812 seemed like just another spat with Britain, but after these blunders, it started to feel like a fight for survival—another war for independence. All of a sudden, Americans had to fear an invasion not just from the east but from the north. And it looked as if that may just happen. With one defeat after another, it must’ve been terrifying for Americans living near the Canadian border or in the northern part of the country. Suddenly, this wasn’t just about impressment or trade. It was about the genuine possibility that the young republic might collapse.

The Americans did eventually get their act together—somewhat. Fort Erie in 1814 marked one of the few significant American victories on Canadian soil. After a brutal siege, the British were forced to retreat. But even then, the U.S. abandoned the fort afterward. So, yeah, it was a tough war for America, especially in the Canadian theater, where early losses were frequent, and victories felt fleeting.

The War of 1812 is often forgotten from the American perspective, but it’s remembered as a defining moment in Canada. Canadians successfully defended their land and kept the Americans at bay, solidifying their national identity and loyalty to Britain. While the war ended in a stalemate between the U.S. and Britain, Canadians saw it as a victory. They weren’t “liberated” because they never needed to be. And that’s a part of history worth remembering, even if Americans tend to forget it.

Land Battles on American Soil

There wasn’t as much fighting on American soil in this war as there was against the Redcoats, Canadians, and indigenous soldiers in the Canadian theatre. I found this fascinating; I just didn’t realize how much more active the goings-on in Canada was. However, thinking back to what we discussed at the beginning of this episode, the logic behind this difference reveals itself.

For the first couple of years in this conflict, Great Britain was wholly distracted from fighting their arch nemesis, whom they saw as the anti-Christ, Napoleon. Their resources and men were firmly focused on that. They didn’t have the soldiers for both sides of the Atlantic. Even in Canada, they had to confine their efforts mainly to a defensive game. So if you were wondering why America kept poking at them without a robust British response on American soil, this is why. However, we must remember the American public wasn’t privy to this fact and understandably were left in fear of what was occurring to their north.

Hence, major land battles on American soil did not occur until 1814, after Napoleon’s defeat earlier that year. Afterward, British attention pivoted entirely to the U.S., and they could and would deploy more experienced troops. So, while there were some skirmishes and more minor battles on American soil early in the war, it wasn’t until Europe unburdened British forces that the fighting intensified in the U.S.

Before we talk about the land battles of 1814, there is one battle we should touch upon: a conflict that popped off due to tensions brewing on the American frontier. Interestingly, it occurred just before the war officially started. This happened in the land that we associate at the time with the more untouched lands west of Ohio. The young United States found themselves at severe odds with native nations led by the Shawnee chief Tecumseh, who aimed to form a powerful confederacy to resist American expansion. Tecumseh’s brother, Tenskwatawa, also known as “The Prophet,” rallied warriors and set up camp at the aptly named Prophetstown near the Tippecanoe River in present-day Indiana.

American General William Henry Harrison saw this growing coalition as a threat and marched on Prophetstown with about 1,000 men. Early on November 7, the Native forces attacked, igniting what would become the Battle of Tippecanoe. The fighting was intense but brief. Harrison’s forces managed to hold their ground and forced the Natives to retreat, after which he burned Prophetstown. Though a tactical victory, it came at a steep cost, with high casualties on both sides.

Tippecanoe rattled the frontier and deepened U.S. suspicion of British support for Indigenous alliances. Harrison’s victory would later be celebrated in John Tyler’s presidential campaign slogan, “Tippecanoe and Tyler Too.” The battle stood as a prelude to the conflict to come, setting the stage for Native alliances in the War of 1812.

Let’s fast forward a couple of years to perhaps one of the most shocking moments in American history. It was the end of August 1814. British forces landed within the Chesapeake Bay, aiming straight for the capital. American troops tried to hold the line at Bladensburg, but it was a disaster — the militia fled in chaos, a rout so embarrassing that it’s now known as the “Bladensburg Races.” With no defenses left, British troops marched right into Washington, D.C., and torched iconic buildings, including the White House and Capitol. Why? Well, besides being a war tactic throughout history, they remembered how the Americans treated Toronto and wanted to return the favor of burning down a city even when that town no longer threatened the invading forces. There is a good chance it would not have happened had the battle of York in Canada not gone the way it did. President Madison and his wife, Dolley, narrowly escaped, with Dolley famously saving the well known portrait of George Washington. This dramatic act was a significant morale blow, and the image of British soldiers in the American capital set the tone for even more revenge to come.

Now, we will touch up the battle that sparked the entire idea for writing these episodes: The Battle of Baltimore & Fort McHenry. This battle relates the most (or entirely) to the writing of the Star-Spangled Anthem, the U.S. national anthem.

In the shadow of Washington’s burning, Baltimore braced itself. British forces believed Baltimore was ripe for the taking, and their navy launched a bombardment on Fort McHenry that lasted 25 hours. Soldiers and citizens alike waited with bated breath as the night sky lit up with explosions. When dawn finally broke, “the rocket’s red glare” gave way to an unyielding sight — the American flag, still waving over the fort. This battle was a critical win, saving Baltimore and inspiring Francis Scott Key to pen the poem that would become the national anthem. Baltimore was no Washington, D.C., and this battle proved the Americans still had fight left in them. But worry not; we will touch more on this battle in the next episode. Stay tuned.

The next battle we need to touch upon is another one that is entirely wild when we examine it retrospectively. And that is because not only was it significant, but it also happened after the war ended! The Redcoats and Yankees were technically not at war anymore, but they didn’t know that. The mail from Ghent in Europe hadn’t reached them yet. Could you imagine losing a loved one in this battle, knowing it didn’t even need to happen in the slightest?!

Without knowing the news, the British forces aimed to capture New Orleans, a city that the Americans had just incorporated into their country, and to, therefore, control the heart of all America west of the Appalachian mountains, the Mississippi River. This would give them a massive advantage. General Andrew Jackson led a makeshift army of American regulars, militia, and even pirates in a brilliant defensive stand. Outnumbered and outgunned, Jackson’s forces repelled the British in a stunning victory, inflicting heavy casualties and ending the British threat in the south. The Battle of New Orleans became legendary and catapulted Jackson to national fame. It also gave Americans a lasting image of victory to cap off the war, even if the treaty was already signed. If you ever find yourself in New Orleans, you can still go to the battleground where this battle took place. I highly recommend visiting it if you enjoy history.

But we are not done yet. Deep in the American South, General Andrew Jackson led a decisive battle against the Creek Nation, who were allied with the British, at the end of March 1814. This one isn’t remembered as much as it was not against the redcoats but against their allies. Technically, it was in the Creek War, but we should still point it out as it probably wouldn’t happen without the War of 1812. In a bloody assault on the Creek’s stronghold, Jackson’s forces inflicted over 800 casualties, a devastating blow. This battle effectively ended the Creek War and forced the cession of vast Native American lands in the Southeast. It wasn’t a direct clash with British forces but had a massive impact on the region and Jackson’s rise as a military leader, setting the stage for his future. That is why I include it.

Each of these battles is packed with drama and consequences. From the devastating shock of Washington in flames to the defiant stand at Fort McHenry, these American land battles were fewer in number but full of defining moments. They provided the inspiration, morale boosts, and symbolic victories that shaped American memory and identity in the years following the war.

The Atlantic Theater

The most important theater of the War of 1812 was, no surprise, the Atlantic waters. Much of the action occurred around the Chesapeake Bay, though the British impact was felt up and down the entirety of the American coastline. There are a few reasons this theater matters so much, at least in my view. First, it underscores Britain’s power at sea—how utterly dominant they could be when they decided to throw their weight around. However, it also shows how critical (and challenging at times) the land battles became for the Americans, especially as the British choked life out of American trade, which only made said land battles more challenging to accomplish. And finally, it explains a great deal about the fear, bordering on panic, that gripped Americans. For many, and for good reason, this theater of war adds to why the war felt like a second fight for independence.

What makes the Atlantic theater unique is that it wasn’t loaded with classic naval battles, as you might expect. Of course, there were a few showdowns, but the British strategy was less about outright combat and more about slow suffocation. Imagine one side holding the other underwater, only giving enough air to keep them alive while tightening the grip. And while there were notable clashes, one of which is woven into our national anthem’s very words, what Britain did here was different—deft, deliberate, and devastating.

The first significant naval engagement was actually an unexpected American win. In August 1812, the USS Constitution—“Old Ironsides”—defeated HMS Guerriere off the coast of Nova Scotia. Against the odds, America struck an early blow to British naval pride, as this victory punctured the Royal Navy’s aura of invincibility. Americans cheered, thrilled to think their navy could stand toe-to-toe with Britain’s. But looking back, that win might have been a mixed blessing or even another pyrrhic victory. For one, it gave Americans a surge of confidence that may not have been entirely realistic. And it caught Britain’s attention, maybe even convincing them that a more relentless strategy was in order.

That strategy was a total blockade designed to strangle American commerce and cut the country off from the rest of the world. In 1812, the British began constructing this blockade, tightening the noose until, by early 1813, they controlled major ports from New York City to the Chesapeake. Interestingly, they left New England alone initially, hoping that economic isolation might turn those states against the war. But even with New England temporarily spared, this was a severe blow: with New York, Philadelphia, D.C., and Baltimore closed off, the nation’s largest trading centers were paralyzed. By late 1813, the British extended the blockade to the entire southern coast, and by 1814, they had the whole coastline, including New Orleans, effectively shut down.

And like parents who were done dealing with their rowdy young adult-child, the Brits were ready to lay down the law. The British philanthropist William Ward, 1st Earl of Dudley, in July 1813 wrote, “However, we seem to be leading the Yankees a sad life upon their coasts… I am glad of it with all my heart. When they declared war they thought it was pretty near over with us, and that their weight cast into the scale would decide our ruin. Luckily they were mistaken, and are likely to pay dear for their error.” Admiral Warren said, “We do not intend this as a mere paper blockade, but as a complete stop to all Trade & intercourse by sea with those Ports, as far as the wind & weather, & the continual presence of a sufficing armed Force, will permit and ensure.”

It’s hard to overstate how this isolation would have felt. Americans were suddenly trapped within their borders, unable to trade beyond their shores or even easily within them. Trade with the rest of the world dried up, and with it, the government’s primary revenue source. Don’t forget that income tax didn’t exist yet; the government ran primarily on customs duties, and without trade, those funds vanished. Add to this the terrifying news in the spring of 1814 that Britain and France had ended their war. Suddenly, Britain was free to focus entirely on America. They could send troops and resources that had once been tied up with Napoleon across the Atlantic, making it able to make their blockade much tighter. Hopes of taking Canada were dead in the water, and even the most stubborn of Americans had to realize that their northern neighbor would remain firmly under British control.

By this point, the British weren’t simply enforcing a blockade but executing a form of economic warfare that squeezed the U.S. economy dry. 1811, American overseas trade was worth $40 million; by 1814, that number had plummeted to just $2.6 million. Revenues from customs duties had dwindled, and the government was teetering on the edge of bankruptcy. Fighting a war against the world’s most formidable navy while broke? Not exactly ideal.

The British were dead serious about choking off America from the world. And, although America was fortunate in having fertile land to keep it fed, nearly everything else was in short supply. Imagine what it must have felt like to be in that situation: cut off from the world, with your country’s finances in ruins, the north braced against British Canada, and your navy stifled. You’d gone from being irritated with your former rulers over maritime issues to quite literally fighting for survival as a nation. It must have felt surreal. Just try to put yourself in their shoes for a moment—struggling to breathe in a war you started but were beginning to wonder if you could finish.

Conclusion and a Preview

To wrap up this episode, let’s take a moment to pull together what we’ve covered about the War of 1812, its forgotten legacy, and how it laid the foundation for the moment that inspired our national anthem.

We began with the tensions on the high seas, where Britain’s control of global trade clashed with America’s rising economic ambitions. One British captain’s words capture the frustration that Britain felt towards “cousin Jonathan”—their nickname for America—saying he was “ashamed of the narrow, selfish light” in which Americans viewed Britain’s “struggle for liberty and morality in Europe.” But to Americans, the frequent impressment of sailors, the seizure of ships, and the closing of markets felt less like a global crisis and more like an attack on their hard-won independence and national pride.

That tension boiled over to include an unlikely third player—Canada. Seen by American leaders as vulnerable and a logical extension of their version of independence, Canada became a target. And while leaders like Thomas Jefferson assumed Canadians would welcome them as liberators, the reality was far more complex. With only 16 warships and a small army, America’s strategy hinged on the belief that Canada was the weakest link in Britain’s empire. Jefferson went as far as to say that the “acquisition of Canada… will be a mere matter of marching.” But this wasn’t just about expansion or conquest; it was, for Americans, about securing borders, reinforcing independence, and pushing back against British influence.

As we’ve seen, Americans believed they were fighting a second war for independence, defending against what they saw as British disrespect for their sovereignty. While the early years of the conflict were far from the “mere matter of marching” Jefferson imagined, the war came to be seen as a test of America’s resolve, a moment when a fledgling country stood against an empire that refused to fully acknowledge its freedom.

You may have noticed that I left out discussing fully one crucial naval engagement. That was the battle at Baltimore at Fort McHenry in September of 1814. As you know, that was purposeful, and that battle was as exciting as they come, especially as it was on the heels of the British capturing and burning Washington D.C You’ll definitely want to learn about that battle!

In the next episode, we’ll dive into the battle that symbolized this resolve—the fight that inspired Francis Scott Key to pen “The Star-Spangled Banner.” It wasn’t just one battle; it was a critical moment in a war that many Americans thought of as forgotten but one that genuinely cemented their sense of nationhood. So join me on the next one as we travel back to that pivotal night on the Chesapeake Bay to witness the “broad stripes and bright stars” over Fort McHenry, a sight that turned the War of 1812 from a forgotten conflict into an anthem still sung today.

Written by Sean Poynton Brna

Star-Spangled Origins: America’s Anthem and the War of 1812 (Pt 1) – Remedial Polymath

Why does The Star-Spangled Banner open with a question? Who wrote it—and during what war? In Part 1 of this two-part series, we uncover the wild, overlooked origins of America’s national anthem. From attempted invasions of Canada to the burning of Washington, D.C., this episode explores how a strange and nearly forgotten war—the War of 1812—gave birth to the Stars and Stripes’ most famous tribute. Whether you’re American or not, you’ll never hear the anthem the same way again. PLEASE PLEASE subscribe to Remedial Polymath and share this episode (and/or the others) with others on your social media, or just tell your friends about it! To read the article for this episode replete with images, the complete song from this episode, resource links, etc. just click here! Chapter Markers 3:34 Introduction to The War of 1812 and how it led to the Star Spangled Banner 7:22 Loose basics about the war 10:46 The lead up to the war and the "other war" (The Napoleonic Wars) 15:26 Impressment and Anglo-American tensions on the high seas 23:16 The Canadian theater of war 36:17 The American theater of war 46:30 The battles on the Atlantic 52:22 Conclusion and preview of part 2