Anti-War

Opposition to... Anti war protest in Melbourne, Australia, 2003 Anti_war is a name that is widely adopted by any social movement or person that seeks to end or oppose a future or current war. ... Image File history File links Peace_Sign_2. ... War of 1812 Second Boer War Vietnam War 2001 Afghanistan War Iraq War War on Terrorism Opposition to the Second Boer War began slowly but grew due in part to organisations like the Stop the War Committee. ... Opposition to U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War began slowly and in small numbers in 1964 on various college campuses in the United States. ... It has been suggested that Post-September 11 anti-war movement be merged into this article or section. ... This article is about opposition to the 2003 invasion of Iraq and the Iraq War from outside Iraq. ... Criticisms of the War on Terrorism addresses the issues, morals, ethics, efficiency, and other questions surrounding the War on Terrorism. Arguments are also made against the phrase itself, calling it a misnomer. ... Organizations ANSWER Coalition Anti-War Coalition Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament Not in Our Name Stop the War Coalition Stop the War Committee United for Peace and Justice Veterans for Peace Vietnam Veterans Against the War Other anti-war organizations ANSWER banner at the head of an April 12, 2003 anti-war march in Washington DC. A.N.S.W.E.R. (Act Now to Stop War and End Racism)—also known as International ANSWER and the ANSWER Coalition—is a radical protest organization which has taken a leading role... The Anti-war Coalition (AWC) is a South African Anti-war Coalition. ... Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament logo In British politics, the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament has been at the forefront of the peace movement in the United Kingdom and claims to be Europes largest single-issue peace campaign. ... Not in Our Name (NION) is a United States organization founded on March 23, 2002, in order to resist the U.S. governments course in the wake of the September 11, 2001 Terrorist Attacks. ... The Stop the War Coalition (StWC) (informally just Stop the War) is a UK anti-war group set up on 21 September 2001. ... The Stop the War Committee was an anti-war organisation which opposed the Second Boer War. ... United for Peace and Justice (UFPJ) is a coalition of more than 1,300 international and U.S.-based organizations opposed to what they describe as our governments policy of permanent warfare and empire-building. ... Veterans For Peace is an American organization founded in 1985. ... -1... In order to facilitate organized opposition to war, anti-war activists have often founded anti-war organizations. ... Media Books Films Peace symbol Protest song Chants and slogans An anti-war book is a book that is perceived as having an anti-war theme. ... An anti-war film is a movie that is perceived as having an anti-war theme. ... Peace sign redirects here. ... A protest song is a song intended to protest perceived problems in society such as injustice, racial discrimination, war, globalization, inflation, social inequalities. ... Short slogans and chants opposing the Iraq War and related policies of Bush and Blair are commonly heard or seen on signs at antiwar protests. ... General anti-war Anti-imperialism Conscientious objector Pacifism Peace churches Peace movement Anti-imperialism, strictly speaking, is a term that may be applied to any idea or movement opposed to some form of imperialism. ... A conscientious objector is an individual whose personal beliefs are incompatible with military service, perhaps with any role in the armed forces or just with a particular war. ... Pacifism is the opposition to war or violence as a means of settling disputes. ... Peace churches are Christian churches, groups or communities advocating pacifism. ... To meet Wikipedias quality standards, this article or section may require cleanup. ...

Opposition to the War of 1812 was widespread in the United States, especially in New England. It helped lead to a serious consideration of secession by several Northeastern states, and is a strong candidate for the war which has generated the most domestic opposition of any in U.S. history. The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and British Empire from 1812 to 1815, on land in North America and at sea around the world. ... The states of New England are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. ...

Background

In the context of an expansionist desire by many U.S. politicians to conquer the then-British colony of Canada, various sovereignty violations by Britain, such as the searching and seizure of U.S. merchant ships at sea, became the impetus for war. The U.S. Congress declared war on June 18, 1812, with the support of President James Madison and Congressional War Hawks in the Democratic-Republican Party led by Speaker of the House Henry Clay. The Federalist Party, led by its members in New England, was opposed from the beginning. Since the regular standing Army was very small, members of state militias had to be called up to go to war. Sovereignty is the exclusive right to exercise supreme political (legislative, judicial and/or executive) authority over a geographic region, group of people or oneself. ... The Congress of the United States is the legislative branch of the federal government of the United States of America. ... June 18 is the 169th day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar (170th in leap years), with 196 days remaining. ... 1812 was a leap year starting on Wednesday (see link for calendar). ... For the pop band, see Presidents of the United States of America. ... James Madison (March 16, 1751 – June 28, 1836) was the fourth (1809–1817) President of the United States. ... War Hawks were those people in the United States prior to the War of 1812 who favored westward expansion and supported a war against Britain to achieve this. ... The Democratic-Republican party was a United States political party, which evolved early in the history of the United States. ... The term Speaker is usually the title given to the presiding officer of a countrys lower house of parliament or congress (ie: the House of Commons or House of Representatives). ... Henry Clay (April 12, 1777 in Hanover County, Virginia, USA – June 29, 1852 in Washington, D.C.) was a leading American statesman and orator who served in both the House of Representatives and Senate. ... The label Federalist refers to two major groups in the history of the United States of America: (1. ... The states of New England are Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. ... The Army is the branch of the United States armed forces which has primary responsibility for land-based military operations. ... Lexington Minuteman representing militia minuteman John Parker A militia is a group of citizens organized to provide paramilitary service. ...

Official opposition

Many politicians from Northern states whose industry depended on trade with Britain were horrified by the prospect of war with that country. The Federalist Party in Congress was united in opposition to the war as soon as it was declared. A document called "An Address of Members of the House of Representatives... on the Subject of War with Great Britain," signed by 34 of 36 House Federalists, was widely circulated and put forward Federalist views on the subject. It argued that the parliamentary procedures used by Democratic-Republicans to launch the war were anti-democratic and hostile to "Representative liberty"; that "war upon the land" as a response to attacks against "commerce upon the ocean" was not justified or effective; that the war would involve a dangerous entanglement with France, then fighting Britain in the Napoleonic Wars; and that with the U.S. unprepared for war and militarily weak, a disaster might result - "a war of invasion may invite a retort of invasion."^[1] The label Federalist refers to two major groups in the history of the United States of America: (1. ... Combatants Allies: • United Kingdom, • Prussia, • Austria, • Russia France Casualties Full list Full list The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars fought during Napoleon Bonapartes rule over France. ...

The Federalists had no control of national policy, however. As the war dragged on, they grew increasingly frustrated. Eventually, some in New England, the Federalist stronghold, began to consider secession. The Hartford Convention, with 26 delegates from Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island, and dissident counties in Vermont and New Hampshire, was held in secrecy to consider this. It was called by the Massachusetts legislature on October 10, 1814, ostensibly to discuss proposed Constitutional amendments, and continued through January 5, 1815. Its final report did not openly recommend secession, but called for a list of Constitutional amendments which could not have passed the Democratic-Republican-controlled Congress, which were intended as bargaining positions on behalf of New England, backed by the threat of secession. However, when commissioners arrived in Washington to negotiate, they were greeted with news of a peace treaty with Britain, the Treaty of Ghent, which essentially restored the pre-war status quo. This undercut their potential support, leaving them proposing near-treason without excuse. They quickly returned to Massachusetts, and the Federalist Party was mortally damaged. The Hartford Convention was an event in the United States during the War of 1812 in which New Englands opposition to the war reached the point where secession from the United States was discussed. ... Official language(s) English Capital Boston Largest city Boston Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 44th 10,555 mi²; 27,360 km² 183 mi; 295 km 113 mi; 182 km 13. ... Official language(s) English Capital Hartford Largest city Bridgeport Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 48th 14,371 km² 113 km 177 km 12. ... Official language(s) None Capital Providence Largest city Providence Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 50th 4,005 km² 50 km 65 km 32. ... Official language(s) None Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 43rd 24,923 km² 130 km 260 km 3. ... Official language(s) English Capital Concord Largest city Manchester Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 46th 24,239 km² 110 km 305 km 3. ... October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in Leap years). ... 1814 was a common year starting on Saturday (see link for calendar). ... January 5 is the 5th day of the year in the Gregorian calendar. ... The Battle of New Orleans 1815 was a common year starting on Sunday (see link for calendar). ... Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... Signing of the Treaty of Ghent The Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814, in Ghent, Belgium, ended the War of 1812 between the United States and United Kingdom. ...

Popular opposition

While a sense of patriotism made initial support for the war, outside of Federalist strongholds, very strong, as the war dragged on and the U.S. suffered several reversals, opposition to the war beyond Federalist Party legislators grew. As a result few could be found willing to actually join the military and fight the war.

For example, after the British seizure of Fort Niagara and sacked the town of Lewiston, General George McClure tried to call up the local militia to drive them back, but found that most would not respond, tired of repeated drafts and McClure's earlier failures. Even those who did appear, he wrote, were more interested "in taking care of their families and property by carrying them into the interior, than helping us to fight."^[2] Historical recreation actors at Old Fort Niagara Fort Niagara is a three hundred-year-old fortification originally built to protect the interests of New France in northern North America. ... Lewiston is the name of some places in the United States of America: Lewiston, Alabama Lewiston, California Lewiston, Georgia Lewiston, Idaho Lewiston, Illinois Lewiston, Maine Lewiston, Michigan Lewiston, Minnesota Lewiston, Nebraska Lewiston, New York Lewiston, North Carolina Lewiston, Utah Lewiston, Vermont Lewiston, Virginia Lewiston, Washington Lewiston, Wisconsin Note also the...

This was shown in national recruitment efforts as well. While Congress authorized the War Department to recruit 50,000 one-year volunteers, only 10,000 could be found, and the Army never reached half of its authorized strength. A national conscription plan was proposed in Congress, but defeated with the aid of Daniel Webster, though several states passed conscription policies. Even Kentucky, home state of the best-known war hawk Henry Clay, was the source of only 400 recruits in 1812. It was not until the war was concluded that its retrospective popularity shot up again.↑  Daniel Webster Daniel Webster (January 18, 1782 – October 25, 1852) was a United States Senator and Secretary of State. ... Official language(s) English Capital Frankfort Largest city Louisville Area  - Total  - Width  - Length  - % water  - Latitude  - Longitude Ranked 37th 104,749 km² 225 km 610 km 1. ...

Backlash

Many members of the Democratic-Republican Party viewed opposition as treasonous or near-treasonous once war was declared. The Washington National Intelligencer wrote that, "WAR IS DECLARED, and every patriot heart must unite in its support." The Augusta Chronicle wrote that, "he who is not for us is against us."^[3] Aerial photo (looking NW) of the Washington Monument and the White House in Washington, DC. Washington, D.C., officially the District of Columbia (also known as D.C.; Washington; the Nations Capital; the District; and, historically, the Federal City) is the capital city and administrative district of the United... // Augusta as a place name Augusta, derived from Augustus the emperor, is also part of the original Latin names of many ancient places. ...

This sentiment was especially strong in Baltimore, at the time a boomtown with a large population of recent French, Irish, and German immigrants who especially hated Britain. In early 1812, several riots took place, centering around the anti-war Federalist newspaper the Federal Republican were destroyed by a mob, and several Black people thought to be sympathetic to Britain were assaulted. Local and city officials, all war hawks, expressed disapproval of the violence, but did little to stop it.^[4] When the editors of Federal Republican tried to return, they were removed from protective custody in a jail by a mob, on the night of July 27, and tortured; one, Revolutionary War veteran James Lingan, died of his injuries. Opponents of the war then largely ceased to openly express their opposition in Baltimore.^[5] This article is about the city in the US state of Maryland. ... July 27 is the 208th day (209th in leap years) of the year in the Gregorian Calendar, with 157 days remaining. ... The American Revolution was a revolution that ended two centuries of rule of the Thirteen Colonies by the British Empire and created the modern United States of America. ...

The Baltimore riots were the height of violent backlash during the war, whose popularity dropped through 1813 and 1814. However, after the war, when the Hartford Convention's existence became public after a peace treaty was signed with Britain, there was a longer-term backlash against the Federalist Party, which was associated with secession and treason. The party never regained national predominance, fielding its last Presidential candidate in 1816 and fading away entirely by the end of the 1820's.

Comparison to later wars

The War of 1812 was the first official war fought by the United States, as the U.S., and so was the first to develop widespread anti-war sentiment. However, there is no direct continuity between the opponents of the war of 1812 and later anti-war movements, as the anti-war Federalist Party collapsed soon after the end of the war.

The War of 1812 is less well known than 20th-century U.S. wars, but no other war had the degree of opposition by elected officials represented by the Hartford Convention and its consideration of secession. However, the War of 1812 did not generate a protest movement, with massive street demonstrations led by organizations independent of electoral political parties and inflected by political radicalism, as did the wars in Vietnam and Iraq, and to a lesser degree the First World War. Historian Donald R. Hickey has argued that, "The War of 1812 was America's most unpopular war. It generated more intense opposition than any other war in the nation's history, including the war in Vietnam."^[6] Ypres, 1917, in the vicinity of the Battle of Passchendaele. ...

Notes

1. ↑  Hickey (1990), pp. 54-5
2. ↑  Hickey (1990), p. 142
3. ↑  Hoey (2000), web
4. ↑  Hickey (1990), p. 55
5. ↑  Hickey (1990), pp. 56-58
6. ↑  Hickey (1990), pp. 64-66
7. ↑  Hickey (1990), p. 255

References

• Hickey, Donald R. (1990). The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict, University of Illinois Press. ISBN 0252060598.
• Hoey, John B. (Winter 2000). “Federalist Opposition To The War Of 1812”. The Early America Review 3 (1). ISSN 1090-4247.