Laura Secord. The Lost Canadian Heroine of the War of 1812

Essay , 2015 , 8 Pages , Grade: A

Cultural Studies - Canada

The outcome of the War of 1812 had major implications in the development of not only the United States, but as well on Canada. On 24 June 1812, Great Britain discovered via a messenger that the United States was asserting its power and declaring war against Great Britain. Although greatly outnumbered, Britain’s small but well trained army, commanded by such senior officers as Isaac Brock and George Prevost, was able to fend off the Americans and win the war at the border.

This victory was in large part the result of the supporting role played by the Natives and a former American woman whose allegiance to Britain was instrumental in the British maintaining their strategic position and stronghold in Canada. Specifically, Laura Secord, an American born loyalist whose family moved to Upper Canada, “lured by cheap land and low taxes”, dramatically changed the course of Canadian history by playing an essential part in the British Victory at Beaver Dams.

Nonetheless, if history affectionately nicknames Secord “The Heroine of the War of 1812”, why did it take half a century to properly compensate and recognize Secord’s instrumental role in supporting the British during the War of 1812 at Beaver Dams? This paper argues that Laura Secord’s heroic actions in June 1813 played an extremely important role in the victory at the Battle of Beaver’s Dam, and her efforts made a significant contribution in shaping Canada’s future. More specifically, by analyzing Secord before, during and after her famous 32 kilometer walk from Queenston to Beaver Dams it is evident that Secord was a pivotal figure in securing the land that would have otherwise have been claimed by the Americans. Despite her vital role Secord was completely ignored by the British and her loyalist countrymen for almost half a century.

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• The Outcome of the War of 1812
• Laura Secord's Heroic Actions
• The British and American Strategies
• Laura Secord's Involvement in the War
• The Battle at Beaver Dams
• Controversy Surrounding the Legend of Laura Secord

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This paper examines the significant role played by Laura Secord in the British victory at the Battle of Beaver Dams during the War of 1812. It explores her actions and the impact they had on shaping Canada's future.

• The strategic importance of the Niagara Peninsula in the War of 1812
• Laura Secord's role as a loyalist and her contribution to the British war effort
• The significance of the Battle of Beaver Dams and its impact on the outcome of the war
• The controversy surrounding Laura Secord's legend and the recognition she received for her actions
• The role of Native warriors in the War of 1812

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

• The Outcome of the War of 1812: This section provides an overview of the War of 1812 and its impact on the development of both the United States and Canada. It introduces Laura Secord and her role in the British victory at Beaver Dams.
• Laura Secord's Heroic Actions: This section details Laura Secord's background and her journey from Queenston to Beaver Dams to warn the British of an impending American attack.
• The British and American Strategies: This section discusses the military strategies of both the British and American forces during the War of 1812, highlighting the importance of strategic locations like Queenston Heights and Fort George.
• Laura Secord's Involvement in the War: This section examines how Laura Secord's knowledge of the American plans led her to undertake her famous 32-kilometer walk to Beaver Dams. It explores the controversy surrounding her actions and the mystery of how she obtained the information.
• The Battle at Beaver Dams: This section describes the Battle of Beaver Dams, highlighting the decisive victory achieved by the British and Native troops due to Laura Secord's warning. It analyzes the strategic significance of this battle.
• Controversy Surrounding the Legend of Laura Secord: This section examines the ongoing debate about the extent of Laura Secord's contribution to the British victory and the recognition she received for her actions. It explores the role of historical narratives and the importance of recognizing the contributions of all involved.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The key topics and concepts explored in this paper include the War of 1812, the Battle of Beaver Dams, Laura Secord, loyalism, the Niagara Peninsula, strategic locations, military strategy, Native warriors, historical narratives, and the recognition of historical figures.

• Course: HIE 203: Canadian History
• Grade: A
• Author: Blake Sullivan (Author)
• Publication Year: 2015
• Pages: 8
• Catalog Number: V319372
• ISBN (eBook): 9783668188785
• ISBN (Book): 9783668188792
• Language: English
• Tags: Laura Secord, Canadian History, History, War of 1812, American Histoy