Legacy of the War of 1812

Despite the sectional divides and the overall futility of the war, the United States emerged from the War of 1812 with a newfound sense of enthusiasm and national pride. Though the nation had neither lost nor gained territory, Jackson’s smashing victory at New Orleans gave the nation a previously unknown feeling of confidence. To Americans, the battle proved once and for all that the United States was an independent nation, not just a rogue colony. For this reason, many historians refer to the War of 1812 as America’s second war for independence.

Popular pages: The Constitution (1781–1815)