Open AccessFor Fate and Fortune: American Privateers in the War of 1812
Author(s) -
Brandon Lee Harrison
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
the general brock university undergraduate journal of history
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2371-8048
DOI - 10.26522/gbuujh.v2i0.1485
Subject(s) - navy , history , chose , power (physics) , vietnam war , livelihood , spanish civil war , subject (documents) , law , political science , archaeology , library science , physics , quantum mechanics , computer science , agriculture
Despite their importance to the maritime war effort, American privateers and letter-of-marques are often overlooked by historians concerned with the War of 1812. Although they did not represent a formal branch of the American naval force, they served to inflict more damage on British commerce than the entire United States Navy combined. These men risked their lives by sailing against the world's most formidable naval force. Countless men lost their lives aboard American privateers and others saw their livelihoods (ships) destroyed at the hands of the British. The question of why these men chose to engage in such a perilous activity has perplexed historians for decades. This paper looks to cast new light on the subject, revealing the often overlooked power money has to encourage these men's participation in an otherwise perilous activity.Professor: Dr. Renée Lafferty-SalhanyCourse: HIST 4P10Grade Recieved: 92%