Open AccessDefying Notions of Nineteenth Century Masculine Honour in the War of 1812: The Case of the American Burning of Newark, December 1813
Author(s) -
Amanda Balyk
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.v2i0.1491
Subject(s) - honour , spanish civil war , history , state (computer science) , law , george (robot) , masculinity , ancient history , classics , sociology , political science , archaeology , gender studies , art history , algorithm , computer science
The Burning of Newark was a key moment in the War of 1812 that exemplifies the viciousness of war and is often described as an atrocity with intense repercussions for both sides. Historians have discussed the burning of Newark and its implications but this paper sheds new light on the topic by evaluating how the burning of Newark represents a direct defiance of masculine honour as it was expected from soldiers during the war. By evaluating communications between American General George McClure and American Secretary of State John Armstrong it becomes clear that when their own masculine honour is questioned, it became critical for them to retaliate and defend their own honour. Their defense shows that there is a clear line in war that should not be crossed to maintain one’s honour, and when it is crossed it is essential to defend their actions and thereby their honour. This paper further evaluates war claim losses to reveal who was affected by the burning, what was lost and what this means for McClure in his defiance of masculine honour.