War of 1812 E44 Empire Awakened: Britain Brings the Fight to U.S. Shores

The War of 1812 had already tested the resilience of the young United States. American victories, like Perry’s triumph on Lake Erie, were hard-fought and came at a heavy cost. The British, were adjusting their strategy, tightening their grip on U.S. waters, and preparing to escalate the war. As Napoleon’s downfall freed British forces in Europe, the full weight of the British military machine was shifting toward America.

By 1814, the Marines found themselves at the center of the conflict, from brutal ship-to-ship engagements to reinforcing key defensive positions. Washington itself was now under threat. British commanders debated whether to strike the U.S. capital, knowing the risks of such an audacious move. But as their forces advanced, American defenses struggled to keep pace. The battle for Washington was imminent, and the Marines were about to take their stand.

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