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American commander Oliver Hazard Perry defeats the British at the Battle of Lake Erie

A statue of a war of 1812 soldier

The War of 1812 was fought between the British Empire and the United States from 1812 to 1815 on land in North America and at sea. The British forces were helped by Canadian militia (volunteers) and Native Americans because British soldiers were busy fighting Napoleon I in Europe.

In nearly every battle, the British defeated the attacking American forces. The war increased nationalism in both Canada and the United States.