Français  Contact Us  Help  Search  Canada Site Volume 1 (1000–1754) Volume 2 (1755-1871) Volume 3 (1872–2000) CHAPTER 1 The Conquest CHAPTER 2 The Revolt of Pontiac and the American Invasion CHAPTER 3 The Coveted Pacific Coast CHAPTER 4 The Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812 A Relatively Peaceful Decade The Militias of the New Provinces The French Revolution Canada at War with France Tensions with the United States The Royal Canadian Volunteers Newfoundland Threatened The 1802 Peace The Battle of Trafalgar New Tensions in America Mobilization in Lower Canada The British and Canadian Forces The War of 1812 Canada's Defence Strategy American Fiascos New Invasions in the West The Americans Attack Upper Canada Laura Secord and Beaver Dams Objective: Montreal! The Battle of Chateauguay The Battle of Crysler's Farm The British Take Fort Niagara The 1814 Invasion of Canada The Battle for the Northwest The Race to Build Ships The British Defeat at Plattsburgh The War at Sea The Legacy of the War of 1812 CHAPTER 5 Demobilization CHAPTER 6 The Royal Navy, Ruler of the Seas CHAPTER 7 A Decade of Turbulence APPENDIX A The British Armed Forces APPENDIX B Daily Life of Soldiers and Officers APPENDIX C Uniforms and Arms APPENDIX D Reference      CHAPTER 4 The Napoleonic Wars and the War of 1812           New Tensions in America ( 2 pages )           1 2      Political Changes For Louisiana                The transfer of Louisiana from France to the United States at New Orleans, 20 December 1803 (Click image to enlarge) Naval security was, however, not the only matter of concern to Canadians.  New events required their attention.  Right after the peace of 1802 had been declared, Napoleon announced that France was retaking Louisiana.  This would mean that western Canada would immediately find itself neighbouring an immense French territory!  Nothing good could come of this, particularly when it was learned that a French prefect had arrived at New Orleans in March 1803 with a few officers, and an army of 3,700 men would soon be joining them to replace the Spanish.  The joy of the people of Louisiana, who were almost entirely of French descent, did not last.  When war against England resumed, Napoleon believed that Louisiana was impossible to defend and he sold it to the United States.  On December 20, 1803, the Stars and Stripes replaced the French flag at New Orleans.  This was the best geostrategic card Napoleon could have played, because Louisiana thus became part of a neutral nation, with no particular allegiance to the British.           1 2   Last Updated: 2004-06-20 Important Notices