Snap Debate 4/2/13

Today in class we all were split into groups based on what we thought was the most significant event during the lead up of the war of 1812. I was in the group the Chesapeake Affair. The Chesapeake Affair was when 4 of the British's navy soldiers (3 of which were American) had been stolen and impressed by the British. They ended up escaping back to America and the British went as far as shooting at the Chesapeake ship, which was holding the stolen soldiers. I believed this was the most important event because this was the first real violent interaction between the U.S. and the British. It was also the only actually physical attack on the Americans too. The Impressment was similar, it just discussed how Britain was snatching people randomly and forcing them to be apart of their navy, which is what happened in the Chesapeake Affair. The Orders in Council was the discussion of how the English cut off all trade between America and France. This was very significant but not as close to the Chesapeake Affair because again this was the first real physical altercation. Last was the Incitement. This was when Britain was arming and organizing the indians west of the Appalachian Mountains and setting them up to attack the U.S. A lot of people argued this was most significant because it was the most up close and personal attack between the two countries but I think it wasn't something that couldn't have been taken care of. If we really wanted too I'm sure we could've handled the indians where as the ship attack was random and nobody even saw it coming which is why it was more dangerous, and significant.