Chapter 5

THE THEATRE OF OPERATIONS

Limitations on American action through deficient sea power 283

Warfare against commerce considered 284

Its financial and political effects 285

Its military bearing 285

Distinction between military and commercial blockade 286

Commercial blockade identical in essence with commerce-destroying by cruisers 287

Recognition of this by Napoleon 287

Commerce destruction by blockade the weapon of the stronger navy; by cruisers, of the weaker 288

Inefficiency of the American Government shown in the want of naval preparation 289

Conditions in the army even worse 290

Jefferson's sanguine expectations 291

Propriety of the invasion of Canada discussed 292

The United States, weak on the seaboard, relatively strong towards Canada 295

Function of the seaboard in the war; defensive 296

Offensive opportunity essential to any scheme of defence 298

Application of this principle; in general, and to 1812 298

Conditions on the Canada frontier, favoring the offensive by the United States 300

Importance of the Great Lakes to military operations 301

Over-confidence of Americans 303

Corresponding apprehension of British officers 304

Decisive points on the line between the countries 305

Importance of the Indians as an element in the situation 306

Proper offensive policy of the United States 307

Natural advantages favoring the United States 309

The land frontier the proper scene of American offensive action 310

Seaboard conditions, for offence and defence 311