How_Russia_Was_Involved_in_the_Treaty_of_Ghent

Although The United States of America got their independence after writing the Declaration of Independence, they did not truly get their liberty until after the War of 1812. The war of 1812 was fought between the United States of America and the British. The war was mainly fought over trading (Britain did not want the United States of America to trade with France because they had an ongoing war at the time), Britain had been forcing American settlers to join the British Navy, and also America’s desire to expand their territory. The result of the War of 1812, lead to the creation of the Treaty of Ghent. The Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24th of 1814 in modern day Belgium ending the war. It was signed in Belgium because Belgium was a neutral country in the problems between the British and Americans. During this time in history Russia played a role in mediating the Treaty of Ghent. They had an under lying reason as to why they wanted to get involved with the Treaty. Russia at the time was an enemy of Britain. “The famous accords signed at Tilist had the practical effect of diving Europe between France and Russia and also committed Russia to adhere to the continental blockade through which France hoped to undermine British commerce and finances,”1 written by Gregory L. Freeze, shows an example of how the Russians tried helping the French by making the British less powerful. They did this because Britain had particular things that Russia had wanted. The relationship the United States of America and Russia can be summarized by the quote “The enemy of my enemy is my ally”. In this case both countries were enemies of Britain. Russia believed that being on the side of the Americans could possibly benefit them somehow and also take away from their enemies, the British. Around the time of the conflicts between Britain and The United States, Russia was trying to expand their country. “Perhaps, more far-sighted and stronger rulers could have achieved more than Alexander and Nicholas in transforming Russia into a modern state, but it must be kept in mind that the Tsars faced intractable problems,”2 written by Abraham Ascher, describes how the Tsars, who were the people in charge of Russia at the time, faced problems with modernizing Russia and also expanding it. The problems mostly had to do with how much power Britain had and much it had controlled throughout not only Europe but also the world. During this time in history most countries were forming navies or already had established a navy. The Russians though, had a problem when it came to forming a navy. Russia controlled no seas/oceans to allow their future navy to go on. All the bodies of water were either frozen or controlled by Britain. Britain controlled the Strait of Gibraltar, and had access to North Sea, Celtic Sea, and others. Russia tried to find a way to take control of seas owned by Britain so that they could form their navy. “In foreign affairs, he claimed to cherish peace and yet he waged aggressive wars against Persia, Turkey, and Sweden that enable him to expand along the Black and Caspian Seas,”3 written by Geoffrey Hosking, shows an example of Russian ruler Nicholas Tsar trying to take control of bodies of water owned by Turkey, Sweden, and Persia. Russia believed that becoming allies with the United States of America and meditating while the Treaty of Ghent was being signed would benefit them. They thought it could specifically benefit them because the treaty could’ve possibly given American some of Britain’s land, chokepoints, or bodies of water. If they were allies with the Americans and the Americans gained control of bodies of water useable to the Russians, then the Russians could possibly use the bodies of water for the navy that they wanted to create. Russia tried getting what they wanted without actually having to go to war with Britain to take it. Word Count: 667 Endnotes 1 Gregory L. Freeze, page 175 2 Abraham Ascher, pg 80 3 Geoffrey Hosking, pg 250 Works Cited Ascher, Abraham. Russia A Short History 2009, Lillington, One World Publications Freeze, Gregory L. Russia A History 2009, New York, Oxford University Press Inc. Hosking, Geoffrey Russia and the Russians A History 2003, USA, First Harvard University Press