The Chesapeake Leopard incident was one of the events that led up to the War of 1812. In June 1807 in Virginia, the American Chesapeake was stopped by the British ship Leopard, whose commander demanded the surrender of four sailors. Upon the refusal of the American commander, Captain James Barron, to give up the men, the Leopard opened fire. The American vessel, was unprepared for battle.
I believe that the Chesapeake was correct in the decision to refuse the British captain's request. I strongly believe this because there was no proof of the British sayings. The whole concept of America being independent from Britain would go against their beliefs by giving the four sailors. The idea of the incident being closer to shore would not have helped. It would only have led to bad consequences because if by the shore it would have injured innocent lives by the battle. However, America should have begun to prepare themselves for war instead of declaring the war. The Chesapeake would not have been defeated if they had been more militarily prepared.
America should not have had to spend a copious amount on the military and being stable would have helped them be prepared. The British should have retrieved themselves and by them kidnapping sailors was not such a great cause for them to go to war. They did not have evidence to know whether or not the fugitive sailors were on a boat, and taking by taking the sailors was wrong. The American leaders were not responsible for the fugitives because they left out on their on will. However, the fugitives could also be blamed because they chose to not stay with their ship.
Giving the men to the British army would go against the American beliefs as well as the Treaty of Paris that was signed after the War of Independence by both the British and Americans due to the fact that America did not have to follow their direction anymore.
ReplyDeleteI keep seeing the same idea in many of our classmates blogs. The idea of evidence is greatly thought of.
ReplyDeleteI agree that the americans we not responsible for the british sailors having left their own ship. additionally, it was known that the life on British ships was like hell, so that adds to the reason as to why they'd wish to leave.
ReplyDeleteI agree that America is not responsible for the fugitives because they left on their own will.
ReplyDeleteI agree when you said that America should not have spent a lot of money on military supplies.
ReplyDeleteI agree with you that the Chesapeake made the right decision in refusing the British in their demands. The British had no right.
ReplyDelete