In Mansfield Park, Tom asks Dr. Grant, “A strange business this in America, Dr. Grant! What is your opinion? I always come to you to know what I am to think of public matters” (2^nd ed., p141). This “strange business” in America could be referred to the War of 1812.

The War of 1812 was the conflict fought between the United States and Great Britain over British violations of U.S. maritime rights. It ended with the exchange of ratifications of the Treaty of Ghent.

Some regard the American Revolution War and the War of 1812 two wars of liberation. If the American Revolution was the birth of the United States, the War of 1812 was its coming of age.