The War of 1812: Independence Secured (Perspectives Library: History Perspectives)

The young United States declares war on Great Britain, a global superpower, when it tried to control North American trade with Europe. Experience the drama unfold through first-hand accounts as the United States asserts its independence and sovereignty. The History Perspectives series uses primary and secondary sources, along with narrative retelling, to highlight the wants, needs, and beliefs of three different people of a particular time and place. Readers are prompted to compare perspectives and motivations and to think critically about how we tell the stories of the past.

Amy Van Zee is an editor and writer who lives with her family near Minneapolis, Minnesota. She has a bachelor’s degree in English from the University of Minnesota and has contributed to dozens of educational books.