Papers by Nicholas James Kaizer
The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord
The Northern Mariner / Le marin du nord, 2021
The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was a time of unprecedented naval success for the Un... more The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was a time of unprecedented naval success for the United Kingdom. By 1812, after nineteen years of warfare, the Royal Navy had won every major battle and maintained a choking blockade over the ports of France and her allies. When war broke out with the United States in 1812 many hoped that the new conflict meant a fresh period of prizes, glory, and honour. By the end of the year, however, five British ships had been defeated in action by their American counterparts. For the British, it was as shocking as it was depressing. British naval historiography tends to focus on victory, and in this period, there were plenty of victories to study. But these losses and the reactions to them provide an interesting case study to examine the post-Nelsonic Royal Navy culture and fighting spirit. This thesis examines how the navy reacted to the losses culturally through an examination of the defenses made by the defeated officers of 1812 and their receptions in Courts Martial held after the loss of a ship. These naval officers understood their losses not as the result of vastly superior enemy firepower but instead as contests which they could have won if not for a lack of fortune. The naval-interested public did not agree, and instead justified their own insecurities regarding their beloved naval heroes by clinging to the impressive broadsides of America’s heavy frigates like USS Constitution. The Admiralty responded to the defeats and resulting public uproar with cautious policies in the North American Squadron. The captains of the North American Squadron, however, were not sympathetic to the cautious policies. Their desire to avenge British honour resulted in the issuing of challenges which weakened Britain’s efforts to blockade the United States and, except for the successful Shannon-Chesapeake action, were in vain.
The British Royal navy entered the War of 1812 expecting victory. Naval victories of the previous... more The British Royal navy entered the War of 1812 expecting victory. Naval victories of the previous two decades and the mythos of Lord Nelson had built a naval culture accustomed to aggressive action and victory against all odds. No one expected the tiny United States Navy to triumph, and yet by the year’s end three British frigates and two sloops had been defeated in single ship actions against American opponents.
Whereas British ships had defeated much heavier French and Spanish forces during the Great Wars, by the end of 1812 British frigates seemed unable to cope with the powerful American heavy frigates such as the famous USS Constitution and their superbly trained crews. This realization and the impact of the losses sent shockwaves through the British sphere.
While these loses did not ultimately affect the outcomes of the war, they had a strong impact on contemporaries, naval and civilian alike, and led to unprecedented steps on behalf of the British naval administration and a drive for vengeance within the navy. This volume explores the socio-cultural effects of the single ship naval actions during the War of 1812, which captivated the British and American world during the last Anglo-American war.
Helion & Company, 2020
A side-show it may have been, but the public of Halifax were engrossed by the War of 1812, partic... more A side-show it may have been, but the public of Halifax were engrossed by the War of 1812, particularly the shocking naval losses of 1812 and the spectacular victory of HMS Shannon.
From research explored in:
Kaizer, Nicholas James. Revenge in the Name of Honour: The Royal Navy’s Quest for Vengeance in the Single Ship Actions of the War of 1812. Warwick: Helion & Company, 2020
Graduate Course Paper examining army and societal virtues in The Recollections of Rifleman Harris... more Graduate Course Paper examining army and societal virtues in The Recollections of Rifleman Harris, one of the view narratives published in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars from the viewpoint of an ordinary soldier. Army virtues, such as bravery and heroism, are present and important, but not absolute, in Harris' world. Furthermore, Harris' account does not reflect the deeply patriotic society in which it was published, and appears to better reflect the motivations and mindset of the ordinary British soldier - a possible factor in the narrative's lack of commercial success.
During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815), the armies of the French Republi... more During the French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars (1792-1815), the armies of the French Republic and Empire performed very well – for much of this period, France dominated Europe. However, the oceans were a different matter. The British Royal Navy enjoyed a long period of spectacular naval operational success, allowing Britain to maintain and expand its colonial empire, protect its extensive seaborne trade, and protect British territory from the French armies which had overrun much of Europe. There were many factors in the navy’s success, such as its administration or shortcomings of its enemies.
This thesis explores the role of the Royal Navy’s various rules, regulations, and traditions on its effectiveness. The Royal Navy used the allure of prize money to motivate its personnel, and used the threat of unemployment to motivate its officers. Many regulations and traditions ensured that the naval officer corps was strong and fit for service. Above all, the navy cultivated and encouraged a “fighting spirit” or an “offensive ethos” among personnel. Through the above-mentioned motivations and threats, along with the Navy’s official Articles of War and various incarnations of Fighting Instructions, officers and crewmen were encouraged to conform to the navy’s offensive ethos. They were encouraged to engage the enemy whenever possible, even against superior odds. As victories mounted during the late Eighteenth Century and into the Napoleonic Wars, morale soared in the Royal Navy, causing the men of the fleet to openly seek battles with the enemy and to fully expect victory even against superior odds. It was a strategy which cultivated good morale in the Royal Navy and ensured that the fleet was able to fulfill Britain’s war aims
Gunpowder arrived in Europe from Asia in the 13th century. It was first used militarily by mediev... more Gunpowder arrived in Europe from Asia in the 13th century. It was first used militarily by medieval armies in bombards, large gunpowder-fired siege guns. By the late 17th and 18th centuries gunpowder weapons were the dominant weapons used on European battlefields. The prevalence and importance of gunpowder weapons rose during the Renaissance period, between roughly 1350 and 1550. When Charles VIII of France invaded Italy in 1494, Italians were shocked at the power of his siege canons, and during the later phases of the Italians Wars, both artillery and handguns became increasingly common in battles. Gunpowder weaponry was not as important to warfare during the Renaissance as they would become in later periods, however technological developments of and tactical usage of gunpowder weapons did impact the Italian Wars. Siege guns proved to be very effective and led to the creation of new types of fortresses. Field artillery and firearms had a more limited impact on warfare but were still important weapons.
The sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries were a transformative time period for the global enviro... more The sixteenth to the nineteenth centuries were a transformative time period for the global environment. European led imperialism, the Scientific Revolution, and industrialism resulted in massive and widespread changes to environments worldwide. For better or for worse, the European philosophy of nature is very different from that of many areas of the world. Centuries of European imperialism resulted in the European world view becoming the dominant global governing philosophy. It also expanded the western scientific method created during the Scientific Revolution. Industrialism, a process which began in Great Britain, dramatically changed environments, economies, and views of nature worldwide. Naval and sea power of various Western nations, in particular Great Britain (formerly as England), played a key role in this transformation and its expansion throughout the world. Naval Power depended on natural resources, and in turn dramatically altered natural environments through its role in the Scientific Revolution and imperial expansion.
In an excerpt of his book, The History of Italy, Francesco Guicciardini discusses the 1494 French... more In an excerpt of his book, The History of Italy, Francesco Guicciardini discusses the 1494 French invasion of the Italian peninsula in both a political and a military context. Guicciardini states that the forces available to Italian states were inferior to the French forces, and discusses how military tactics and technology are changing warfare during the renaissance. Guicciardini was born in 1483 in Florence, eleven years before the events of the invasion that he described later in his life. While still young at the time which the events took place, his work drew upon various government records available to him during his career serving the Spanish, Papal, and Florentine courts. Through his career he attained experience in governance, diplomacy, and warfare. Guicciardini’s account of the 1494 invasion of Italy by France provides historians with a good account of the nature of warfare during the period depicted because of the reliability of the author and what it says about the transformation of warfare during the renaissance.
During the late 1800s and early 1900s, British foreign policy shifted. From the Middle Ages until... more During the late 1800s and early 1900s, British foreign policy shifted. From the Middle Ages until the nineteenth century, Britain’s primary enemy had been France, and Britain had often been an ally of German states. However, by the first decade of the 1900s Britain was informally allied with France and its relations with the German Empire were deteriorating. The decline of relations between the United Kingdom and Germany was the result of Anglo-German rivalry which developed during the 1890s and intensified into the 20th century. Economic, industrial, and colonial competition from Germany irritated the British, but the most contentious issue was the rapid and costly expansion of the Kaiserliche Marine. This was seen as a threat to Britain’s national security, and so Britain responded with many reforms and expensive construction programs. This costly naval race was a result of Germany’s desire to enhance its own world influence and Britain’s desire to retain its naval supremacy, the high regard the Kaiser had for naval power, Germany’s desire to become a world power, and the importance of Britain’s navy to its own security. Neither side was willing to relent during the race, which resulted in an intense naval arms race and the construction of two powerful and innovative dreadnought battle fleets on either side of the North Sea.
Books by Nicholas James Kaizer
The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was a time of unprecedented naval success for the Un... more The French Revolutionary and Napoleonic Wars was a time of unprecedented naval success for the United Kingdom. By 1812, after nineteen years of warfare, the Royal Navy had won every major battle and maintained a choking blockade over the ports of France and her allies. When war broke out with the United States in 1812 many hoped that the new conflict meant a fresh period of prizes, glory, and honour. By the end of the year, however, five British ships had been defeated in action by their American counterparts. For the British, it was as shocking as it was depressing.
British naval historiography tends to focus on victory, and in this period, there were plenty of victories to study. But these losses and the reactions to them provide an interesting case study to examine the post-Nelsonic Royal Navy culture and fighting spirit. This thesis examines how the navy reacted to the losses culturally through an examination of the defenses made by the defeated officers of 1812 and their receptions in Courts Martial held after the loss of a ship. These naval officers understood their losses not as the result of vastly superior enemy firepower but instead as contests which they could have won if not for a lack of fortune. The naval-interested public did not agree, and instead justified their own insecurities regarding their beloved naval heroes by clinging to the impressive broadsides of America’s heavy frigates like USS Constitution.
The Admiralty responded to the defeats and resulting public uproar with cautious policies in the North American Squadron. The captains of the North American Squadron, however, were not sympathetic to the cautious policies. Their desire to avenge British honour resulted in the issuing of challenges which weakened Britain’s efforts to blockade the United States and, except for the successful Shannon-Chesapeake action, were in vain.
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Papers by Nicholas James Kaizer
Whereas British ships had defeated much heavier French and Spanish forces during the Great Wars, by the end of 1812 British frigates seemed unable to cope with the powerful American heavy frigates such as the famous USS Constitution and their superbly trained crews. This realization and the impact of the losses sent shockwaves through the British sphere.
While these loses did not ultimately affect the outcomes of the war, they had a strong impact on contemporaries, naval and civilian alike, and led to unprecedented steps on behalf of the British naval administration and a drive for vengeance within the navy. This volume explores the socio-cultural effects of the single ship naval actions during the War of 1812, which captivated the British and American world during the last Anglo-American war.
From research explored in:
Kaizer, Nicholas James. Revenge in the Name of Honour: The Royal Navy’s Quest for Vengeance in the Single Ship Actions of the War of 1812. Warwick: Helion & Company, 2020
This thesis explores the role of the Royal Navy’s various rules, regulations, and traditions on its effectiveness. The Royal Navy used the allure of prize money to motivate its personnel, and used the threat of unemployment to motivate its officers. Many regulations and traditions ensured that the naval officer corps was strong and fit for service. Above all, the navy cultivated and encouraged a “fighting spirit” or an “offensive ethos” among personnel. Through the above-mentioned motivations and threats, along with the Navy’s official Articles of War and various incarnations of Fighting Instructions, officers and crewmen were encouraged to conform to the navy’s offensive ethos. They were encouraged to engage the enemy whenever possible, even against superior odds. As victories mounted during the late Eighteenth Century and into the Napoleonic Wars, morale soared in the Royal Navy, causing the men of the fleet to openly seek battles with the enemy and to fully expect victory even against superior odds. It was a strategy which cultivated good morale in the Royal Navy and ensured that the fleet was able to fulfill Britain’s war aims
Books by Nicholas James Kaizer
British naval historiography tends to focus on victory, and in this period, there were plenty of victories to study. But these losses and the reactions to them provide an interesting case study to examine the post-Nelsonic Royal Navy culture and fighting spirit. This thesis examines how the navy reacted to the losses culturally through an examination of the defenses made by the defeated officers of 1812 and their receptions in Courts Martial held after the loss of a ship. These naval officers understood their losses not as the result of vastly superior enemy firepower but instead as contests which they could have won if not for a lack of fortune. The naval-interested public did not agree, and instead justified their own insecurities regarding their beloved naval heroes by clinging to the impressive broadsides of America’s heavy frigates like USS Constitution.
The Admiralty responded to the defeats and resulting public uproar with cautious policies in the North American Squadron. The captains of the North American Squadron, however, were not sympathetic to the cautious policies. Their desire to avenge British honour resulted in the issuing of challenges which weakened Britain’s efforts to blockade the United States and, except for the successful Shannon-Chesapeake action, were in vain.
Whereas British ships had defeated much heavier French and Spanish forces during the Great Wars, by the end of 1812 British frigates seemed unable to cope with the powerful American heavy frigates such as the famous USS Constitution and their superbly trained crews. This realization and the impact of the losses sent shockwaves through the British sphere.
While these loses did not ultimately affect the outcomes of the war, they had a strong impact on contemporaries, naval and civilian alike, and led to unprecedented steps on behalf of the British naval administration and a drive for vengeance within the navy. This volume explores the socio-cultural effects of the single ship naval actions during the War of 1812, which captivated the British and American world during the last Anglo-American war.
From research explored in:
Kaizer, Nicholas James. Revenge in the Name of Honour: The Royal Navy’s Quest for Vengeance in the Single Ship Actions of the War of 1812. Warwick: Helion & Company, 2020
This thesis explores the role of the Royal Navy’s various rules, regulations, and traditions on its effectiveness. The Royal Navy used the allure of prize money to motivate its personnel, and used the threat of unemployment to motivate its officers. Many regulations and traditions ensured that the naval officer corps was strong and fit for service. Above all, the navy cultivated and encouraged a “fighting spirit” or an “offensive ethos” among personnel. Through the above-mentioned motivations and threats, along with the Navy’s official Articles of War and various incarnations of Fighting Instructions, officers and crewmen were encouraged to conform to the navy’s offensive ethos. They were encouraged to engage the enemy whenever possible, even against superior odds. As victories mounted during the late Eighteenth Century and into the Napoleonic Wars, morale soared in the Royal Navy, causing the men of the fleet to openly seek battles with the enemy and to fully expect victory even against superior odds. It was a strategy which cultivated good morale in the Royal Navy and ensured that the fleet was able to fulfill Britain’s war aims
British naval historiography tends to focus on victory, and in this period, there were plenty of victories to study. But these losses and the reactions to them provide an interesting case study to examine the post-Nelsonic Royal Navy culture and fighting spirit. This thesis examines how the navy reacted to the losses culturally through an examination of the defenses made by the defeated officers of 1812 and their receptions in Courts Martial held after the loss of a ship. These naval officers understood their losses not as the result of vastly superior enemy firepower but instead as contests which they could have won if not for a lack of fortune. The naval-interested public did not agree, and instead justified their own insecurities regarding their beloved naval heroes by clinging to the impressive broadsides of America’s heavy frigates like USS Constitution.
The Admiralty responded to the defeats and resulting public uproar with cautious policies in the North American Squadron. The captains of the North American Squadron, however, were not sympathetic to the cautious policies. Their desire to avenge British honour resulted in the issuing of challenges which weakened Britain’s efforts to blockade the United States and, except for the successful Shannon-Chesapeake action, were in vain.