HISTORY

Readiness

Until after World War II, U.S. forces typically took some time to be ready to effectively engage in combat. The War of 1812 was no different; in fact it shows a pretty normal progression. For the first six month of the war, the U.S. army was totally unprepared and it's failures on the battlefield in 1812 were a clear indication of this. It began to show some improvement in 1813, but it still could not show any consistent performance. By the middle 1814 however, the regular army was showing consistent successes (North Point, Plattsburg, New Orleans, etc.) despite being undermanned and undersupplied. So it took about one to two years for the army to be up to its task. Historically this is not unusual until 1945.

• Mexican American War: Although the American Army performs well from the start, it also vastly outnumbered its opponent. Still the results are inclusive until Scott's campaign in May of 1847. Since war was declared in May 1846, that represents a full year for the army to get ready against a vastly outnumbered and outgunned opponent.
• U.S. Civil War: In this conflict, U.S. Army forces do not begin to win significant and/or consistent victories until July of 1863, over two years from the start of the war in April 1861.
• Spanish American War: This is the exception to the rule. Having declared war in April the U.S. Army is achieving success by July the same year. It should be noted thought that the Spanish were vastly outclassed in all respects. Still it ranks as the only time we showed consistent progress in less than six months.
• World War I: Although we declared war in April 1917, U.S. forces don't see significant combat until May-June 1918. Our first major offensive does not start until September 1918; a year an a half after declaring war.
• World War II: The first six months of the war was a string of U.S. army defeats, performance similar to than that of 1812. In the main theatre of war, Europe, U.S. forces don't get going until November 1942 and don't show consistent performance until July of 1943 … a year to a year and a half after the war starts.

All in all, U.S. Army performance in 1812 is not out of line with army performance until 1945.