24. A Lasting Impact on North America
The surrender of Fort Detroit was a military disaster for the US, and its impact on the political map of North America has lasted into the present. It derailed American plans to invade and seize Canada early in the war, before the British could rush in reinforcements. It reinvigorated the Canadians, who had been pessimistic about the prospects of resisting forcible annexation by the US. It also fired up Native Americans in the Northwest Territory to war against US outposts and settlers.
An American invasion of Canada was attempted later on, but by then the British and loyal Canadians were better prepared and more confident, and forced the invaders back across the border. As to general Hull, after his release from British captivity, he was tried, convicted, and sentenced to be shot. However, his life was spared out of consideration for his heroism decades earlier during the American Revolution.
