Why were these battles important?

Question:Why were these battles so important in the war of 1812?
-Queenston Heights
-The Burning of York
-The Burning of Wahington
-New Orleans

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Why were these battles so important in the war of 1812?
-Queenston Heights
-The Burning of York
-The Burning of Wahington
-New Orleans

The source is a decent overview of the major battles (including the ones you mention) of 1812. Also if you do a web search for each battle's name you'll find some very good resources and explanations.

The reason why no one has completely answered your question is because your question is too overreaching. You are looking for encyclopedia information/information that is easily accessible on the web. For any one person to give you a full answer would require too much time considering the number of other resources that contain the information you're looking for.

If you are having trouble understanding why a battle is significant, or what makes that battle significant, I encourage you to come back and ask a specific question, not an overreaching request for information that appears like you're trying to get others to do your work for you.

They were decisive battles during the war that had major impacts later on. Most importantly is the Battle of New Orleans, where 2-3000 US volunteers (only a few were actual soldiers) fought and defeated 14,000 British Red Coats that had fought in the wars against Napoleon only a few years earlier. This battle (though technically took place after the war) proved that the US could hold it's own in a war.

They showed that the young USA had greatly overstepped itself against the UK, now relieved of the pressure of Napoleon. Earlier, the US had once again attempted to take Canada, resulting in a series of humiliating defeats. Now the British were free to roam wherever they wished in their former colonies, perhaps the most humiliating being the new capital of Washington, where they burnt the White House just behind fleeing President Madison.

Perhaps the British were in a forgiving mood, once Napoleon was no longer a threat; perhaps they recalled the kind of warfare which had had them in a frenzy since 1781. In any case, they agreed to a treaty.

The New Orleans battle was fought after that treaty had been ratified by both countries, though, communications being what they were, neither force was aware that they were at peace.