The outbreak of the War of 1812…
July 1812 CE
Britain is heavily engaged in the Napoleonic Wars, most of the British Army is deployed in the Peninsular War (in Portugal and Spain), and the Royal Navy is compelled to blockade most of the coast of Europe.
The number of British regular troops present in Canada in July 1812 is officially stated to be 6,034, supported by Canadian militia.
Throughout the war, the British Secretary of State for War and the Colonies will be Earl Bathurst.
For the first two years of the war, he will be able to spare few troops to reinforce North America and will urge the commander-in-chief in North America (Lieutenant General Sir George Prévost) to maintain a defensive strategy.
The naturally cautious Prévost will follow these instructions, concentrating on defending Lower Canada at the expense of Upper Canada (which is more vulnerable to American attacks) and allowing few offensive actions.