David M. answered • 04/18/19
English, Writing, and SAT / ACT Educator at Your Service!
The correct answer that I believe this question pulls for is choice D) the Battle of New Orleans. This is based on the language of the question, referring to a U.S. victory that "occurred after peace was declared." The Battle of New Orleans occurred after peace between the British and U.S. forces had been declared, however news of the peace agreement (the Treaty of Ghent) did not reach the United States until after this battle had taken place. The battle was a victory for the U.S. forces in the city of New Orleans. This said, it is important to explore the other answer choices for this question as not all of them represent American defeats.
Choice A) the Battle of Fort McHenry represents more of a stalemate than a victory for either side. Because the battle represents an American repulsion of a British attack, the battle may be interpreted as a victory for U.S. forces, however the battle occurred before the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. This battle was witnessed by Francis Scott Key and influenced a poem he wrote which eventually became the United States' national anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
Choice B) the Battle of Washington also occurred before peace was declared, and represented a defeat for U.S. forces. British forces burned many government and military buildings in the U.S. capital, including the U.S. Capitol building, the U.S. Treasury building, the U.S. Department of War building, and the White House.
Choice C) the Battle of Yorktown represented a costly victory for U.S. forces, also prior to the signing of the peace treaty between British and U.S. forces. U.S. forces attacked the area around present day Toronto, succeeded in capturing a fort after suffering heavy casualties, and eventually withdrew back across the border into the United States.
