Not Your Average War: The War of 1812 Essay example

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and Great Britain from June 1812 to the spring of 1815 (Findling, 15). When the war began, it was being fought by the Americans to address their grievances toward the British, though toward the end, the issues eventually were unjustified and reasons manipulated. There is no single cause for the War of 1812 but instead, several related causes, such the influence of the War Hawks, the impressments as well as the Embargo and Non-Intercourse acts, and the British's possible interference with the Indian Nations, and land ownership disputes between the Natives and Americans, ultimately leading to the Battle of Tippecanoe.

The War of 1812 was fought between the United States and England. Ending in 1815 with the Treaty of Ghent, the war did not accomplish any of the issues it was being fought over. For the US, the War of 1812 seemed to just be one failure after another. Although the military suffered great failure during the war, these were the direct consequence of the failure of the citizens to unite for the causes of the war. Because of these failures, it is quite valid to call the War of 1812 "America's worst-fought war".

The War of 1812 was started by America due to British encroachment on three fronts, trade restrictions imposed by the British, the increasing alliances of the British with Indian tribes blocking American expansion West, and due to British interference with merchant class ships in the Atlantic. The war was fought in the Great Lakes region between America and Canada, near New Orleans in the Gulf of Mexico, in the Atlantic trade routes, and around Washington DC. The British had always considered the American insurrection in the 1770s to be a temporary event, their continued battles within the European continent as well as the rest of the British empire had proven to be too distracting to keep a solid check on North America. The British also had not anticipated a war in North America in the lead up to the war of 1812 due to the fragility of the American states, leading to the hubris Britain retained in its relations with the young United States of America.

On June 1, 1812, the United States’ fourth President James Madison signed a declaration of war against Britain approved by Congress. This is obscurely known as the War of 1812, which was also the first war of the 19th century and lasted from 1812 to the spring of 1815. The War of 1812 is widely known as the “forgotten war” because the war has left very little to the popular memory. Despite the opposition from an entire region, mainly the Federalists, of the United States for the War of 1812, there were many reasons for the United States to commence the war. The War of 1812 was caused by numerous reasons including British impressment of American sailors and their refusal to acknowledge American neutrality rights, the United States’ widespread belief the British were encouraging Indian rebellion, the actions of some newly-elected Congressmen dubbed the “War Hawks,” and the American desire for more land.

The War of 1812 was caused by the many conflicts with Great Britain and France. Even though the United States had made many efforts to stay out of the Napoleonic Wars, the conflict was not avoided. The United States had three primary reasons for declaring war: impressments and violations of trading rights, Indian conflicts, and a desire for western territory.

To understand the War of 1812 we have to look at the Napoleonic Wars for it was during this time that both Great Britain and France began to harass American trade ships. The United States attempted to remain neutral; they wanted to have peaceful trade with both countries but France and Great Britain began to restrict American

The War of 1812 is often referred to as the United States's second war of independence because, like the Revolutionary War, it was fought against Great Britain. The Conflict resulted from the clash between American nationalism and the war Britain and its allies were waging against the empire of Napoleonic France. Many Americans believed that England sought to humiliate the United States, limit its growth, and perhaps even impose a quasi‐colonial status upon its former colonies.

The eighteenth and nineteenth centuries were a period of constant war within North America. From the Seven Years War of 1754 to American Revolution of 1775 and the war of 1812, just to name a few. The War of 1812 is, however, the most peculiar of them all. It was imposed by Madison upon a nation that was unenthusiastic and hesitant to fight.The main reasons that led to the declaration of the war were led by a motivation to preserve and maintain national honour in face of what Americans considered British insults. The British wanted to restrict the American trade with Napoleonic France, which was of highly profit, that America won in a long conflict against them. The British Navy seized American ships and American sailors

across 6 states, allowing the nation to be tied together and to be utilized for internal commerce. Later in Jefferson’s term he set a law that potentially was one of the worst notions during his presidency. In 1807 the Embargo Act was placed with the purpose of attempting to prevent foreign tension with France and Britain by not allowing American ships to any foreign ports and eliminated international trade. “The embargo, however, backfired and brought greater economic hardship to the United States than Britain” (Newman and Schmalbach. 136). While Jefferson’s attempt to preserve the economy failed once he passed the Embargo Act, he later at least recognized his doings during his presidency that it must be repealed. The embargo eventually got repealed in 1809, during James Madison’s term.

The War of 1812 was fought between the new and fragile United States against the British Empire, Canadian Provinces and a few Woodland Indian Tribes. The War of 1812 was an attempt by the Americans to establish their dominance in North America by conquest of the British owned Canadian Provinces. With an under supplied and undermanned army and navy the United States managed to scrape up a stalemate with the British. The British, with the defeat of Napoleon, turn back toward the Old World to establish their presence as the greatest empire in Europe. The Treaty of Ghent was signed by both, the British

The War of 1812 began when the United States decided they wanted to declare war on Britain. The causes that led up the bold decision made by the United States was because of , restricted trade, and the need for expansion of the United States territory. The United States was economically, financially and socially impaired compared to Great Britain. Great Britain was seen as the powerful mother country. The consequences of declaring war on Britain included the burning of the White House in Washington D.C. The war involved fighting with Great Britain and the Indians. The Indians received victories because they decided to side with Great Britain.

The United States found themselves in a war with one of the world’s most powerful nations in the summer of 1812. Although America had gained independence from Great Britain in 1783, it was thought by the people this would be the second war for independence. Britain was acutely/extremely embittered with America not siding with them during the French Revolution. Therefore, Great Britain agitated America till their snapping point. In response, America declared war.

On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war on Great Britain. The peace treaty to end the war was signed in Europe, 1814. The war lasted from 1812 to the spring of 1815 because there was a delay in communications. It was fought along the Canadian border, along with several sea battles. By the time the war was over the United States lost 2,260 soldiers, and the British 1,600 soldiers. The war of 1812 was a very significant event that took place in the U.S. It did in fact confirm America’s independence. That is why it is often referred to as “the second war of independence or “the second revolutionary war.

The War of 1812 was a long, drawn out, unnecessary war between the United States and Great Britain, which ended on odd terms and odd beliefs. Through the many battles and signed treaties, there never seemed to be a true winner.

Twenty-nine years after the signing of the Treaty of Paris of 1783, which ended the Revolutionary War between America and Britain, was the year that marked the beginning of a new conflict that would last America the next three years, the War of 1812. On June 16th of that year, President James Madison declared the start of a war that would greatly impact the future of our country. Britain, still one of the world's greatest superpowers, was currently warring with France at the time of the declaration, however, Britain's reputation as a formidable opponent stood strong. The War of 1812 held a great significance in the history of America: Reasonable purposes for conflict, major conflict with Native Americans, great controversy among its supporters and opposers, numerous honorable battles, the inclusion of African Americans in the war, a memorable conclusion, and notable results.