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War Of 1812 Dbq Essay

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Before the 19th century, the United States was a small, developing country. Later, it transformed into a world power. The size of the United States was tripled because of acquisitions such as The Louisiana Purchase, the Mexican Cession with adding Alaska, Florida, Oregon, and Texas. One of the events that caused this expansion was the War of 1812. This war is sometimes called “America’s second war for independence”. The reason it was viewed as a second war because the United States had already gained their independence, and Great Britain was interfering with the American affairs. Other contributing causes for the war were the Embargo Act of 1807, issues of trade, and “war hawks”. At that time, it was odd when nation enters a war when the …show more content…

It stopped any American ship from sailing to foreign ports and it closed trade with Europe. Instead of disturbing Great Britain’s economy, it impacted the United States negatively and its economy declined. “ Jefferson’s embargo failed from the beginning…Merchants in New England howled at the loss of their greatest industry: oceangoing commerce. The value of American exports plummeted from $48 million in 1807 to $ 9 million a year later” (America, 250). While the United States was hurt by the embargo, the British enjoyed their trade business with Canada and the West Indies and the French wasn’t affected that much. This Act was endured until 1810 because Congress passed Macon’s Bill number 2. The bill reversed the restrictions on American trade that the Embargo Act enforced. However, American were still upset at the British because the free trade was still …show more content…

Yet, it did not end right away. “ The signing of the peace treaty in Belgium did not end the fighting, however. It took weeks for news of the Treaty of Ghent to arrive in the United States, so the fighting was continued in America even after the treaty was signed in Europe” ( America, 262). The war didn’t not actually end because of negotiating. In fact, it ended because of of the end of the Napoleonic wars. There wasn’t a French threat anymore. This meant that there’s no need for the British continue with the blockade and search of ships. The treaty was signed because both the British and Americans were tried of fighting. Both sides realized by signing this treaty that will not gain anything they aimed

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