The+War+of+1812

Events leading up to the War of 1812 War With Tripoli Barbary States wanted United States to pay large bribes their ships from being attacked. President Jefferson refused and the U.S. went to war with Tripoli. Neutral Ships Taken England and France were at war. When the U.S. would try to trade with one, the other country would attach and take the American ship. Impressment of American Sailors American sailors were kidnapped and forced to serve on British ships. Embargo Act/Nonintercourse Act No trade with Britain or France unless they agreed to stop taking American ships and sailors.

The War of 1812 - Causes of the War The War of 1812, also dubbed the Second War of Independence, had several factors caused it. There are differing views by many historians as to why it took place.

Some believe that the radical expansionism and the fear that Canada would inevitably be annexed to the United States was a major cause. Another primary cause of the war was the rise of Tecumseh, believed to be backed by the British, caused an urgency for the Americans to expel the British from Canada. The War Hawks, the congress at the time of Madison's presidency, were pushing for the invasion of Canada, and an attack upon the savages who had been tormenting homes on the frontier. Madison never really expected or desired the annexation of Canada, nor did his colleague Monroe (Secretary of State). He was more or less pushed into the decision.

The Twelfth Congress, also known as the War Hawks were quite land hungry, lead by Henry Clay they pushed for war with Indians as well as Britain. The desire for land, Canadian or Indian, fear of a British-backed Indian conspiracy, concern over the declining prices of agricultural products and the restrictions of markets abroad all have been believed to have been basic causes of the war.

When asked about his reasoning for the push for war, speaker of the House Henry Clay would answer "what are we not to lose by peace?". His rationalizations had to do with this mentality that they would lose their countries character, commerce, and a nations best treasure if they didn't go to war. He believed that what they had to gain was reduced revenue, to nearly ten million dollars. Clay could also not ignore the impressment of American sailors by British fleets, this was another driving force. Henry Clay assumed a leading role in the war against Britain. He then affected President Madison's decision about the war, and more or less pushed Madison from being indifferent, to declaring war. Clay saw the British as an intrusive and unwanted force that was trampling on the feet and violating the rights of countrymen.

The offenses committed against the United States by Britain were the major provocations for the war. There was an obvious anger for what the British had done to America, and many Americans merely wanted revenge, but the war was much more than that. This "Second War of Independence" perhaps changed American history as we know it.

Causes of the War of 1812 Westward expansion - interest in obtaining Canada Impressment Embargo Seizing of neutral American ships War Hawks Tecumseh

War of 1812 War at Sea Fighting in the West Invasion of Canada Battle for Lake Erie Burning of Washington Battle of New Orleans

Results of the War of 1812 Respect for the United States by other nations Star-Spangled Banner The White House Established border between the U.S. and Canada Nationalism Reorganized the military - much more formal Strengthened the economy Ruined the Federalist Party The War of 1812 affected not only the United States, but Canada and Great Britain as well. In Great Britain, the war did not have a strong effect on the country. Although the United States was declared to be the victors of many of the battles which took place during the War of 1812, the Royal Navy was quite successful in maintaining it's blockade of the American Coast as well as practically neutralizing the American Navy. Great Britain never thought of the war as being highly important, in fact it was just seen as a small added burden. To them, they saw the United States attempting to have revenge on them by depriving them of their homes. While the War of 1812 did not have profound consequences for Great Britain, it had a strong effect on Canada. While Great Britain saw the war as merely being a burden, Canada felt that they were fighting for life and liberty. The War of 1812 had done more in bringing together those of Anglo-American and French origin. One thing that the war failed to do was dealing with the manpower problem. During the war, the Canadian militia was able to play a large role in the defense of Canada. Unfortunately, Canadians took this to an extreme believing that the militia was solely responsible for saving the country. This lead to a myth which caused Canada to fail in making much needed changes in their militia. With an exception to this one setback, the War of 1812 had a strong effect in strengthening Canada. In the United States, the war had economic and political effects, as well as effects on their militia. Although the war caused a lot of changes, one thing remained the same: American attitudes toward war. Individualism continued to be a basic trait in the character of Americans. Americans could not see the point in changing their militia system. Even the defeats which they experienced during the war failed to bring them to the realization that their militia was inadequate. In support of their failure to take notice of the manpower problem, the political leaders at the time acknowledged that the social as well as political conditions of the country created limitations on what could have been done about the manpower problem. There was a major reorganization in changing the administrative system used to operate the army. The army no longer had to depend on only a Secretary. Instead, there was an army general staff which was formed, as well as a board of navy commissioners. The system was also reformed in it's accountability of the army and the navy. In addition to these changes, was the development of scientific engineering. During the campaign of 1814, the West Point engineers were able to double the capacity of the small American army with their system of fortifications. After the war ended, West Point influenced the education in engineering throughout the nineteenth century. The economic effects from the war were much greater than those from the militia. Although there was a blockade during the war, after it was lifted, many of the United States products including rice, cotton, tobacco, and grain were rushed to Europe. There were three other factors which added to the growth of manufacturers both during and after the war. Included in this was a long list of technological developments including the spinning jenny, the cording machine, the steam engine, automatic milling machinery, the slide lathe, better casting methods, as well as the concept of the assembly line and interchangeable parts. The second advantage was that the demand as well as the prices for these finished products increased dramatically by dropping imports and the increasing needs of the war effort. The third factor which added to the growth was the capital that flooded into New England. This money somehow found its way to profitable manufacturers who used the money well. All these factors from the War of 1812 led to an economic boom in the United States. The political effects were just as important as the economic effects. The War of 1812 led to the ruin of the Federalist party, which was due to there opposition of the war. This lead to one party being in control in 1816. The postwar Republicans continually passed a majority of the same laws including high tariffs of the war period, establishing a second national bank, and providing for certain internal improvements. These laws which were passed were an indication of nationalism, which was planted firmly enough that it would not be taken away so easily. These political effects had a larger impact than anything else on the United States. The War of 1812 had such a great effect on the United States that is sometimes referred to as the Second War of American Independence. This did not refer to Great Britain attempting to gain control of the United States, instead, it marked the end of the United States dependence on Europe. Great Britain fully accepted American independence. 1815 was marked as a turning point. Before, American foreign relations were conditioned by the shifting power structure and the almost continuous wars in Europe. After the year 1815, the United States could choose war or peace according to its interests.