Economic Effects Of The War Of 1812

The War of 1812 was caused by multiple economic and political conflicts within North America and Europe. While the battles were contained to Europe, the Napoleonic Wars created economic alterations in the United States due to changing trade policies from Great Britain later influencing the Embargo Act of 1807 and the Non-Intercourse Acts. Regardless of the new trade restrictions, dealings between Great Britain and North Americans continued leaving Native Americans armed. It was not until 1811 when Henry Clay, John Calhoun, and the War Hawks approached Congress for a declaration of war against Great Britain. The War of 1812 continued for two years concluding with the Treaty of Ghent in 1814. Among the few benefits of the War of 1812 came an

In the beginning, the United States had declared neutrality as it continued to trade with both nations. While France and Great Britain were at war, Great Britain declared that all neutral nations that traded with Great Britain must obtain a license to trade with France or French merchants. In 1807, Thomas Jefferson passed the Embargo Act of 1807 barring all United States trade ships from leaving American territory. This act was to deprive French and British ports from American commodities and persuade Great Britain to drop its policy of trade permits for trade with France. However, this act soon backfired on the United States as trade had decreased from the lack of transportation across the Atlantic Ocean. The embargo had little effect on Great Britain or France as unauthorized shipments were transported across the Atlantic Ocean. As a result, the Embargo Act of 1807 was repealed and soon replaced by the Non-Intercource Acts. The Non-Intercourse Acts lifted the ban on trade with foreign nations excluding France and Great Britain. Similar to the Embargo Act of 1807, the Non-Intercourse Acts were replaced with a bill stating that if either France or Great Britain were to drop all trade restrictions, the United States maintain the embargo against the opposite country. This embargo against British and French goods increased commerce between the United States and

Neither nation was titled as the winner of the war, but the American population viewed the War of 1812 as a victory on the homefront. While no land was gained or lost, the American troops won control of the Great Lakes from the Royal Navy of Great Britain, who at the time had the strongest navy in the world. With the Great Lakes now under the control of the United States, Great Britain began to recognize the United States as an independent nation. This also brought a refreshed feeling of nationalism amongst the United States population. Added to this new sense of nationalism in the United States was the writing of the poem titled “Defense of Fort M’Henry”. The poem was written by Francis Scott Key as he witness the bombardment of Fort McHenry during the British attack on Baltimore. The “Defense of Fort M’Henry” was later titled the “Star Spangled Banner” and adopted to be the official American National Anthem in