Factors That Led Up To The War Of 1812

In 1783, America won the American Revolution; this war gave them freedom from England. Twenty-nine years later, America still had many problems with Great Britain even after winning the revolution. Presidents Washington, Adams, and Jefferson tried very hard to avoid a war with Great Britain. When James Madison became President, he felt that because Great Britain was being aggressive, America was not declaring war, but defending itself from a war declared by Great Britain. The main forces that led America to officially declare war on Britain on June 18, 1812 were Britain’s kidnapping or impressments of American sailors, Britain’s efforts to restrict the United States’ sea trade or maritime rights, and unofficially, the American wish to get

America felt that Great Britain was being too controlling, similar to how they were before the American Revolution. They were still restricting America from doing things even though America won their independence. In the early 1800s, Great Britain tried to restrict America from trading with other places, especially France. America tried to avoid this conflict and created the Embargo Act of 1807. America wanted to remain neutral to avoid siding with Britain or France. Unfortunately, the Embargo Act caused America to lose a lot of money. So, in 1809, America issued the Non-Intercourse Act. This act said that America would not trade with France or Britain, but could trade with other foreign countries. Still, Britain continued to limit and restrict America’s ability to trade by use of the sea. The United States did not see an option other than war. “Which shall we do, abandon or defend our own commercial and maritime rights, and the personal liberties of our citizens employed in exercising them?” [Doc 2]. America felt that fighting back was the only way to get back their rights to overseas trade of goods and products. “These rights are essentially attacked, and war is the only means of redress.” [Doc 2]. Since America had tried the Embargo Act and the Non-Intercourse Act, Madison believed that they had done everything to find a peaceful way to share the rights to sea trading. Great Britain continued to attack

War Hawks were a big reason for the war. War Hawks were people who wanted to go to war to expand the U.S. land areas. into Canada. America was growing, but found it hard to approach the Native Americans who were being supported by Britain. So the desire to move into Canada and gain agricultural land in the U.S. gave America another reason to want to go to war. According to Congressman John Randolph, “If we go to war, it will not be for the protection of…maritime rights.” [Doc 3]. “Agrarian cupidity [greed for farmland], not maritime right, urges the war.” [Doc 3]. Therefore, he believed that it was because America wanted more land for farming. Another reason may have been for retaliation, revenge, or protecting America’s honor. “Protection and patriotism are reciprocal” [Doc 2]. It was known that the British supported the Native Americans and supplied them with weapons and encouraged them to attack American settlers. Americans wanted to grow to the north and west, but with Britain supporting Native Americans, it would be hard for Americans to negotiate with the Indian tribes. By declaring war, the United States could force Britain out of Canada and limit their help to the native tribes. So in addition to fighting back against being oppressed, America wanted to grow in size and