The War of 1812

What was the War of 1812?

The War of 1812 was a military conflict between the United States and the British Empire, fought between 1812 and 1815. Outside the United States, it is sometimes known as the Anglo-American War of 1812. The major causes of the war were the United States’ desire for westward expansion, American opposition to the British practice of “impressment,” and British restrictions on American trade with France. Americans had also grown upset with perceived insults from the British, such as the Chesapeake Affair of 1807, when the British fired upon an American ship, the Chesapeake, off the coast of Northern Virginia in order to retrieve deserting British sailors.

Why did the United States’ desire for westward expansion lead to war?

By 1812, the United States had expanded a great deal since it concluded its war of independence from the British Empire in 1783. The Americans wished to expand into their territories west of the Appalachian Mountains, including the Northwest Territory and the lands included in the Louisiana Purchase. However, the British had armed and supported Native Americans who opposed American expansion in those territories. The British had long opposed American expansion into the territories because the British saw Native Americans as providing a buffer between the settled American lands and British holdings in Canada. Even during the war, the British supported creating an independent Native state in the lands of the Northwest Territory.

What was “impressment”?

At the time of the war, the British Empire was involved in an extensive conflict with France, known as the Napoleonic Wars. To further its war effort, the British Empire expanded its Navy considerably. This expansion required that the British field about 140,000 sailors. To obtain these sailors, the British would board American vessels, seize British-born American citizens, and force them into service in the British Navy. Americans believed that these former British citizens were legal immigrants to the United States; the British considered these Americans to be deserters. Sometimes impressment practices were sloppy, and many native-born Americans were also forced into service on British ships for long periods of time before being returned to America.

Why did the British Empire block American trade with France?

Because the British were at war with France, the British began imposing restrictions on American trade with France in 1807. The Americans considered themselves neutrals in the conflict and believed they had the right to trade with either Britain or France. The British opposed American trade with France due to what the British viewed as wartime expediency.

Who supported the War of 1812?

Americans in the industrial Northeast largely opposed the war, while Americans in the South largely supported the war. Americans who supported the war were labeled by their opponents as “War Hawks,” a term that later came to be applied to Americans who supported other wars. Notable leaders of the War Hawks included Speaker of the House Henry Clay, Congressman John Calhoun, and President James Madison. Support for the war was sharply divided along regional lines.

How did the War of 1812 begin?

On June 1, 1812, President James Madison sent a message to Congress stating American grievances against the British. Soon afterwards, the House of Representatives voted in favor of a declaration of war by a vote of 79 to 49, and the Senate voted to declare war by a vote of 19 to 13. Although a new Prime Minister, Lord Liverpool, had come to power in Britain a few weeks earlier and sought better relations with the United States, word of the new British government had not reached the United States due to the slow transatlantic communications that existed at the time.

How did the Americans approach the War of 1812?

The Americans were not prepared for the war, and were largely routed by the British. American soldiers were of militia quality and lacked well-trained, experienced leaders. The United States attempted to invade British Canada twice, but failed. In turn, the United States lost partial control of what is now Michigan. The British dominated the Americans at sea, and due to their powerful navy, were able to land troops in Washington, D.C. At this time, the British famously burned the White House, the Capitol building, and other notable buildings in Washington.

How was the War of 1812 concluded?

As the war continued, Americans became more experienced. Americans regained some captured territories and won some minor victories against the British. The warring nations reached a stalemate and concluded their war with the Treaty of Ghent, signed on December 24, 1814.

Did the Americans win any major victories?

Due to slow transatlantic communications, officials in the Americas did not know the war had ended until about two months after the Treaty of Ghent was signed. Not knowing that the war was over, British officials in the Americas launched a campaign to invade Louisiana. However, they were repelled by American forces led by General Andrew Jackson in the Battle of New Orleans. The British suffered heavy losses, and the battle is generally considered the greatest American victory of the war. Unfortunately for both sides, the battle was fought after the war had officially ended.