Help:What are the cause and effecta of the war of 1812? Note:Not HW just study guide?

Answer 1

The "causes" of the war are CHIEFLY seen in President Madison's official statement justifying the declaration of war (for which Congress voted).

(More on results later, but to anticipate, note that each of these was, in fact, accomplished, though not necessarily all because of the war itself!)

1) impressment of U.S. sailors. This was actually settled before war, with Britain largely acquiescing (though with slow communication the Americans did not yet know this)

2) interference in American TRADE, and hence with American sovereignty/independence.

This was mainly the result of the wars between Britain and France (and Americans suffered at the hands of BOTH powers). Once that war ended, the British no longer interfered in the same way. Thus the American objective was achieved, though not necessarily by the war!!

3) "Indian question" -- in the Northwest frontier wars. the British supported the Indians
this was THE reason for invading the Canadian territories. (Though some in the Western states wanted to annex the Canadian colonies, this was NOT the reason for the invasion, and the U.S. government never pushed for it.) Note, that the U.S. was indeed successful in reaching this objective. After the war the British were never again involved in assisting Indians vs. the U.S.

Although Britain was NOT attempting to retake its former colonies, all three of these issues DO have to do with the exercise of American independence/sovereignty, which was being treated rather lightly by the European powers.

Thus it is understandable that Americans regarded this as a "second war of Independence" even if it was not that in the STRICT sense.


At any rate, in this overarching objective -- of asserting its own sovereignty in issus of territory ("Indian question") and trade, America WAS successful.

SOME of the American success was an INDIRECT result of the war. In particular, the cutting off of trade with England ended up strengthening U.S. independent manufacture...leading to greater ECONOMIC independence.

Another indirect result -- the expansion of the American navy in order to conduct the war contributed in other ways to America's ability to assert its sovereignty. One prime example -- immediately after the War the U.S. Navy was able to fully and finally address the problem of the Barbary Pirates in the quick and very successful SECOND Barbary War (1815) . In short, by the end of 1815, and in part THROUGH the War of 1812, the U.S. finally DID accomplish the sort of freedom to sail the seas and trade as it wished -- something it had hoped to gain through the American Revolution but never quite achieved.

Further, after the War of 1812 the U.S. was bolder to proclaim (and act on) its refusal to allow ANY European interference in the Western Hemisphere (note esp. the Monroe Doctrine).

One other "war aim" and even "cause" needs to be mentioned. The Congressional approval of Madison's call for a declaration of war was largely led by young Western "War Hawks" (most prominent being Henry Clay). And these folks were ALSO motivated by the idea that the U.S. might be able to conquer Canada. This fit in with the main war aim of dealing with the "Indian question" and of removing the British presence in North America, and thus its influence/control (not just of the seas but of U.S. border lands). BUT these men were also hoping to expand U.S. terrritory in the bargain. In THIS objective (again, never one of the original causes, nor ever a formally stated reason for going to war), the U.S. failed... AND began the process by which the diffuse and diverse populations of the Canadian territories, becoming unified in defending their home territory, eventually moved toward nationhood. It is altogether conceivable that, had the U.S. NOT made these attempts at conquest, at least parts of Canada might have ended up joining the U.S.

Answer 2

The relationship between Britain and the United States had been frigid since the latter gained their independence from the former. Trade had been substantial but diplomatic relations consisted of each party ignoring the other’s existence.

In 1793, Britain went to war against France in what became known as the Napoleonic Wars. The United States was neutral during this conflict but hostilities between the two belligerents interfered with its trade. The Royal Navy blockaded French ports and obliged all neutral shipping, especially American vessels, bound for France, to call first at a British port and pay duties on its cargo before being allowed to proceed. Furthermore the Royal Navy frequently stopped United States ships and pressed into service those seamen who had either deserted from the Royal Navy or were vaguely suspected of having deserted. This policy so incensed United States officials, that on 18th June 1812, President James Maddison declared war on Great Britain.

The Americans were ill prepared for war. An initial incursion into Canada was easily rebuffed. There were some minor naval skirmishes particularly involving the USS Constitution, which sank several Royal Navy vessels. The British army was too involved in Europe to send troops to fight, but British interests were preserved by supplying the Shawnee tribe with armaments to attack wagon trains, heading for Oregon. The Americans sent an expeditionary force into Canada, which burnt the city of York, now Toronto, and hurriedly retreated.

By 1814, after a series of victories in Europe, Britain had available resources to mount an offensive. An amphibious British force landed at Chesapeake Bay and after defeating the American army at the battle of Blandensberg, captured the city of Washington, destroyed the Capitol building and burnt down the president’s house. This residence was rebuilt soon after but had to be painted white in order to hide the burn marks, hence the name of the White House.

After such a disturbing and humiliating defeat, the Americans called a truce and signed a peace treaty, the Treaty of Ghent, which restored matters to the state they were in before the war.

Answer 3

Religion had not anything to do with the War of 1812. It used to be precipitated via the urgent of allegedly British seamen from American ships via the Royal Navy which additionally seized US shiups making an attempt to damage the British blockade of France throughout the Napoleonic Wars, as good as American objectives and border disputes involving Canada. Whatever you might have been informed, so much wars don't seem to be precipitated via faith, however via territorial disputes.

Answer 4

america had become ambitious after they bought lousiana from the french and wanted to add canada to there growing nation. britain was at war with france at the time and had many of its troops in spain fighting the french as well as its other colonies. initially america was successful but then Briatian fought back capturing the state of main and burning down the white house after capturing washington. a peace treaty was signed returing the borders to there original position. America claims this was as a victory yet they asked the french for help, gained no land and generally achieved nothing. the remarkable thing was that america survived and had britain not been at war with the french Briatin would probably have defeated america

Answer 5

One of the things that also contributed to the war was that England didn't quite accept defeat from the revolutionary war and at sea, they would capture American ships and impress the American crew into English service on British war ships.

This happened quite often and was a major factor for going to war with England.

Answer 6

Well, at the time, France and Britain were at war. Basically, France and Britain both pressured America to go to war by attacking American trade ships whenever they traded with the other European power...
Effects? Washington D.C. was burnt to a crisp, but the fact that Ameircans won the war boosted feels of American pride and nationalism.... it also created massive debt.