what were some reasons that led up to the revolutionary war of 1812?

Answer 1

As several have noted the Revolution and the War of 1812 are two distinct wars. BUT they did have a relationship. . . and when you understand the situation you can see why Americans called it ""the second war for independence".

The "causes" of the War of 1812 are chiefly seen in President Madison's official statement justifying the declaration of war (pts 1 & 2 below)

1) impressment of U.S. sailors

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

a) British violation the neutral rights and territorial waters of America,

b) The blockade of U.S. ports,

c) Refusal to revoke the orders which prevented foreign ships from trading in America.

These practices were mainly the result of the wars between Britain and France --and Americans suffered at the hands of BOTH powers. (In fact, once war with France 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.

4) 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.

--------------------------

To pull these things all together -- Americans were looking

A) to defend their MARITIME RIGHTS (points #1 & 2 above)

B) to remove (or at least severely limit) British influence (and 'interference') in North America (pts #3-4)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Origins_of_the_War_of_1812
http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/library/report/1989/HWW.htm

http://nvnv.essortment.com/warof_rmfy.htm
http://www.galafilm.com/1812/e/intro/index.html

If we must boil it down to one, the DEFENSIVE concern for "vindication" (#1-3) was central; the desire for any specific gains (such as territory) may have helped motivate and "sell" the war, but was not in the same sense a "root cause".

http://www.rootsweb.com/~ncanson/military/1812.htm

Answer 2

super bird now look at yor answer before u call somebody stupid OK!!! yes the revolutionary war was not in 1812 but neither was the French and Indian war lol that was in 1754–1763
and the war of 1812 has been called the second revolutionary war so maybe u should brush up on some history before u make yor self to look like an @ss lol

now the war of 1812 started for a combination of reasons— outrage at the impressment (seizure) of thousands of American sailors into the British navy, frustration at British restraints on neutral trade while Britain warred with France, and anger at British alliances with Native people defending their unceded territories which conflicted with American expansion and settlement into the Old Northwest.
were the biggest reasons it started

Answer 3

well don't listen to superbird there.

The war of 1812 lasted from 1812-1815. The French and Indian war was from 1751-1758 or so. They had NOTHING to do with each other.

In 1812, the English were at war with Napoleon and still had not really taken a liking to America. There were several reasons that sparked President Madison's decision to declare war. 1) The impressment of American sailors into service on British Ships.
2) The encitement of Native Americans agains american settlers on the frontier 3) frustrations on restraints of trade with and by the British because of the war and 4) Madison probably REALLY wanted an excuse to invade canada. ;)

It wasn't a "revolutionary war" because no one "revolted".

I only answered this because I know quite a bit more about the war of 1812 than most people do. But really, if you want to know why.... there are plenty of answers to be found by reading. ;)

Oh. And the "Revolutionary war" was from 1775-1783. Not 1776-1781.

Edit.--- Oh, and to Oscar down there.... Until you have a PHD in American History I'll worry about what dates you'll "accept". Until then, I'll go with that history records. Your dates are obviously based on your own opinions of when things started or ceased. The records show otherwise. Sorry bro.

Answer 4

The war of 1812 was fought between the British and Americans and had nothing to do with the French and Indian War. Napoleon was master of Europe in 1812 and the Brits did not like us giving the French supplies or money (the Louisianna Purchase). To prevent that the Brits began impressing American sailors into service in the Royal Navy. America did not like being told not to deal with the French or having our sailors impressed and war broke out. That is a very simplistic explanation and you should read about the war if you want to know more.

Answer 5

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 6

Right on Oscar, but you fail to mention the role of the Jeffersonians, particularly James Madison, and their opposition to the Jay Treaty (because of the closer ties it fostered with Great Britain to the detriment of the French) as a significant underlying cause of the war.

By the way, where do I sign up for your class. It sounds a whole lot more fun, and more educational, than memorizing dates and regurgitating facts. Do you actually want your students to think? Wow.

Answer 7

The REVOLUTIONARY WAR was 1776-1781
The WAR OF 1812 was also called the FRENCH AND INDIAN WAR.

You obviously need to do SOME reading so you at least know enough to ask the right question.

Answer 8

http://www.historysage.com/basics_roadtorevolution.phtml

try this site
my history teacher gave it to me and its a great layout of the time period and has other sections about the war itself

Answer 9

I agree with Superbird. Try googling these terms for some history lessons...

Answer 10

~Nice try Oldest Soul, but:

~The revolution started with the Lee Resolution, the actual declaration of independence, adopted on July 2, 1776. Although the Battles of Lexington and Concord and Bunker Hill were fought in April and June, 1775, they were simply police actions whereby troops of the sovereign attempted to rout out and disarm terrorist rebels. The formal war started with the declaration of war, the Lee Resolution. Although the Treaty of Paris was signed on September 3, 1783, it was not ratified by the US until January 14, 1784 or by the British until April 9, 1784. Although most of the fighting stopped with the surrender of Lord Cornwallis and the southern army at Yorktown in 1781 and the British Parliament resolved to cease military action in April 1782, the war officially continued until the treaty was signed and American independence was recognized, Thus, the Revolution was contested from 1776 to 1784.

The "French and Indian War" is a localized misnomer. Most of the western world recognizes the conflict as "The Seven Years War". The actual declaration of war came in 1756 and the Treaty of Paris which ended it was signed in 1763. The so-called French and Indian War was the 9 year long North American component of the Seven Years War. The North Americans jumped the gun on the formal declaration of war and the fighting is officially recognized to have occurred between 1754 and 1763. The colonials didn't seem to mind that their British oppressors were on hand to bail them out of that one, although they did resist paying for their fair share of the expense - one of the contributing factors that led to the revolt a few years later.

The War of 1812 had nothing whatsoever to do with the annexation of Canada. That myth has been bebunked and discounted by historians and scholars for generations. Even the statesmen of the time acknowledged that the US had no intention of taking Canada. Although Jefferson said in 1807 that he could take Quebec at any time, simply by marching in and announcing his presence, he never tried. His contemporaries all agreed that the American imperialist sights were aimed westward, not northward.

The invasion of Canada was intended simply as a ploy to induce British negotiations. The British were suspected of arming Native Americans to halt the westward expansion. Britain still held claim to lands in the Mississippi Basin and westward, and by some twisted logic, they didn't want the US to encroach on those lands. Likewise, the Indians had some perverse notion of holding on to their homes and they looked to their British friends and allies for assistance. People will get silly.

The British military and economy were stretched to the breaking point by 1812. For some strange reason, the Brits tended to look with disfavor on those who were aiding and abetting their enemies. The US, claiming neutrality, was going out of its way to assist the French. Just as would happen in the 20th century with the Germans, the British took steps to defend themselves and they blockaded enemy ports and stopped vessels intent on supplying France and her allies. The US took umbrage at Britain's acts of self-defense and tensions mounted. It must be remember that Napoleon was seizing American ships too, but when he promised (falsely) not to do it anymore, trade with France resumed but the embargo against Britain continued (at least in law if not in practice).

Impressment was an accepted and necessary means to man ships and was engaged in by many seafaring nations at the time, under color of law, a fact left out of most US history books. I suppose the more politically correct term today is conscription, ie: the draft. Also rarely mentioned is the fact that the vast majority of those impressed were deserters from the British Navy who had sought to hide aboard US ships. Of approximately 6000 sailors impressed, about 1300 have been determined to have been born on US soil. Had impressment really been an issue, it would have been addressed in the Jay Treaty of 1795.

Mr. Madison's war, The War of 1812 commenced with the declaration of war in 1812. Although the Battle of New Orleans was fought in January, 1815 and the British moved on Mobile in February of that year, the Treaty of Ghent was signed on December 24, 1814, formally ending the hostilities. Thus, the war period is 1812 to 1814. Since the treaty wasn't ratified until February, 1815, I'll accept the latter date.

An interesting side note: the war was so unpopular in New England that the New England states threatened to secede from the union - an act those same states decided was illegal a mere 49 years later.

The cause of the war was American hubris and her belief that she could act with impunity regardless of the detrimental effect on others, and by claiming neutrality, she could give aid and assistance to foreign belligerents without repercussions from their foes, coupled with the fact that Britain was though to be in no position to defend herself, being embroiled at the time in the Spanish Peninsular campaign. The time to strike was hot, with the goal being an enhanced position of the US in world affairs as recognition of the US as a naval, if not military, power.

More to the point, western and southern Americans were suffering a severe depression and wanted markets in Britain and France re-opened (see the Embargo Acts, the Non-Intercourse Acts and Macon's Bill) It seems that when folks go to war, it is hard for self-proclaimed neutrals to choose sides and continue international trade in arms, food and war materials to one side or the other (or both). Foolish farmers and laborers still want to earn a living and to feed their families. The British, meanwhile, not only had to deal with their thing with Napoleon, but wanted to maintain their commercial and economic superiority as well. Yes, 1812, as all wars, finally boils down to money.

The facts are largely distorted in US history books because, as we all know, the US can do no wrong. However, from a British or international standpoint, the British were simply protecting their own shores, borders and self-interests and took offense when an upstart flea of a nation like the US challenged her. The Brits had neither the desire not the wherewithal to prosecute another war on another front at the time, even against a foe as ill-equipped, undermanned and poorly prepared and untrained as the US. Even so, when the troops became available, they accounted for themselves quite well, as the weenie roast at Washington bears out. The war was pretty much a draw, and the Treaty of Ghent simply restored the pre-war status quo. As Napoleon had been defeated, impressment died an inevitable natural death.

Oh, by the way: to teran: the reasons you seek are greed and Napoleon.


edit to oldest soul: The French and Indian War was 1751-1758 or so, but you rely on the records? Don't think I've ever seen that span included in any discussion of the Seven Years War. I'm sorry, I stopped at my Master's in history, but I've been teaching for a few years. And it's PhD or Ph.D, not PHD. My dates ARE from the records, and, more importantly, from the war declarations and treaties themselves. As to interpretation, isn't that what the study of history is? It is in my classes. Oh, by the way, my thesis dealt with the impact of the War of the Sixth Coalition on Mr. Madison's War.

edit to damonkey: Mea culpa. You are, of course, correct but I was long-winded enough already, wouldn't you say?