war of 1812?

Question

what were the causes and effects of the war of 1812? how did each cause make that effect? thanks for the help.

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 issues 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. territory 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

It should be seen as a part of the Napoleonic Wars. America became involved in the same way that neutral countries became sucked into world war I and II. The conflict included so many aspects of world trade and transport that the actions of all major countries were bound to have an effect on the combatants.

Answer 3

The reason for the war were quite simple.The US invaded Canada(british territory)and burned the city of Montreal.
The causes were that Britain was blocading french ports and demanded that US vessels must call into a british port.Before proceding on to the Continent.They also stopped US ships(including armed vessels)and took whom they deemed to be british off them and forced them into the Royal Navy.
ln reprisal the US attacked the only mainland british territory Canada.When peace was declared Britain wanted the US to set up an indian territory. This the US refused to do.Britain withdrew her demand and the US recognised Canada was british territory.

Answer 4

Political ideology, - the US was a Republican Democracy, Europe and England were at the time Parliamentary Monarchies/Monarchies and Empires.

Trade, - the US became a major trade and shipping competitor with England rivaling England’s command of the sea’s and worlds trade markets.

Power, - through the Louisiana Purchase the US managed effectively to contend England’s Imperial desire to control North America. England’s involvement during the Napoleonic wars and the rest of the world China/Africa/India prevented it from focusing and developing the Canadian Colony from the Great Lakes down the Mississippi, containing the rebel colony of the USA on the eastern seaboard.

Following the American Revelation two patterns of thought emerged with the American founding fathers. Washington recognizing the weakness of the United States Federal Government favored focusing on American development westward, independent trade, and self sufficiency, and a strong avoidance of any type of involvement with European matters & politics. Jefferson idealized that the American model was the beginning of a great struggle for freeing the world from monarchs and tyrants and was for greater involvement with pro revolutionary elements in Europe. Jefferson was a strong supporter of the French revolution and had sought greater involvement in the French Revolution modeling it after that of the American.

When Jefferson became President the French revolution had falling into a bloody quagmire of political power struggle and butchery. Although unable to support the French revolution Jefferson was definitely pro French. The American relationship with France was increasing tensions with England. England was responding by becoming increasingly belligerent with the US. Napoleon at one time had united most of continental Europe under his banner; England was blockading Europe to blockade Napoleon. The US was trading with Napoleon and effectively breaking England’s blockade. One of the US biggest trading partners was France; France was England’s traditional enemy. The Louisiana Purchase ended Frances ambitions in North America, gave France funds for a land mass that they could not manage, govern or defend, and also contested England’s ambitions to contain the US east of the Mississippi.

When the US built a modest fleet that saw action in Barbary protecting US shipping lanes and trade one of the US biggest trading partners was France; France being England’s traditional enemy brought the US and English navies and trading fleets into competition with one another. In England’s war against Napoleon (Europe) sailors became a highly valued commodity. Hundreds of British sailors began joining the US Navy and Merchant fleets because of the greater freedom, better pay & living conditions, and promise of a better future. England knowing that many US ships crews were former British sailors began stopping these ships and taking sailors that they "believed" were British deserters.

When Jefferson left office the collision course with England was already in motion. When Madison left office tensions with England were extremely high and many thought that war was not far away, many states started enlarging there militia and the demand for a standing Army was being heard. When Madison invoked a trade embargo against England and with British warship patrolling the American coast War was only a spark away.