The Causes of the War of 1812 Problems with Native Americans hurt relations between the United States and Britain. The British were supplying guns and ammunition to the Native Americans on the frontier. They also encouraged Indians to attack United States settlements.
Meanwhile, the ban on trade with Britain and France expired. Congress then authorized President Madison to make a persuasive offer. If either the British or French stopped seizing American ships, the United States would reopen trade with that nation. Napoleon quickly announced that France would respect American neutrality. Britain did not respond to the offer. As promised, the United States resumed trade with France, but continued to ban all shipments to or from Britain.
The War Hawks Push for War While Madison did not want war, other Americans were not as cautious. In New England, antiwar feelings ran strong. However, members of Congress from the South and the West called for war. They were known as War Hawks. War Hawks were stirred by a strong sense of nationalism, or devotion to one’s country. War Hawks felt that Britain was treating the United States as if it were still a British colony. They were willing to fight a war to defend American rights.
The most outspoken War Hawk was Henry Clay of Kentucky. Clay wanted to punish Britain for seizing American ships. He also hoped to conquer Canada. War Hawks saw other advantages of war with Britain. If Americans went to war with Britain, War Hawks said, the United States could seize Florida from Britain’s ally, Spain. They also pointed out that Britain was arming Native Americans on the frontier and encouraging them to attack settlers. The War Hawks felt that winning a war against Britain would bring lasting safety to settlers on the frontier.
War Is Declared The United States and Britain drifted closer to war as the security of American ships remained an issue. The British continued to board American ships and impress American seamen. To cut off American trade with France, British warships blockaded some American ports.
The War Hawks urged Congress to prepare for war. Others in Congress disagreed. Representatives from New England were especially concerned. They feared that the British navy would attack New England seaports.
At last, President Madison gave in to war fever. In June 1812, he asked Congress to declare war on Britain. The House and Senate both voted in favor of war. Americans would soon learn, though, that declaring war was easier than winning.
Identify 3 reasons why some Americans wanted to go to war against the British.
1. To punish Britain for seizing American ships.
2. To conquer Canada.
3. To bring lasting safety to settlers on the frontier by stopping Britain from arming Native Americans and encouraging them to attack settlers.
1. British support for Native American attacks: Some Americans wanted to go to war with the British because they were supplying guns and ammunition to Native Americans on the frontier and encouraging them to attack United States settlements. This caused unrest and hostility, leading to a desire for war to defend American interests and safety.
2. Violation of American neutrality: Some Americans felt that Britain was treating the United States as if it were still a British colony. British warships continued to board American ships and impress American seamen. This violation of American neutrality and interference with American trade with France led to a desire for war in order to assert American rights and protect American commerce.
3. Nationalism and desire for conquest: The War Hawks, particularly Henry Clay of Kentucky, were driven by a strong sense of nationalism and a desire to punish Britain for seizing American ships. They saw war with Britain as an opportunity to expand American territory, with aspirations to conquer Canada and seize Florida from Britain's ally, Spain. They believed that winning a war against Britain would bring lasting safety to settlers on the frontier and protect American interests.