War Of 1812 Causes And Consequences

There were several main causes and consequences that led up to the War of 1812. The War of 1812 often referred to by some as being the second war against England for Independence or the Forgotten War. America was young and faced conflict for wanting neutral rights, the freedom of trade, and the right to remain neutral. But not all felt the same and America was divided. America’s northern states bared the brunt of England’s wrath of targeting the shipping industry; while the southern states suffered from a damaging market for their exports.
At the time, France and England were at war with each other. France was receiving aid from America, who was trading with French outpost in the Caribbean. In the 1807, England passed a resolution “the Orders
of Council” which was set in place to halt the trade between American and France while they at war. This allowed the British ships to seize any goods that were believed to be in violation of the Orders of Council. British ships continuously harassed the American Navy ships in those regions. On many occasions British forces would kidnap American sailors and press them into service for the British Navy. Over a nine year period, approximately 6,000 American sailors were forced into service.
In 1808, James Madison who was president was still dealing with the foreign affairs of his predecessor. Madison reopened foreign trade with countries other than England and France. Madison made a provision to allow trade with countries, depending on which one loosened its limitations. England agreed to the terms in an effort to avoid war, but by June of 1812, Madison moved forward to ask congress to declare war on England.
As the American expansion continued to move west conflict arose between Native Americans and settles on the frontier. British officers who were residing in Canada found it relatively easy to gain support from Native Americans who were under pressure from America. The British used their new alliance with the Native Americans to attack American expansion. Many Americans demanded the invasion of Canada, based upon British giving support to the Native Americans.
In response to the growing concern, Governor William Henry Harrison of the Native American territory took a military force to the Native American capital to attack them.
The Native Americans engaged Harrison at the Tippecanoe River before he was able to reach the capital. After a very bloody battle, Harrison found that he had in fact defeated the Native Americans. The remaining Native Americans fled to Canada.
This battle at the Tippecanoe River confirmed the suspicions that the British were in fact providing aid to the Native Americans and urging them to fight the settlers on the frontier. A group of Republicans known as the War Hawks wanted to go to war with Britain. Many believed that foreign powers (the British) were still influencing areas of the frontier region. In response the War Hawks wanted to preserve America’s self-respect and move forward to conquer Canada. They believed by pushing out British influence from the region it would stabilize the area for the settlers.
In conclusion neither America nor Britain suffered from any the consequences of the War of 1812. The War of 1812 was considered a stale mate because no land was lost during this conflict. Consequently the Native Americans lost lands to America’s settlers moving west and without British support they were at the will of
America.