Why Did The Americans Win The War Of 1812

In 1812 the young nation of the United States decided to dive into a fierce conflict with a powerful European nation again. Shortly after obtaining their independence from Britain, the overzealous young nation assuming an easy victory were unprepared for what laid ahead of them. The United States was recovering from an economic cutback which sparked a political backlash. Because of this meager time and the conspiring events happening across the ocean, citizens became precarious. Shortly after the Louisiana Purchase war broke out between France and Britain, this sparked discussion between political officials in America. Thomas Jefferson was president at the time and was known as a president who would not back down from imposing nations. Although,
in the early 1800s both Britain and France had seized a large sum of the American ships. (Davidson 165] Understanding that America was at a disadvantage against the formable European nations, Jefferson urged America to remain neutral. Congress having a less nationalistic state of mind pass the Embargo Act in 1807 as part of the "peaceable coercion" program designed by Jefferson. (Davidson 166] This act prevented foreign trade and crippled the economy, citizens, predominantly on the upper coast were enraged and resorted to smuggling goods. Although in 1809 the Embargo Act was repealed with the endorsement of artisan and merchant interest groups, and James Madison became president. With Madison, a younger and more nationalistic Republicans came into office as well, with dreams of forging a new frontier for America. These men had an ambitious plan for the economic development and westward expansion. This new generation of Republicans with their strong sense of nationalism had a stronger willingness to go to war earning their name of "War Hawks." The War Hawks were few in number but their influence in Congress pushed the Republican Party's agenda, who still had the majority seats. (Davidson 166] After the Embargo Act was repealed Congress reauthorized trade with France and Britain with a stipulation. Congress told the two nations that whoever agreed to cease the interference with American ships, they would cease trade with the opposing nation. France agreed to Congress' terms, Congress who was naïve ended trade with Britain, France continued to capture and disrupt American trade ships. Indignation spread through American against Britain, urged by interest groups Madison petitioned for a declaration of war. This created a political divide in Congress. Federalists fought for peace and neutrality; while Republicans fueled by the War Hawks accusations that this was Britain intrusion on their independence and that America hung in the balance once again. Congress ultimately authorized Madison's petition, pleasing those who felt their independence threatened and hungered for expansion. (Davidson 166] Even though Congress approved the petition for war America was far from prepared.
This did not falter the War Hawks impression that America would undoubtedly win. The U.S. Army was unpretentious and poorly commanded, America scrambled to assemble its forces. At the same time, different Indian tribes debated on who to pledge their alliances with. One chief, Tecumseh believed this was his opportunity to rally alliances with Creek Indians and recover western territories. The elderly Creek Indians preferred an American alliance while the younger generation, much like the younger Americans, fought for their territory. Ancestral Creek enemies allied with Americans, historically unity among Indian tribes became their greatest undoing. Once France was defeated Britain turned its attention to the uproar in America. (Davidson 167] The Indians tribes were not the only ones that had disunity. Federalists in America began strategizing and create Amendments to deplete the Republican's power in Congress and change the nation's economic policies. (Davidson 168] Others belonging to New England were even tempted by the British to renounce America and return to British rule. (Davidson 169] To fight against the imposing British forces citizens from all territories banded together to form a makeshift army, this improvised army won the war. (Davidson
168] After winning the war against Britain, America was able to turn to Spain and come to a consensus over the Louisiana Purchase. Spain agreed to the Transcontinental Agreement giving America claim to the Pacific Northwest and Florida. (Davidson 169] As America expanded a new controversy came into play in American politics one that had never been a political debate before, slavery. With political balance at stake between slave and non-slave states, a balance had to be maintained as well as the underlying morality of slavery. (Davidson 168] After reviewing history and the choices America has made we then must look at the consequences and devastations we encountered and inflicted because of those choices.
We can say with a certainty that we intruded and disregarded Indian's claim to this land. America allowed the ambitions to expand, acquire gold, and power overpower any decisions we made. The War Hawks used American patriotism, which was a young sapling, to pursue their agendas and accomplish their ambitions. The America that our founding fathers had dreamed of was a pure utopia of liberty. The younger ambitions Republicans that preceded them wanted political power, routes to converge into one large map, and American industries to trade worldwide. These men were not artisans nor small farmers, but businessmen who dreamed of deep pockets and continues expansion like the British. (Davidson 170] America was again in economic despair, but the influx of foreign trade softened the blow. While politicians deepened their pockets from the profits of the war the American citizens were left to pick up the pieces of the aftermath. Although, if Congress had chosen to remain neutral, we would not have been able to acquire the Pacific Northwest territory from Spain who saw it as a small defeat compared to what they still possessed. Congress did resolve the initial battle for further expansion while proving to rival nations of their powerful resolve. If the initial Embargo Act was not enacted prior to the war America would
have been less vulnerable to the hardships of the war and aftermath following. The country would have seen a lower deficiency and more of a profit from the war. Overall it proved to politicians that war has an impact on the economy, but that impact is directly affected by the events leading to the war. America was undoubtedly unprepared for war with Britain, feeling their independence being threated provoked the petition for war. The split in Congress generated the major debate between the nationalistic power-hungry Republicans and the aristocratic war fearing Federalists, Republicans having majority seat won the debate. Once the war settled it left many Americans picking up the pieces of their war-stricken homes. After the war America gained new territory allowing new debated to arise in Congress. Expandable territory triggered the debate of slavery and the morality of it. Unknowingly, those who enticed the war changed America graphically, politically, economically, and patriotically.