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Causes and Effects of the War of 1812

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Causes and Effects of the War of 1812
Causes and Effects of The War of 1812

The nineteenth century brought major change to The United States turning it from a developing country into a world power. The addition of Alaska, Oregon, Texas, and Florida, the Mexican Cession and The Louisiana Purchase made The United States a world power. The War of 1812 catalyzed this great expansion. There were four main concerns that led to The War of 1812. Maritime and trade issues, the Embargo Act, territorial expansion, and War Hawks. Although they were major concerns, one alone did not start up the war.
“On June 18, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain. In what is often called America's second revolution, the countries were locked in a series of battles for more than two years, which led to few gains on either side. It was one of the most unpopular wars in American history; when its treaty was signed on December 24, 1814, diplomats agreed that the countries should return to the situations they were in before the start of hostilities.”
The troubles with maritime and trade issues on the high seas could have been the biggest concern. As America increased in it’s foreign affairs it began to effect Great Britain and France and their on going quarrel. So President Jefferson declared The United States a neutral power. However this tactic did not work because Britain felt anyone trading with France was an enemy. So from 1803 until 1812 Britain impressed approximately 10,000 Americans, forcing them to work on British ships. And in 1805 Britain decided in The Essex Case that any American commercial ship traveling between enemy or neutral ports will be seized. When word of this British interference and impressments of sailors came back to America citizens were outraged and anti-British feelings began to rise.
The Embargo Act was signed on December 22,1807 by Congress under President Jefferson. As a result of tension between Great Britain and France and the risk of losing American ships to either side this



Bibliography: “American History Timeline- War of 1812.” Accessed November 20, 2011 Volo, Dorothy Denneen, James M. Volo. "WAR HAWKS." Encyclopedia of the Antebellum South. Santa Barbara, CA: Greenwood, 2000. ABC-CLIO eBook Collection. Web. 28 Nov 2011. “War of 1812, 1807.” Accessed November 20, 2011. http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2621.html “War of 1812.” Accessed November 20, 2011, http://www.warof1812.ca/intro.html “War of 1812: Battle of the Thames.” Accessed November 20, 2011, http://www.historynet.com/war-of-1812-battle-of-the-thames.htm -------------------------------------------- [ 2 ]. “War of 1812.” Accessed November 20, 2011, http://www.warof1812.ca/intro.html

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