War of 1812

Table of Contents

Essay "The Forgotten War, But What Caused It"...................................................................... 2

Reference Page............................................................................................................................9

President James Madison declared war on England on June 18, 1812, the first war that the Americans and British fought between one another since the revolutionary war. The United States had been upset with Brittan as they had placed naval blockades for anyone trying to trade with France or one of its allies. This act had made President Thomas Jefferson very angry and he passed a bill embargoing trade between the United States and Brittan. When war had been declared, the Americans had their eyes on Canada with the goal of expulsing the British off of the continent. In the west, the Americans had began with their westward expansion, which angered the Native population causing them to make an alliance with Brittan. The Americans felt that war was a must as they had not been given the naval rights that they were intending on fighting for, as well as expulsing British control from the American continent, expansion into the west creating another enemy in the Natives.

In 1803 Brittan declared war on Napoleons French Empire, beginning another decade of war between the two rival countries. The United States felt that it would be in their best interest to remain neutral in the affair as they were both valuable trading partners. For three years trade was able to take place. Then, Napoleon issued the Berlin Decree on November 21st 1806. This forbade allies of the French to trade with the British. Brittan responded the year later with orders in council that instilled a naval blockade of French controlled Europe. With instructions to seize any ships that violated this blockade.

At this point relations became very rocky between Brittan and the newly formed United States. Seeing themselves as a...