What are the cause and effect for the war of 1812?

Answer 1

The War of 1812 had a number of causes, several of them dating back to unresolved issues left in the wake of the American Revolutionary War. Yet another cause was the contemporary problem of impressment, whereby American citizens would be forcibly pressed into British naval service without warning or justification.

Answer 2

Causes:

-- American merchants resented British barriers of trade with France.

-- Americans angered by impressment.

-- Americans believe the British pushed Native Americans to fight with American settlers.

-- Some members of the House of Reps wanted to expand into Canada.

Effects:

-- American patriotism was boosted.

-- Native Americans were weakened.

-- Loss of trade encouraged American manufacturing.

-- United States proved that it could defend itself.

Answer 3

The War of 1812 took place not long after the Revolutionary War. Although the US was no longer a British colony, the British navy chose to treat American ships as if they were still subject to British rule, and would periodically seize American sailors in order to impress them into the British navy. As a result America went to war to put an end to this practice, and succeeded in doing so. Since that time America and Britain have had friendly relations with each other (and have been allies in numerous subsequent wars).

Another View:

The above is a bit one-sided. Helping yourself to sailors ('pressing') to fill in losses was practised by all major countries, including the US.

For the cause of the war, look additionally to the US invasions into Canada and its damage, which precipitated the reaction, including the burning of the Congress building as a payback. There were also side effects of British support to the Indian tribes resisting US attempts to take over their territory; trade problems with the US expanding into France and supporting its Napoleonic war effort, which was deply embroiling Britain and led the US to take a golden opportunity to declare war against an elsewhere fully-committed opponent. There was also the internal US politics with the Federalist and the Democrat-Republican parties vying for influence, one pro-British, the other anti-British.

Looking at all the facts on all sides in a complex issue makes history interesting rather than single national justification.

Answer 4

No.