Jefferson, Madison, and the War of 1812 - Coursework Example

The War of 1812 The War of 1812 pitted the US against Great Britain and its North American colonies. This conflict helped to enhance the credibility of the US among other nations. The War of 1812 took place for two years until 1814. The War of 1812 occurred in various frontiers such as in Upper and Lower Canada, the Atlantic and in the US. Although the War 1812 is a small war in the US history, this war fostered nationalism and patriotism as well as heralding an era of bi-partisan agreements.Ward (174) explains that Britain’s conflict with France particularly Bonaparte’s regime was one of the factors that led to the 1812 War.

Britain blocked American shipping vessels in order to stop supply of goods to France. France also imposed trade restrictions on neutral countries prohibiting trade with Britain. Britain’s impressment actions, which entailed forcing Americans to work on the British ships, also angered the Americans. The Royal Navy searched American ships for illegal goods and deserters who left the Royal Navy to work in American ships. In addition, Britain supported the Native American communities to resist American westward expansion.

Thomas Jefferson sought to protect US interests by restricting trade with both Britain and France through the Embargo Act (Ward, 254). However, this act was very unpopular as it hurt severely the American economy. A group of new congress members, ‘the War Hawks’ put more pressure on President Madison to declare war on Britain. The war produced mixed results for America (Ward, 244). The Ghent peace treaty did not resolve the impressment problems and enhance maritime rights. However, American victories in the Atlantic was a sign of American future power.

The War was a loss to the ‘War Hawks’ who hoped for annexation of Canada. The big losers were First Nations and Tecumseh who hoped to end American expansion. Works CitedWard, Kyle R. History in the making: an absorbing look at how American history has changed in the telling over the last 200 years. New York: New Press, 2006. Print.