The War of 1812 as a Result of a Conflict between Britain and the United States - Term Paper Example

THE WAR OF 1812 Introduction The war of 1812 was a result of a conflict between countries namely, Britain and the United States. The war of 1812 involved the Great Britain and the Republicans based in the United States. 1 A number of factors contributed to America’s decisions to go to war. They expected to extend their boundaries by taking control over Florida and Canada. Some key factors that were put under considerations and influenced United States’ decision to go to war. They included impressments, Embargo policies and the expansionist goal of the “War Hawks”. The Americans perceived the War of 1812 as a way to protect their honor as well as freedom. On June 12th 1812, the United States declared the war. This majorly resulted from several conflicts with Britain. Issues that lead to the war of 1812 Impressment was a major contributor that led to the war of 1812. British sailors left at an alarming rate and joined the Americans sailors since they received a higher pay compared to what the British offered them. It is estimated that close to a quarter of the seamen on the ships owned by the United States were pure British. The British were hurt by this move since, then, they were in a war with France. They intercepted American ships and searched for men they felt were British without taking into account what the papers stated. Citizens who belonged to American crews were forced to join the British vessels from 1803 to 1812. The Americans did not respond to this quietly. Instead, they held boycotts, a tactic that was employed when protesting against British taxes. Americans could provide the market no more for the British and hen the embargo policies came into play on exportation. This created a tense environment in which the Federalists party thrived. However, it could not stop Madison form becoming the president. He put an end to the embargoes and started new ones without using force to make the British honor the Americans. Madison pursued agreements that could lead to peace as soon as the war was declared.2 Indian resistance The Indian resistance continued for a significant duration. Tecumseh was involved in military issues and Tenskwatawa was involved in military issues and Tenskwatawa was his brother who majored religion and tradition. He also insisted on resistance against the whites. After the treaty of Greenville, they moved west with the hope of continuing with their normal lifestyle, nomadic. However, this was not the case. The whites kept extending westward and this forced Tecumseh to mobilize different tribes to fight against the whites. Contrary to what many may believe, Andrew Jackson was not Tecumseh’s “implacable antagonist”.3 British supplied both guns and food from Canada and this helped Tecumseh in a great way. In 1811, he traveled southeast to increase the number of recruits and while he was on his way, away from Indiana territories, Governor William Hentry Harrison sent soldiers to Tippecanoe North of Indiana. A fierce battle was fought where no winner emerged. When Tecumseh returned, he attacked the white settlers in Indiana as well as Michigan and he formalized his alliance with the British. Black soldiers Africans Americans were part of the total of the United States Naval Corps. Though this was against what they stood for, there was a shortage of men who provided manpower and therefore they had to resort to black Americans. A part from that, black sailors were associated with a good reputation in the battles. At Lake Erie, Americans fleet opposed the British successfully and the black sailors contributed hugely to this success. For this reason, he wrote and applauded the fierceness they displayed in the battle field. Facilities and resources were supplied to Lake Erie.4 It was a good thing that soldiers gained respect regardless of their skin color. Performance was all that really mattered. Black soldiers were good in battle and harassed the British vessels. The number of black soldiers gradually increased among the crews. In case of an ambush and capture by the British, blacks were locked up in Dartmoor prison where racism prevailed. War declaration President Madison consulted with the congress and asked for a war declaration. Americans were always viewed as subjects by the British.5 He used the western Indians control and equality of shipping rights as the main causes. However, the main reason is that Americans resented the British. During the war things took a different turn. It was a complete disaster since when the Americans invaded Canada, they were strongly opposed and this lead to the development of groups that were against the Americans and their Canadian invasion. Preoccupation of the British in the war is the most likely reason why the Americans preserved their independence. The Americans did not lose, therefore, they won. Britain was victorious but they were completely exhausted from the Napoleonic war took a very long time to seek peace. A perception existed in the 18th century that if one was born in Britain he/she will be a Brighton for life.6 The peace treaty did not address issues that were brought up such as impressments and shipping rights although the British gave their word that they will evacuate the west. The British ended their collaboration with the Indians who lost the war hence proved to be of less importance. War opposition The war of 1812 caused division in the United States and its intensity was nothing compared to any other American conflict, Vietnam War included, in terms of opposition. The war caused tension and it was highly associated with racism.7 The New England did not agree with the war declaration and held back supplies and militia since they had a close trading relationship with the Great Britain. In 1814, a Federalist from New England met in Hartford and emphasized on citizens’ rights and also gave threats concerning session. James madison and Thomas Jefferson started nullification in 1798 which was to respond to Alien and Sedition Acts which were supported by the Federalists and it was to undermine critics from the public. The Jay treaty The Washington president considered the treaty but Alexander Dallas refuted. He was Philadelphia republican. The treaty had already been signed by both Jay and Lord Greenville who was based in London but it was not immediately submitted to the senate. Dallas pamphlet was distributed when the treaty was being considered. In the pamphlets he pointed out ways in which the treaty was compromised in terms on neutrality among Americans and how it favored Great Britain and its interests in trade. He concluded that it will be detrimental to the United States in establishing the western settlement. The treaty accepted few neutral trading rights, and strongly prohibited discrimination that the British faced in trading. Problems emerged during the Franco-British wars especially when it was beginning. The British navy changed the policy and captured American ships that were involved with French West Indies. Immediately the French Revolution took place, a war between France and British emerged. Royal navy began to inspect American ships in efforts to point out British who were impressed. It brought about division between the Francophile Jeffersonian Republicans and the Anglophile Federalists and this significantly threated the self-conception that the Americans had. Unlike what was portrayed, Federalists were far from being anti-immigrants.8 Consequently, to avoid the war’s prospects, President Washington tried using negotiation between John Jay and the British Government. As stated in the treaty, the British were to keep trading centers and forts temporarily that were located within the United State territories. Retaining these resources temporarily threated the American Independence. Though the treaty prevented any form of invasion, it was undermined because the settlers were privileged and protected by the same treaty. The treaty was objected by Dallas on grounds that it lacked compensation of the western posts and there were no payments made to the British since their posts were also used. This meant that settlers could retain posts around the United States territory contrary to what the treaty stated. Significance of the treaty was determined by whether the British controlled the Great lake and Northwest, or not. In 1794, a Canadian governor, Lord Dorchester, encouraged his supporters and allies to combine forces and destroy the Americans. He also denied the allegations that the United States controlled Ohio River on the Northern sides. After this the British invaded the US and built a new garrison. British defeated France and they expected to extend to Canada via Mississippi river. Dallas also opposed the treaty of Amity, Commerce and navigation since it was more like a surrender to the British. The treaty of Paris was a significant once since it contributed to the end of the war. Jay treaty prevented an emergence of War with the Great Britain. The aims of the Americans in the war President Madison signed the war declaration against the Great Britain. His reasons were based on impressments, capture of the American ships together with their cargos. It raised a heated debate in the congress and eventually it was passed. However, Federalists members voted against the war declaration while the Jeffersonian republicans showed full support towards the war declaration proposal and they outnumbered the Federalists members. The war was aimed at defending the American rights in trading internationally since they received significant threats from both Napoleonic wars and the French revolution war. Division within the American territories resulted from the war. The war was only supported by the republicans. Oppositions came from New England. President Madison noted the in his war message that the British had Influence over the natives within America, found in Great Lakes region. Madison knew that there were other European powers other than the Americans during the Napoleonic war.9 He added that it was hard to be accountable to different activities and combinations that take time to develop among various tribes. War Hawks especially those found in congress during the year 1810 were less restrained regarding the influence the British had on the Indians and it was clear that the British targeted the American western settlement. Republicans “war of hawks” alleged that Britain used commerce to conquer republics.10 Upon negotiation the British attacked Chesapeake and torched a public structure in Washington. They demanded that the Americans settle the war and retain the territory they occupied. They also wanted an Indian territory that was recognized. These demands were not actualized since the British military failed. There was need for the United States to pay attention to their independence.11 Though the British laid down plans to take down the Americans, the American army frustrated their plans. The American army also registered a massive success against the British at Baltimore in Chesapeake. General Andrew Jackson’s was victorious over the British invasion at New Orleans. New Orleans was strategically located because of its distance from the sea.12 This was after the signing of the Treaty of Ghent. The victory was significant since it discourage the British from scheming ways to take down the Americans. British territorial demands were rejected and the Americans took the deal that was offered, thought, it was less to what they expected. The treaty of Ghent did not address matters concerning impressments and shipping rights since they did not wish to dwell on the causes of war. The treaty focused on Canadian settlements especially in the borders. Louisa played a significant role since she joined her husband who was a negotiator in the treaty of Ghent.13 Madison become popular and the nation celebrated. The United States had proven that it can stand and protect its interests against a powerful nation. The Canadian borders were secured and, therefore, Americans shipping resumed in the Great Lakes. Northwest Territories was also secured. The consequences of the war By 1820, the republicans faced oppositions from John Adams, who was the minister during the reign of President Madison. He was also among the negotiators at the Ghent. Adams was a candidate during that year. He was the president in 1824. In 1820s, the traditional dominations including the federalist completely disappeared. The population rapidly increased and passed its growth limits. The Civil war in 1861 also started. Though a lot was going on such as injustices, conflicts and expansion, the Americans celebrated the Democracy in America. Emerson also taught the nation the Anglophiles ways. Long time before the Jay’s treaty was presented, the British captured American ships and took their cargos and impressed the Americans. The attack on Chesapeake by the British frustrated the Americans. Raids, burning of houses and crops were common occurrences in war.14 The British also attacked Carney Island in Virginia. Though it was well defended the British attacked Hampton town. The British were eventually defeated at Carney Island and they were embarrassed since they attacked civilians who were unarmed. Such kind of an attack also took place at Stonington, Connecticut, and Saint Ingnoes. Americans were severely hurt. Conclusion In conclusion, it is clear that the War of 1812 deserves to be called the America’s second war of independence. It was aimed at reducing the British Influence and power over the Americans. The impressments issue was not indicated in the Treaty of Ghent and never was it ever heard again in the relation between the British and the Americans. American’s demands for their rights and trading interests were respected. The conflict that existed concerning the Canadian border was settled by the means of war. The war was fought to preserve the American honor and independence during that time. America could not accept foreign influence whatsoever and as a result they had to put up a fight to resist against such attempts. Federalists were defeated by Jefferson, Monroe and Madison. Developments were made in relation to infrastructure and internal developments. The power that the Federalists had was significantly reduced. This paved way for the second system of the American parties. President Madison contributed greatly. The battle was fought but it turned out to be worth it. Bibliography 1. Burch, John. "The Civil War of 1812: American Citizens, British Subjects, Irish Rebels, & Indian Allies." Library Journal 135, 2010, pg.97. 2. Maass, Richard W. “Difficult to Relinquish Territory Which Had Been Conquered”: Expansionism and the War of 1812*." Diplomatic History, 2015, pg.71. 3. Skeen, C. E. "Union 1812: The Americans Who Fought the Second War of Independence - By A. J. Langguth." HISTORIAN -ALBUQUERQUE THEN ALLENTOWN-, 2008, pg.544. 4. Coffin, William Foster, and William Coffin. 1812: The War and Its Moral, A Canadian Chronicle. Applewood Books, 2009, pg.84. 5. ROBERTS, JULIA. "John Galt and the Subaltern's Wife: Writing the History of the War of 1812." Canadian Historical Review97, 2016, pg.342. 6. Campbell, Duncan Andrew. "The Bicentennial of the War of 1812: Reconsidering the “Forgotten Conflict”." American Nineteenth Century History 16, 2015, pg.6. 7. Fitz, Caitlin A. "The Hemispheric Dimensions of Early U.S. Nationalism: The War of 1812, Its Aftermath, and Spanish American Independence." Journal Of American History 102, 2015, pg.360. 8. Black, Jeremy. "The War of 1812." History Today 62, 2012, pg.11. 9. Smith, Gene Allen. "American Phoenix: John Quincy and Louisa Adams, the War of 1812, and the Exile that Saved American Independence." The Historian, 2015, pg.325. 10. Thomas, In St, and Elgin County. "The War of 1812."pg.5. Read More