The War of 1812 – Causes, Summary, Effects

The War of 1812: In the War of 1812, the United States declared war on the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain. The war lasted for over two and a half years and the Treaty of Ghent formally ended the war on February 18, 1815.

The main causes for the war were rules made by Britain that stopped America from trading freely with Europe, and the Royal Navy’s habit of taking American sailors from their ships to work on British ships, which didn’t have enough crew.

In this article, we will look into the War of 1812 in detail, its meaning, history, causes, summary, effects, etc.

What was the War of 1812?

The War of 1812 was a conflict between two nations, The United States and Great Britain. The United States was young and disorganized at that time having a small army, and fewer resources to tackle such a great power. However, the Americans still managed two appreciable victories over the British in battles on or near Lake Erie at the end of 1813. Britain was mainly concerned with its conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte’s France, which also became a major reason for disturbing the peace between the US and Britain.

History of the War of 1812

After the American Revolution, the United States and Great Britain were barely on good terms. The United States had accepted aid from France to achieve victory, but France and Great Britain were longtime enemies.

In the early 1800s, Britain implemented military strategies during the Napoleonic Wars to weaken France which led to an increase in conflicts between the two nations again. Britain was mainly concerned with its conflict with Napoleon Bonaparte’s France. Hence, some measures were taken which were against America’s national pride, to prevent the United States from providing France with supplies, or support. Those actions of the British became a major reason for disturbing the peace between the US and Britain. Hence the War of 1812 took place.

Causes of the War of 1812

After the American Revolution, the United States and Great Britain were barely on good terms. The United States had accepted aid from France to achieve victory, but France and Great Britain were longtime enemies. In the early 1800s, Britain implemented military strategies during the Napoleonic Wars to weaken France which led to an increase in tensions between the two nations again. Hence the following measures were taken to prevent the United States from providing France with aid, supplies, or support:

• Impressment: British Navy ships often impressed American sailors, and forced them to join the British military services.
• Trade Restrictions: Britain also imposed trade restrictions on the United States, refusing to acknowledge that the US was neutral, they violated the neutral shipping rights of the United States.
• Native American Relations: Britain supported Native American tribes to resist American expansion, mainly in the Northwest Territory. They allied with a Native American union led by Shawnee oracler Tenskwatawa and his brother Tecumseh who had arisen to challenge US settlement in the territory.
• National Honor and Expansionism: Some Americans saw the war as an opportunity to maintain national honour and expand territory into British North America. The British supported the native Americans to prevent US expansion and protect British interests in Canada by creating a Native American state between US territory and British Canada.

Timeline of the War of 1812

Year	Event
1812	– June 18: United States declares war on Britain.
	– August 16: U.S. surrenders Detroit to British forces.
	– October 13: British repelled at Battle of Queenston Heights.
1813	– April 27: Americans capture York (now Toronto).
	– September 10: American naval victory on Lake Erie.
	– October 5: Battle of the Thames; Tecumseh killed.
	– November 10: British raid burns Buffalo, New York.
1814	– August 24: British capture Washington, D.C., and burn the White House.
	– September 12-15: British repelled at Battle of Baltimore, inspiring “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
	– December 24: Treaty of Ghent signed, ending the war (though news hadn’t reached the Americas yet).
1815	– January 8: Battle of New Orleans; American victory, though fought after the treaty was signed.
	– February 16: Treaty of Ghent ratified by the U.S. Senate, officially ending the war.

Who Fought the War of 1812?

The capture of American ships and sailors, combined with the British support of Tecumseh’s revolt, led to discussions in Congress for war against Great Britain. Many Federalists opposed the war since they believed it would disturb the naval trade on which major northeastern businesses depended. However, at last, Congress approved the president’s decision to declare war against Britain in June 1812.

The “war hawks,” led by Henry Clay from Kentucky and John C. Calhoun from South Carolina, actively supported the idea of war, they proclaimed that they would not tolerate these British insults to American honour.

The US military strategy focused on capturing parts of Canada in the hopes of forcing British compromise. The United States had fewer resources and a small army. However, they still managed two appreciable victories over the British in the fall of 1813.

Tecumseh, who was fighting from the British side, was killed and Native American resistance was crushed in the Battle of the Thames.

Andrew Jackson led the Battle of New Orleans and became a national hero after his victory in the Battle.

When did the War of 1812 End?

The war ended on February 18, 1815. When the war with France ended in April 1814, then the British were able to focus on their war with the United States. US President James Madison’s demands, which were, the return of trading rights and the end of impressment, were fulfilled because, with the British no longer at war with France, these actions were stopped. Hence, on 18 February 1815, the two nations signed the Treaty of Ghent and declared peace.

Who Won the War of 1812?

No one won the war. The War of 1812 ended in a draw. The Treaty of Ghent was signed in Belgium and announced on February 18, 1815, after both nations had signed it.

Effects of the War of 1812

The war affected both nations, especially the United States, negatively and positively. Both nations suffered great losses. Here are some of the negative outcomes of the war:

• About 15,000 Americans and approximately 8,600 British and Canadians died in the War of 1812.
• In the Battle of Bladensburg in August 1814, the British burned Washington, DC, spoiled the White House, and hurt US national pride.
• The battle caused economic instability among the nations.

With the negative effects of war such as deaths, injuries, and economic problems, the war ended with some good effects, mainly for the United States. Which are mentioned below.

• The respect of the United States increased in the hearts of Americans. The feeling of pride in being an independent nation increased. The war is also known as the “Second War of Independence” for this reason.
• With the death of Tecumseh in battle, the Native American alliance system was at its end. The British also abandoned their Native American allies. Without any protection from the British, and very little tribal unity, Native Americans suffered further defeats as the United States continued to expand to the West.
• The British continued to move to the north to expand their territory but were unable to capture Baltimore in the Battle of Fort McHenry and during this time, Francis Scott Key wrote the poem, the Star-Spangled Banner, that became the US national anthem.

Summary of the War 1812 (1812 -1815)

The War of 1812 is summarized in the table below:

June 18th, 1812	The United States officially declared war against the United Kingdom.
Declaration by	The American President of that time James Madison.
Causes	Impressment of American sailors, restrictions over trade, western expansion, and Native American policy.
Important American figures	The “war hawks,” led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, Oliver Hazard Perry, Jacob Brown, Winfield Scott, William Henry Harrison, and Andrew Jackson.
Important British figures	Isaac Brock, Robert Ross, Edward Pakenham, Gordon Drummond, Tecumseh (native American soldier who fought alongside the British).
Deaths	15,000 Americans, 8,600 British and Canadians, deaths among native Americans are unknown.
Effects	Deaths, economic instability, strengthening of America, and peace between the two nations for two centuries.
1814	Burning of Washington DC by British military.
Feb 18, 1815	War officially ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent in modern-day Belgium.
Result	The War of 1812 was a tie between the two nations.

Conclusion – The War of 1812

In the War of 1812, the United States fought against the greatest naval power in the world, Great Britain, which had a great impact on the future of America. The main causes of the war were the British restricting U.S. trade, and the Royal Navy’s impressment of American sailors.

The United States suffered many major losses by British, Canadian, and Native Americans in the War, which included the burning of the United States’ capital, Washington D.C., in 1814. But, America was able to fight with the British in New York, Baltimore, and New Orleans. The Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war. Many Americans celebrated the War of 1812 as a “second war of independence,” showing feelings of love and national pride toward their country.

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FAQs on The War of 1812

What was the War of 1812 fought for?

The War of 1812 (1812-15) was fought between the United States and Great Britain, over the impressment of American sailors by the British Navy, as well as restrictions over trade, western expansion, and Native American policy.

Who started the War of 1812?

On June 18, 1812, President James Madison declared war against Great Britain. He marked the beginning of the War of 1812.

How many people died in the War of 1812?

15,000 Americans and about 8,600 British and Canadians died in the War of 1812. Causes were death from battle or disease.

What was the result of the War of 1812?

The results of the War of 1812, which was fought between Britain and the United States from 1812 to 1814, included no boundary changes. The main result of the War of 1812 was two centuries of peace between the two countries.

What was the Treaty of Ghent and what did it do?

A meeting of American and British commissioners in Belgium ended with the signing of the Treaty of Ghent on December 24, 1814. Great Britain agreed to remove claims to the Northwest Territory, and both countries pledged to work toward ending the slave trade.