Early U.S. History

Name

nInstitution

nCourse

nDate

nEarly U.S. History

nIntroduction

nThe Great Britain and the United States were involved in the War of 1812, which took place from 1812-1815. Research indicates that various factors contributed to the emergence of the war. Firstly, the Americans felt that the Great Britain had failed to honor its sovereignty by declining to surrender the western forts (Bickham 13). In addition, the issue of impressment fuelled the conflict as the Great Britain seized sea vessels belonging to the Americans. More importantly, the trade restrictions imposed by Britain against the US was a cause of the war (Hickey 20). The paper will examine the major causes of this war.

nThe Treaty of Paris demanded that Britain must submit the western forts to the US following the end of Revolutionary War. However, the Great Britain refused to do so which ignited the conflicts between the two countries. Precisely, the Americans felt that their sovereignty was not respected which encouraged them to declare war against their former colonial rule in order to acquire full sovereignty over their land (Bickham 17). Additionally, the Britain started the concept of impressment, which entailed halting US sea vessels and compelling sailors to join the military. According to the British, the practice was justifiable because the US defense forces were once Kings subjects and remained to be so (Hickey 23). However, the US believed that this was contrary to their independence and rights.

nSince the Great Britain was at war with France at the time, it introduced numerous trade restrictions against the US aiming to stop its trade with the French. However, the US interpreted the move as contrary to its rights to do business with both parties as a neutral partner. Furthermore, the US was aggrieved by the act that Britain was supplying ammunitions to Native Americans in order to fight the American settlers in the western frontiers (Bickham 19).

nConclusion

nThe War of 1812 was caused by emerging conflicts between the Great Britain and the US. Some of the causes of this war included the trade restrictions imposed by Britain against the Americans and the concept of impressment (Hickey 20). Moreover, the Americans were believed that Britain was sponsoring the Native Americans to fight the settlers in the western frontiers. Finally, they were aggrieved by the fact that it had failed to honor the Treaty of Paris.

n

nWork Cited

nBickham, Troy. The Weight of Vengeance: The United States, the British Empire, and the War of 1812. OUP USA, 2012. Print.

nHickey, Donald R. The War of 1812: A forgotten conflict. University of Illinois Press, 2012. Print.