War of 1812
Impressment
America declared neutrality and wanted to trade with both. Neither Britain or France accepted neutrality. Britain again captured ships and kidnapped sailors
Economic Problems: Embargo of 1807
Jefferson proposed an embargo to avoid war. Kept American ships safe and avoided war. Without European trade, the American economy suffered
"War Hawks" elected
War Hawks wanted war against Britain. Britain had damaged their trade with Europe. They blamed Britain for indian attacks on the frontier.
British impressed
British “impressed” or kidnapped American sailors and forced them to work on British ships. Between 1803 to 1812, the British impressed about 6,000 American sailors.
Americans believe British push Native Americans to fight settlers
Many American settlers believed that the British were stirring up the Native resistance to frontier settlement.
Western members of the House of Representatives (called War Hawks) want to expand into Canada.
Leaders such as Congressman Henry Clay angrily demanded war against Britain. These “war hawks” wanted British aid to Natives Americans stopped, and they wanted the British out of Canada