The War of 1812
By: Sara Edwards
What Caused the War of 1812?
In June of 1812, President James Madison asked Congress to declare war with England. A group of people called War Hawks wanted this war, so they pushed Madison into it. The War Hawks wanted to reopen trade with Britain and France, have national pride, and stop the British impressment of American sailors. The War Hawks wanted to get the British out of North America, ridding them from Canada as well.
Some Americans didn't want to go to war with Britain. The U.S. army was small, and the British army was giant and strong. Some Americans that wanted to go to war thought that the Canadians would welcome them and quickly join the U.S. to rid the British from North America, but this didn't happen. Instead, the Canadians sided with the British, their home country.
War Hawks
The War Hawks were a group of people that wanted to go to war with Britain. They wanted many things to come from the war, such as reopening trade with Britain and France, having national pride, and stopping British impressment of American sailors. In June of 1812, the War Hawks convinced President James Maddison to ask congress to declare war on Britain.
Effects of the War
After the war, the United States came out with more than what they were hoping for. The U.S. gained national identity, national pride, westward expansion, the end of bad feelings with Britain, and more. After the war, the British impressment of American sailors stopped as well. Also, during the war, Francis Scott Key wrote the words to the Star Spangled Banner.