CAUSES AND CONSEQUENSES OF 1812 WAR / MANIFEST DESTINY

The War of 1812 was a military conflict between the U.S. and Great Britain. As a colony of Great
Britain, Canada was swept up in the War of 1812 and was invaded several times by the Americans.
The process of naming the War of 1812 for its year of commencement, even though it lasted into
1814, developed slowly through the 19th century. The war of American independence was meant to
militarily defeat the 18th century superpower of the world and formally declare their independence
as sovereign nation.

At the outset of the 19th century, Great Britain was locked in a long and bitter conflict with Napoleon
Bonaparte's France. In an attempt to cut off supplies from reaching the enemy, both sides attempted
to block the U.S. from trading with the other. In 1807, Britain passed the Orders in Council, which
required neutral countries to obtain a license from its authorities before trading with France or
French colonies. The Royal Navy also outraged Americans by its practice of impressments, or
removing seamen from U.S. merchant vessels and forcing them to serve on behalf of the British.

In 1809, the U.S. Congress repealed Thomas Jefferson's unpopular Embargo Act, which by restricting
trade had hurt Americans more than either Britain or France. Its replacement, the Non-Intercourse
Act, specifically prohibited trade with Britain and France. It also proved ineffective, and in turn was
replaced with a May 1810 bill stating that if either power dropped trade restrictions against the U.S.,
Congress would in turn resume non-intercourse with the opposing power. After Napoleon hinted he
would stop restrictions, President James Madison blocked all trade with Britain that November.
Meanwhile, new members of Congress elected that year - led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun -
had begun to agitate for war, based on their indignation over British violations of maritime rights as
well as Britain's encouragement of Native American hostility against American expansion in the West.
According to America historians, the main reason for the war was British violation of sovereign rights
of the U.S. ships and London policy of encouraging indigenous tribes settled in the region of Canada
and North-west.

The immediate cause leading to the beginning of the war of 1812 was economic recession which
adversely affected southern and western states from 1808-10. The prime reason for the recession
was British policies of economic blockade of America. Therefore, a group emerged within the
congress known as ‘War Hawks’, primarily from the south and west under the leadership of Henry
Clay. The war hawks called for the expulsion of the Britain from Canada and Spain from Florida. The
infringement of the U.S. rights as a neutral nation in trans-Atlantic maritime trade; and the
perception that the British and Spanish were impediments to expansion of the U.S. through a
number of factors including facilitation and direct lethal aid provided to indigenous tribes raiding
American settlements caused the U.S. to declare war on the British and initiate the War of 1812.

Another factor was the American desire for expansion and territorial acquisition. In particular, the
United States was eager to annex Canada, which was still a British colony at the time. Many
Americans believed that Canada was rightfully theirs, and that its incorporation into the United
States would strengthen the country both economically and militarily. The idea of expanding
American territory was not a new one, but it gained significant traction in the years leading up to the
war.

James Madison, who became the American president in 1809, listed impressments, the continued
presence of British ships in American waters, British violation of neutral rights, and British incitement
of the indigenous tribes as factors for war. Treaty of Ghent signed in 1814, ignoring the issues that
had felled the conflict and establishing no clear victor, clearly showed that this war should never
have been fought. Thus, the war of 1812 marked a major watershed in American history.

America's decision to go to war with England in 1812 was considered foolish, because Britain was a
major trade partner and because the U.S. had weak military forces. However, the consequences of
the war were very important to the U.S. The war of 1812 is considered to be the Second War of
Independence in American history. This was the first war America fought against Britain after the war
of independence in 1776. Immediately after the war, America witnessed the new spirit of
nationalism reflected in the construction of Presidential Palace, i.e., White House, as it was give
white paint to erase the memory of being burnt down.

A principal gain for the U.S. was a renewed self-confidence and faith in the strength of its military to
help the nation. Even though neither side gained any territory, the American people saw the war as
evidence of the success of the democratic side. American's felt unified after the War of 1812. The
war also saw the rise of Andrew Jackson in the US Politics after becoming the military war hero. The
National Republican party began to believe that the U.S. was now a strong nation capable of
politically strong. The Republicans learnt many lessons from this war and they began to adopt many
policies of the Federalists groups.

The War of 1812 helped the growth of manufacturers. Since the war, there was a disruption of trade
and that promoted and developed manufacturing in the U.S. The wartime experience produced a
need for another national bank. The second Bank of the U.S. was chartered in 1816. Also, the
American textile industry went through a growth increase, and the War of 1812 helped with this
expansion. In 1813, Francis Lowell organized the Boston Manufacturing Company and found the first
mill in America. This was an important step in revolutionizing American manufacturing.

During the war it was difficult to ship products, packages and parcels. There was a huge economic
need for improvement in America's transportation system. With a better transportation system,
manufacturers would have access to importing and exporting goods. The construction of the
National Road began at Cumberland, Maryland. Steam-powered shipping quickly emerged as
another transportation option. The development of the steamboats were very popular as they could
carry more cargo than flatboats, barges and others vessels. Railroads, turnpikes, and canals were
becoming more helpful.

The concept of Manifest Destiny was not yet fully formed at the time of the War of 1812. However,
the war did help to shape and reinforce this idea, as the United States emerged from the conflict
with a renewed sense of national pride and a greater sense of its own power and potential. Manifest
Destiny was the belief that the United States was destined to expand its territory and influence
across North America. This concept was fueled by a range of factors, including economic
opportunities, cultural and ideological superiority, and a belief in the inherent goodness of American
values and institutions.

The War of 1812 was not a prelude to Manifest Destiny in the strictest sense, as the concept was not
yet fully developed at the time. However, the war did help to shape and reinforce the idea of
American expansionism. The conflict highlighted the importance of territorial acquisition and
demonstrated the potential benefits of expanding American influence. It also gave rise to a renewed
sense of national pride and a belief in the power and potential of the United States.

In conclusion, the War of 1812 was a complex and multifaceted conflict with a range of economic,
political, and territorial factors at play. While it cannot be said to have been a direct prelude to
Manifest Destiny, it did help to shape and reinforce this concept in the years that followed. The war
highlighted the importance of territorial acquisition and gave rise to a renewed sense of American
pride and power. The consequences of the war would be felt for decades to come, as the United
States continued to expand its territory and influence across North America.