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How Was The War Of 1812 Justified

Decent Essays

Hellen Wang
War of 1812 Essay

"A Free Trade and Sailors Rights," a quote that became a political slogan and a rallying cry during the War of 1812. For America, the War of 1812 was justified. Great Britain attempted to restrict U.S. trade by seizing American men and “impressing” them, Britain started inciting Indian attacks on the frontier and provided arms and support to Native Americans who attacked settlers, and American "warhawks" desire to go to war with Britain and to take Canada from Britain. Therefore there was no other choice but war. Great Britain and France was locked in a long and bitter conflict. The U.S. wanted to remain neutral, they did not want to get involved and destroy relationships with the two countries. Britain and France in an attempt to cut off supplies from reaching the enemy, both sides attempted to block the United States from trading with the other. …show more content…

waters and forcing them to fight for the British instead. The British justified “impressment” with the idea that American soldiers, once subjects of the King, were always subjects of the King. Between 1793 and 1812, the British impressed more than 15,000 sailors, by 1812 the U.S. had enough and declared war on Britain.
For Native Americans, the War of 1812 was a struggle for freedom and independence. Before the War of 1812, the U.S. were planning to expand onto Native American territories. Most Indian tribes saw their lands at risk, so they sided with the British, and were against the United States. Thus Britain started encouraging Indians to attacks on the frontier. They provided arms and support to Native Americans who attacked settlers. Native Americans led by Tecumseh, defended Canada. After being abandoned by the British, they fought the Americans who were led by William Harrison and

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