The War of 1812

The War of 1812 was a conflict mainly rooted in the United States and Britain’s conflict over trade rights and sovereignty. The United States still felt the burden of Britain’s regulations when American ships were forced to port at British docks, where the British took many American sailors. The British claimed that they were taking reparations for lost slaves during the Revolutionary War, but many of these sailors were white sailors. This activity plus the threat of a British-Indian alliance in the west and north were reasons enough to push the United States to the brink of conflict.

There was much support behind a military conflict against the British. One reason, supported by Congressional member Felix Grundy, was to drive the British from Canada and effectively destroying the influence of the Crown in the Americas. This would prevent any attempts at a takeover by Britain or an alliance with Native American tribes who were jilted by the Americans. Grundy also mentions the Canadian province being part of the north, thereby stabilizing the populations of the North and the South, which would effect representation. 

John Calhoun was a reluctant supporter of conflict. His first instinct was to push for peace but since the British were so clearly breaking the precedent established by the United States and its independence, conflict was a necessity. Also, he mentioned slave insurrection in the Americas. If the United States were at full military readiness, slaves would not rise against their masters as in the case of the Revolutionary War. 

Henry Clay was a strong proponent of war, feeling that any sign of submission on the parts of the Americans would show the weakness of the nation in front of their former oppressors. It was time to take back the trade rights and the ways that the Americans fought so hard for in the Revolutionary War.