The War of 1812 was a 32 month military conflict between the United States and the British Empire and their allies which resulted in a resolution of many issues remaining from the American War of Independence.
Causes
One of the causes was trade with France. This was a problem because the British was at war with France and still saw the americans as their property. Trade restrictions were brought about because of Britain's ongoing war with France. This was irritating to the United States because they were now their own independent country. Even though they the United States was independent Britain still tried to tell the U.S who they can and cant trade with.
Impressment was one of several causes of the War of 1812. Great Britain practiced the policy of impressment, stopping American ships and claiming that some sailors were British deserters from the British navy and forcing them to serve on British war ships. Impressment had been a policy of Great Britain for a long time. This angered the United States because their ship crews were being taken by Great Britain.
The Britsh supported Indian raids which caused further conflicts. This prevented U.S expansion into Northwest territory. The British supported these raids because the Northwest territory provided a buffer between the U.S and Canada, of which the British controled. American expansion was slowed and farmers were unable to produce goods in the Northwest territory which angered the Americans.
Political conflicts also caused conflicts. American presidents from Washington to Madison tried to keep the United States impartial during foreign conflicts, but both France and Britain deliberately ignored the rights of neutral countries. This irritated the president and also Congress. This anger eventually led to Congress declaring war on Great Britain.
