"The War of 1812 was America's Second War for Independence."

Essay by Locagurl237High School, 11th gradeA+, October 2004

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The War of 1812, also known as the "forgotten war," was a struggle to maintain American Independence from Great Britain. The war lasted for more than two years, and while it ended much like it started, in stalemate; it was in fact a war that once and for all confirmed American Independence. This conflict was caused mainly by the United States's resentment of British naval harassment. The United States, still an unstable country, risked national disaster by again going to a war with powerful Great Britain. From the end of the American Revolution in 1783, the United States had been irritated by the failure of the British to withdraw from American territory; their backing of the Indians on Americans' frontiers; and their unwillingness to sign commercial agreements favorable to the United States. These factors cause much American resentment which led to America's second War for Independence.

Conveniently, another source of tension was created between the United States and Britain.

In time, France came to dominate much of the continent of Europe, while Britain remained supreme on the seas. The two powers also fought each other commercially: Britain attempted to blockade the continent of Europe, and France tried to prevent the sale of British goods in French possessions. In 1805, American shippers were taking advantage of the hostilities in Europe to absorb the carrying trade. By breaking the passage, they evaded seizure under British rule of 1756. However, in the Essex Case, resulted in the seizure of American ships. In November 1806, Napoleon ordered that all European ports under his control be closed to British ships. Britain replied with a series of Orders in Council. These required all neutral ships to acquire a license in a British port before they could sail to Europe.

The division of land after the...