Thursday, September 19, 2019
War of 1812 :: essays research papers
War of 1812: United States Wages War      The American Revolution did not mark the end of tensions and hostilities between Britain and the newly independent United States. Neither country was pleased with the agreements made at the conclusion of the American Revolution. Americans were angry with the British for failing to withdraw their British soldiers from American territory and their unwillingness to sign trade agreements favorable to the United States.      The division of land and the loss of the Ohio River Valley left Canada and Britain without access to the valuable fur trade. The Ohio River Valley was full of Amerindians that supported the British during the American Revolution      This American resentment grew even more during the French Revolutionary Wars (1792-1802) and the Napoleonic Wars (1803-15). Britain attempted to blockade the entire continent of Europe. France boycotted all British goods in any French territory; France later ordered their ports to any neutral ships that have visited a British port prior to arriving in a French port. Britain then ordered that all neutral ships must dock at a British port in order to acquire a license before traveling to Europe. Americans considered both countries’ actions a violation of their Neutral Rights; however, Britain had the more powerful navy and, therefore, dominated the seas. This created a deeper feeling of bitterness toward Britain.      Neutral Rights violations did not stop with British and French maritime policies. Many sailors in the British Royal Navy had deserted and immigrated to the United States; they served as sailors on American merchant ships. The Neutral Rights clearly states points regarding naval boarding and seizure: †¢Ã‚     Belligerents have the right to search for war material on neutral shipping during time of war, but cannot deny the right of trade among neutrals. †¢Ã‚     Belligerent armies are not to enter or engage in hostilities in a neutral nation and are subject to internment if they do so. Rumors of British Royal Navy ships searching, seizing and impressing British and American citizens from merchant ships ran wild throughout the United States. Impressment refers to the forcing of people into military service. In June 1807, all rumors were proved true; an American ship, the Chesapeake, was fired upon by a British vessel, the Leopard, after refusing to stop. This incident occurred well within U.S. territory.      In 1810, the Non-Intercourse Act expired and Congress created a law that permitted trade with either France or England, whichever nation first promised to stop harassing American shipping.
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