Tour audio War of 1812

The War of 1812 (18 June 1812 to 16 February 1815) was a conflict fought between the United States and its allies, and Great Briton and its dependent colonies in North America. Native Americans fought in the war on both sides. The United States declared war on Britain on June 18, 1812, for a combination of reasons, to include: outrage at the British Navy seizing thousands of American sailors to serve on British war and merchant ships, frustration at British restrictions on neutral trade, and anger at British military support for hostile tribes in the Ohio-Indiana-Michigan area. Part of the American strategy was deploying several hundred privateers to attack British merchant ships, which hurt British commercial interests, especially in the West Indies.

Causes of the war included British attempts to restrict U.S. trade, the Royal Navy’s impressment of American seamen, and America’s desire to expand its territory.

American troops were able to repulse British invasions in New York, Baltimore and New Orleans, boosting national confidence and fostering a new spirit of patriotism. The ratification of the Treaty of Ghent on February 17, 1815, ended the war.