In January 1812, Congress authorized the US Army to rise to 30,000 officers and men plus 30,000 one-year volunteers. In early 1812, the US Army only had 4000 officers and enlisted men. After the war was declared in Congress, there were riots in Baltimore, June through August, against the war. Many Americans were not in favor of another war with Britain. They felt the natives could be easily defeated if the British were removed.

The British gave supplies and weapons to the natives, who were continually in conflict with the American settlers.The British policy of Impressment of British and American sailors to serve in the Royal Navy.(The French had actually taken more ships than the British, but the French were considered allies)

The British naval blockade of Europe in the war with Napoleon.The Americans also felt it was a chance to take territory in Canada from the British. They were busy in Europe fighting Napoleon, but their policies provided the Americans justification to declare war June 12, 1812. Great Britain was not anxious to fight another war with the Americans. That battle, along with the continued maritime issues, led to the convening of the War Congress in November 1811. The Americans won but suffered heavy losses. The Prophet’s forces attacked the Americans led by Territorial Governor, William Henry Harrison. The British supported the Indian Confederation, led by Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet. On November 7, 1811, Americans defeated the Indian Confederation at the Battle of Tippecanoe in the Indiana Territory. James Madison became President in March 1809. In December 1807, President Thomas Jefferson placed an Embargo against the British. In June 1807, an international incident was caused when the British ship, “Leopard”, fired on the American “Chesapeake”. Secretary of State, James Madison, reported this interference to Congress in January 1806. They would take British citizens off American ships to serve in their navy, but took Americans as well. The British began the policy of Impressment of American sailors into the British Navy in 1803. Some Americans felt they were ready to push their territories to the North and oust the British from Canada. The Americans wanted to remind the British of their hard-won sovereignty. It has been referred to as the “Second War of Independence” from Britain since the combatants were the same. Historians don’t always agree about the winner and loser of the War of 1812.

American navy war of 1812