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The War of 1812: a Nation United

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Submitted By pianolover14
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The end of the tyrannical rule of the British through the Revolutionary war brought a sense of pride, patriotism and unity to the new United States. The British had long dictated the path of the Americas in order to bring about prosperity for Great Britain with little regard for the Americas. The Revolutionary war ended that or so the United States thought. As the new nation forged its own path to recognition as a sovereign nation based freedom and liberty, there were continuous internal conflicts over the balance of governmental powers, military preparedness, westward expansion, economic prosperity, slavery and diplomacy with other nations. The War of 1812, also known as the second war of independence, or rather the end of the war, reignited passion in the hearts and souls of all Americans with a little help from a General Andrew Jackson and forced Great Britain to respect all the rights the United States deserved as a nation.
The Napoleonic War was waging in Europe between Great Britain and France. The United States had full intentions of remaining neutral throughout the conflict. The attempts of the United States to carry on normal trade relations with both Great Britain and France were nearly impossible. Great Britain and France continuously interfered in the commercial trade routes in Europe and the world with blockades and seizures. The use of impressments and requirements for trade were Great Britain’s way of ignoring the rights the United States has as a nation and the right to remain neutral in times of war. In Napoleon’s Milan Decree, he stated that the decree “shall cease to have any effect with respect to all nations who shall have the firmness to compel the English to respect their flag.” Great Britain used its power and might to force the United States to bend to their rules and policies rather than Great Britain abiding “by the principles of the law

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