FREE ESSAY ON THE WAR OF 1812

THE WAR OF 1812

Introduction
With the ongoing battles between England and France in the early 19th century, the newly
formed United States found itself thrust in the middle of this struggle. In the early
part of the century Napoleon was on a mission to once again establish a mighty French
empire of early years. But with the build up of the royal British Navy the English were
trying fiercely to hold Napoleon in check. The United States was determined to stay
neutral and continue its trading with both nations. However several mandates passed by
both France and England made this very difficult. 
With England's naval blockade and the repeated search and seizure of American trade
vessels, the United States, led by an aggressive group of leaders in congress known as
the Young War Hawks, took a very aggressive approach to Britain and its royal navy.
However, the War Hawks and President Madison also had plans of expansion in mind, to
extend its boarders to the North Pole, home to royal colonies of the now hated Great
Britain. With this plan and the negative feeling toward Britain, the war was just around
the corner. And in June of 1812, a full-fledged war was upon them. The war, which lasted
approximately two years, was a very bloody and costly battle to both the United States
and Britain. 
Systematic Analysis 
To begin to look at this war we must take a look at the system the world was in at the
time. The world was dominated by a bi-polar system, with France and England being the two
poles. However you also had another player in the system, Russia. Although not quite as
powerful as either of the top two, but if thrown in the mix could tip the scales toward
one side or the other. The United States at this time preferred to practice a policy of
isolationism, and stay out of the turbulent affairs of Europe. 
The constant struggle between the French and the British dominated the world scene. The
French who were led by Napoleon were trying to establish an empire and dominate all of
Europe. This struggle had been raging since the turn of the century. The British as in
any bi-polar system were dead set on preventing this from happening. With the United
States only a minor player in the international system at the time there was nothing the
United States could do in this affair except continue its policy of neutrality, and
isolationism. 
With a bi-polar international system, you are always in a position of war breaking out at
anytime, especially in the days before nuclear warheads. With each pole trying to expand
its power and sphere of influence, they were constantly at each other's throat. With
Britain still establishing colonies in the west and gaining dominance over the seas with
their naval abilities, France was looking for ways to stop Britain. 
France began forming alliances with the third player in the game, Russia. With the
addition of the Russians France had Britain reeling and worried about a possible invasion
and defeat. France, by adding Russia had tipped the scales in its favor, and forced
Britain to use its navy that it had begun to build up. Britain began to employ a naval
blockade of the European mainland, to stop all incoming and outgoing trade. With this
tactic employed France employed the same tactic and this is where the American claim of
neutrality was violated. With both Britain and France mandating that any trade ship must
first pass through their ports or be subject acts of hostility, America was forced into a
no win situation.
The United States who continued to try to remain neutral and continue trade with both
countries, found itself thrown right in the middle of this age long battle. The United
States and the British Royal Navy had several encounters, and after several ships being
stopped for search and some even eventually seized, America began to develop an even
stronger feeling of distrust and hatred for the British government. These actions lead
eventually to the United States allying with, it's friend from the Revolution, the
French. With James Madison becoming president in 1809, and with the War Hawks in
Congress, America began to develop a very bitter attitude toward anyone who violated
American rights on the homeland or on the high seas. 
The United States at the time was a newly formed country, with really no place in the
current international system. Nevertheless, with the alignment with France, the United
States became a major player in trying to stop the British in their continued push to
have colonies on the North American continent. With the United States also having a plan
to expand it borders to the north, you have a repeat of the scene in Europe. Britain is
forced to fight a two front war against a very strong and dominant Napoleonic Army, and a
less prepared both economically and in tactical skills, but determined United States
force. 
So in one fact the international system turned lopsided against Britain, with France
forming important alliances with both, Russia in Europe, and The United States in the
west. In fact this was Britain's first scare of an invasion and possible defeat on its
homeland, and then on it's Western front for the second time. This could have resulted in
a shift in the international system to more of a uni-polar system, and Napoleon gaining
the empire he craved. The United States could have possibly stretched from ocean to ocean
and gulf to pole. 
State Analysis
After examining the system, what did each state hope to gain from this war, well let's
begin with France. Napoleon more than anything wanted to rule all of Europe and develop a
French Empire that in some ways mirrored the early French Empires. France has always had
a strong distrust and basic dislike of the British people, which in any case would lead
to a very cautious approach, and an attitude of do unto before done unto. Napoleon had
developed a basic dictatorship of the French government and all its branches of
government. The French people we very trustful of their strong pretentious leader. The
French people would also follow any order that would lead to the defeat of their arch
enemy. If France were victorious in their quest, they would have had a continent full of
resources as well as access to key ports on both the Atlantic Ocean as well as control of
the English mainland. However, the English were successful in heading off the attack and
stopping the advancement of Napoleon and his empire. 
The British were under the rule of the crown still and equally despised their
counterparts. The English however did not set out to start a war with The United States;
they were more worried about stopping Napoleon's advancement and would do whatever it
took to stop it. The naval blockade was set up to cut off supplies and goods to the
French mainland in hopes of wearing Napoleon down. The blockade and embargo required that
all trade ships first dock at British docks and pass inspection before moving on to their
final destinations. With these requirements Britain risked ruining the still shaky
relationship it had with the United States, however any ship that was found to be in
violation of the embargo was subject to search and seizure of its contents and drew which
enraged the American government. The British government was also focused on its colonies
on the North American continent. The British were still reeling from the defeat in the
American Revolution and the loss of its colonies in America. Britain needed to
reestablish itself as one of the major poles after the stunning defeat a little over 30
years before. The British government though was in no way going to allow for a Napoleon
victory, and a possible invasion of their homeland, no matter what the cost were. With
their main focus on Europe and their mistreatment of American vessels, they left
themselves open and vulnerable to a North American invasion by the United States, which
eventually the United States did try to do. 
The United States was at this time no position to wage a war and tried to stay on the
sidelines for as long as they could. The United States, since the inception of the
republic wanted remain isolated to allow for the development of American business, and
industry. The United States relied on both countries for trade and had a strong economic
dependency. The embargo and seizures of American vessels crippled the country in this
period of growth. The United States led by President Madison and The War Hawks developed
a very strong feeling against Britain for its recent actions. With the American
population starting the migration west into the Louisiana-purchase region of the country,
law makers so a possible expansion to the North. With the British occupying the north,
the president and congress saw this as a way to kill two birds with one stone. In an
address to congress President Madison gave these reasons for asking for a deceleration of
war:
" First was the impressment of American citizens into the British Navy. Second he
complained of the British ships off the coast stopping and searching American vessel.
Third was the British blockade by which, he said, "our commerce has been plundered in
every sea." Fourth came the Orders in Council. The major reasons, it would appear, were
maritime rights." 
The United States led by the War Hawks had little fear in invading the northern British
colonies and also declaring was on the British. People looked at this as the second
Independence War and looked for The United States to break the grip that Britain still
had over them. The United States was trying to find its identity and its place in the
international system, as a whole. 
Individual Analysis 
After looking at the system and state, I would like to analyze what the individual thinks
during the war effort. I will start with my old friend Napoleon, and what he was trying
to do. As with almost any human has the drive to be in power. Napoleon just wanted to run
Europe. After nearly 10 years of a constant battle with Britain, Napoleon went to end it
all and gain total control. Napoleon tried to develop several key alliances, including
the United States, and Russia, this allowed Napoleon to pull from a greater resource in
both trade and goods. The French people rallied behind Napoleon and his drive for
dominance of Western Europe and reestablish the French Empire of yesteryear. With popular
support and basically all of Western Europe at his whim, Napoleon went for the kill and
lost bitterly to the British Armed Forces.
The British on the other hand had several motives for their involvement in the war. The
first motive being to protect your homeland and the health of your citizens, Britain did
just this. Britain tried to limit France's trade import as well as output to the United
States. This was the first time that Britain was in any immanent danger of being invaded
and possibly suffering defeat to Napoleon and the French troops. With Britain's superior
Naval defense they effectively wore down and defeated France. However, Britain still had
a problem over in America. When the residents of the royal British colonies, rallied to
stop the American invasion and stop any plans of extending United States territory north.
This is a basic human nature trait to protect your home and stop any further plans of
invasion. British colonials rallied in support of Britain, and so Britain survived a two
front war with public support of their homeland as well as their colonies.
United States on the other hand wanted no part in the early battle, but when pushed
around too much any human, or in this case, any country will rally to prevent any further
bulling by a stronger country. The United States was only looking out for it own
interest, in trying to continue it's economic growth, and continue the foundation for its
republic. Although when presented a plan that looks to good to be true and expand your
national boundaries, or homeland, most people will act and that's exactly what the United
States did in this case. In the case of both the United States and France, both got a
little greedy, and both ended up losing their campaign. So the United States at the
beginning was looking to stand up for itself but when given a little taste of victory,
got greedy and was ever so harshly put back in it's place, by the British government. So
human nature in this war was a huge factor when it comes to making decisions on the
future of each individual state. 
Conclusion
After analyzing The War of 1812, I have come to the conclusion that all three levels of
analysis are important in determining why this war was fought and how this war was
fought. In my opinion each level of analysis become interlocked and you really can't have
one level without the other. When looking at the system as a whole you provide ample
proof that the bi-polar system is very unstable and susceptible to conflict at anytime,
especially when the two powers are countries that have been at each other since their
creation. Each country is trying to gain dominance over the other. Napoleon would not
stop his process until he accomplished his goal or was defeated. 
The state level also ties into the system, as the states goal was dominance or defeat.
The United States tried to invade modern day Canada to increase it national territory and
fought many bloody, deadly battles in order to accomplish this goal. Which they
eventually failed and did not gain any territory but did not lose any either, the British
also attempted to capture key cities and failed as well.
Individual level you see how countrymen will rally in support of their country and this
is plain and simply human nature. That is why when you look at the three levels they all
are interlocked and must have one, in this war, to have the other. So in a war that was a
defeat for France and a draw for the United States and Britain, each level was very
prominent and a necessity in The War of 1812.