The War of 1812 had several causes, including American expansion into Native American lands which Britain encouraged, tensions between the U.S., Britain, and France during the Napoleonic Wars that led to attacks on American merchant ships and impressment of U.S. sailors, and economic sanctions like the Embargo Act of 1807 that failed to stop the attacks but hurt the American economy. Frustrated by Britain's continued raids and impressment of sailors, President Madison officially led the U.S. into war against Britain in 1812 despite the British no longer wanting war with America.

1. The War of 1812
~ Causes of the war

2. Causes of the War
• In the early 1800’s as Americans expanded
west they met fought with Native
Americans, such as the Shawnee, as they
moved onto their lands.
• The British, who were settling in
Canada, made things worse by encouraging
Native Americans to attack American
settlements.

3. Causes of the War
• The Shawnee, led by Tecumseh and The
Prophet united Tribes in conflict against
American settlers.
• In 1811, Indiana Governor, William Henry
Harrison was convinced that if Tecumseh
united all of the tribes, the US might lose all
the lands west of the Appalachian Mountains.

4. Causes of the War
• The British and French were at war with each
other and US merchant ships got caught in the
middle of the fighting and were attacked.
• To stop Americans from trading with the
French and other Europeans, they stopped
American merchant ships at sea.

5. Causes of War
• British then kidnapped US sailors and put
them to work on British ships against their
will. This was called impressment.
• The US Army and Navy were not strong
enough for war, so Thomas Jefferson asked
lawmakers to stop all foreign trade with the
Embargo Act of 1807.

6. Causes of War
• Jefferson hoped that Britain and France, in
order to get American goods, would stop
attacking American ships.
• This plan didn’t work. The American economy
depended on trade.
• Congress ended the Embargo Act.
• British and French continued to raid US ships,
but Americans most mad at British.

7. A Nation Goes to War
• In 1810 James Madison, a supporter of going
to War was elected president.
• In June of 1812, the House of Representatives
declared war with Britain.
• By a narrow vote the Senate also declared
war.

8. A Nation Goes to War
• The British were already at war with France
and did not want another war, they agreed to
stop attacking American ships.
• Word did not reach the US in time and the
Americans went to war with England.