Top-Rated Free Essay
Preview

The Effects of the War of 1812

Good Essays
836 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
The Effects of the War of 1812
The War of 1812 has always been a part of American history not very exiting to learn about for most Americans. It was a tumultuous time for the New Republic and some of the battles of the war shamed the new nation. The War of 1812 did not have the same glorious, honorable, and just cause of the American Revolution. The British made fools of the American people and even burned the Capitol and the White House, the centers of American politics, to the ground. However as shameful as the war was, it also had some good benefits and it demonstrated to Great Britain and the rest of the world that the United States of America was its own sovereign nation, and not some British Sphere of Influence. Although the treaty of Ghent failed to address the important issues that brought the United States to war, the War of 1812 helped the country improve itself internally by way of increased nationalism, greater industrialization and a more stable economy, and an overall safer nation. After the War of 1812 the people of the United States of America started to take a greater pride in their country and a nationalism rivaling that experienced during the American Revolution was felt throughout the states. After the War of 1812, the great hostilities of the Federalist and Democratic-Republican parties were broken as the Federalist Party was ruined and most of its members were absorbed into the Democratic-Republican Party. The result of this was a more unified government. Although many officials still disagreed with one another, as they were expected to, there were no longer the titanic battles that were present at the turn of the century. Because the politicians were less partisan, they were able to focus more on issues facing the nation and make decisions that were more for the good of the majority and less for the good of their parties. Besides the greater unity in the government there was a greater unity in the people. The final battles of the war and the end of impressment led the American people to believe that they had truly won the war. This led to a new pride in their nation. They know felt more like one people, and the basic American ideals and principles further developed during the "Era of Good Feelings." Another benefit of the War of 1812 was the growth of American industry. The Embargo Act before the war and the blockade during the war had halted American trade. Because of the halt in trade New England merchants and investors started to become entrepreneurs. Many factories and companies were started during and after the war. The textile industry led the way with its large mills. Also during the war there was a greater demand for goods and equipment to be used by the army. This caused an increase in business in some factories and as a result more job openings. This industrialization reduced American dependence from the rest of the world. This meant that other countries could not fully control the prices they charged for their manufactured goods, therefore strengthening America's power. The creation of factories also caused the government and private investors to make internal improvements such as roads and canals for the easier transportation of goods from the factories to the markets. The War of 1812 helped America industrialize making it less helpless and more economically independent. Besides nationalism and industrialization that the War of 1812 helped create a safer nation. After the war American politicians started to strengthen the national army and national navy. This meant that American would not be ill-prepared militarily in future wars. It also meant that America could better protect its borders from the Native Americans. The War of 1812 also eternally weakened many Native Americans. During the Battle of Tippecanoe, the Midwest Indians lost Tecumseh and with him their unity. Also during the war, Andrew Jackson brutally massacred many Creek Indians forcing them to give up 23 million acres. The war permanently secured American sovereignty. To say that the War of 1812 had no good consequences for American would be a terrible lie. The war increased the country's nationalism and united its people. It industrialized it, turning it into a modern nation. The war also made the country safer, as it would not be forced to wage war on a strong country for a long time. It does not matter that the Treaty of Ghent did not mention any of the issues that had pressed the United States to war with Great Britain, because after the War of 1812, Napoleon's Empire was lost and Britain no longer felt threatened by the Americans allying France. Impressment stopped and the Orders in Council were not enforced until they were silently revoked. The War of 1812 had great benefits on the United States even if the Treaty of Ghent made no mention of the issues present between the U.S. and Great Britain before the war.

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    History 1301 Mid-Term Exam Review Sheet Bernal Diaz del Castillo- conquistador; on Walter Raleigh first expedition to Cuba, discovered Yucatan Roanoke Island coast; third expedition under Cortés, Mercantilism conquered the Aztecs & wrote an eyewitness Joint Stock Company account of the conquest of Mexico by the Royal Colony Spaniards for Hernán Cortés. Jamestown…

    • 789 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    FRQ Era of Good Feelings

    • 1241 Words
    • 3 Pages

    Before the Era of Good Feelings began, the role of the war of 1812 united the nation through…

    • 1241 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Read All Abut War of 1812

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages

    * The War of 1812 (1812-1814) was one of the worst-fought wars in American history for all of the following reasons:…

    • 440 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    “The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict” written by Donald R. Hickey tells the story of the second and last battle between America and Britain. The history book was published in the year 1989 which contains 480 pages. The book was published at the University of Illinois Press and this book is even a Bicentennial edition. Donald R. Hickey mostly focuses on the land battles, politics, and struggles armies had to go through. After reading this book, I determined the true meaning behind Hickey’s book “The War of 1812: A Forgotten Conflict”.…

    • 437 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    The Era of Good Feelings after the War of 1812 was a time where many rejoiced in the decision that the war had ended. On the other hand many saw it as a burden and felt as if they carried the brunt and financial deficit that it caused. Prior to the war, Britain and the United States decided to sign a treaty and stop the fighting because Russia wanted the British to stop fighting so they could help Russia to fight the French. Within this treaty America didn’t gain or lose anything to the British, establishing a patriotic sense in the Americas.…

    • 472 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    His Week 5 Assignment 1

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages

    America tried to preserve their neutrality and their rights by stopping all foreign trade, which had diverse effects. This led to a huge drop in American export sand significantly hurt the national economy. Americans felt that they had stood by and watched Great Britain violate their rights for years – declaring war was another chance to affirm American independence. Neither side scored a conclusive victory in The War of 1812, though the U.S. did achieve significant victories at battles such as Lake Erie, Fort McHenry, and the Battle of New Orleans.…

    • 284 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Dbq Era Of Good Feelings

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages

    After its victory over Britain in the War of 1812, the United States of America became immersed in national pride which led to Era of Good Feelings, a period of unprecedented political unity. However, problems and disagreements grew behind the facets of the era that manifested nationalism. Sectionalism began to form as the dissent between the north and the south and different political figures intensified.…

    • 943 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Winning the War of 1812 against Britain, brought a sense of unity and peace to Americans. The national economy was flourishing. As a result of the war Americans experienced a “new surge of patriotic nationalism…” This period was known as the “Era of Good Feelings.”…

    • 249 Words
    • 1 Page
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The period after the War of 1812 is labeled as “Era of Good Feelings” which is accurate culturally but it’s proved economically and socially false. Therefore the idea of the “Era of Good Feelings” only actually applies to the growth of intense nationalism and not the political, social, and economic aspects from 1815 to 1825. Nationalism, which emphasizes the pride a person has for their nation, supported the label “Era of Good Feelings” but sectionalism showed differences in regions and therefore contradicted the label.…

    • 274 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    Andrew Jackson looked on toward a new democracy after his victory at New Orleans. The changes in this time period, after the war of 1812, would send America into a troubled future. The Post war political and economic changes would prove to be another stepping stone in America's evolving democracy.…

    • 687 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    America faced many changes after the war of 1812 in many aspects. Most changes were extremely positive and therefore the time after the war was labeled the, “Era of Good Feelings.” Many topics could support this claim; however the emergence of nationalism and sectionalism helped determine the extreme accuracy of this label. Nationalism delivered a sense of pride and a new found love for the peoples’ free country of America; such as the 4th of July, and the protesting against the Russian “Holy Alliance.” Sectionalism, on the other hand, produced more positive advances for the north while the south received little attention. Incorporating events such as the panic of 1819, slavery disputes, and poor taxation made this a negative outcome.…

    • 783 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    War of 1812 DBQ

    • 857 Words
    • 3 Pages

    The War of 1812 was a war that lasted for two years that helped the United States to firmly and officially establish its independence. After finishing with the concern of France, England turned its attention over to the United States. At first, the United States did not want to resort to war and fighting (Doc. B) but rather sort out their issues economically--because England had seized all ships that did not stop in the British port before heading to their other European destinations, Congress passed the Embargo Act and then the Non-Intercourse Act, allowing trade with all nations except France and England. Then, England refused to allow this trade to occur, so America had to resort to war. The Northeastern Federalists were not in favor of war, but the Republicans ultimately won the majority vote in Congress to declare war--the War of 1812 (Doc. G). During this war, America was very concerned with gaining control over land in this country as well as in Canada, but at the same time Americans needed to defend themselves against their strong British enemies. Either way, America had to abandon its position of neutrality (Doc. C).…

    • 857 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In my opinion, I believe the U.S. lost the War of 1812. By the end of the War nothing was gained by the U.S., they did not achieve any of their goals, they were unable to take control of Canada, achive any military objectives, and change the British Policy. Heading into the war, the U.S. were the underdogs facing an already entablished country, England, that clearly had an advantage outnumbering the U.S.. During the war, the U.S. lost brave soliders due to battle, had their Nations Capital burnt down, and walked out of the War empty handed. The U.S. were just not ready to go head to head with a powerhouse country and expect to come out on top.…

    • 202 Words
    • 1 Page
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Good Essays

    Politically, the War of 1812, also known as “Mr. Madison’s war” with Britain, stirred the most controversy in Federalist and Republicans. Madison supported the war because of the seemingly auspicious terms he can get out of the war. War of 1812 promised several things: more land for settlement, completely elimination of Britain’s presences in America and Canada, and most…

    • 759 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    War of 1812

    • 468 Words
    • 2 Pages

    Are you sitting comfortably? The constantly changing fashionable take on war of 1812 demonstrates the depth of the subject. Though war of 1812 is a favourite topic of discussion amongst monarchs, presidents and dictators, war of 1812 is not given the credit if deserves for inspiring many of the worlds famous painters. Crossing many cultural barriers it still draws remarks such as 'I wouldn't touch it with a barge pole' and 'i'd rather eat wasps' from the easily lead, trapped by their infamous history. Though I would rather be in bed I will now examine the primary causes of war of 1812.…

    • 468 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Good Essays