Overview
The War of 1812 was the first war fought between the United States of America and the British Empire since America's Revolutionary War. The war had been forthcoming for some time as Britain had been providing support to Native American tribes within the United States to assist in their attempts to attack US soldiers. However, when Britain began practicing impressment, the act of forcing another to join the army against their will, on American merchant sailors, America could no longer ignore the situation. Britain had been seizing American citizens to assist with the war against France, claiming that the Americans were rightfully citizens of the British Empire, and thus subject to the draft.
Britain mainly fought against the United States on the waters of the Atlantic Ocean and the Great Lakes. Canada, as a British colony, was the staging point for a large-scale land invasion that marched down through New York and did quite some damage before their defeat at the Battle of Plattsburgh. A separate invasion force burned Washington to the ground, but failed to capture Baltimore and was defeated. There was supposed to be third force moving Northward from New Orleans, however it is unknown what happened to those sailing through. Some historians have speculated that a hurricane or other foul weather was the cause of this missing force.
The war ended with a victory for America. Britain could not maintain its military might in its own homeland while attempting to fight a large-scale war overseas. Peace was reached, and so ended the last war between the United States of America and the British Empire. These two countries have met several times since on the battlefield as allies.
Foreign Policy
Through the war of 1812 Americans believed that neutrality in European affairs was justified. Also new national confidence leads to the Monroe doctrine 1823 which become the foundation of U.S foreign policy and westward expansion.
