Why the US went to war in 1812

Essay from the year 2002 in the subject American Studies - Culture and Applied Geography, grade: 2,00, University of Regensburg (Institut für Anglistik und Amerikanistik), course: Hauptseminar US Foreign Policy, language: English, abstract: When Europe exploded in war in 1803, the United States became involved in European affairs once more. In 1806, France, and one year later Britain trampled on neutral rights by forcing other nations to cease trading with their enemy. On top of it, the British boarded American ships to seize sailors who had allegedly deserted from the Royal Navy. There-upon President Thomas Jefferson and from 1809 onwards James Madison initiated restrictive measures themselves, but the rivalries were only to become stronger. 'In the end, unable to sustain peace, the United States chose war - a war, some have suggested, that ranks as the second war for independence.' (128) [...]