-
Impressment
British ships often practiced impressment, which forced captured American sailors to serve in the Royal Navy. This was one of the main causes of the War of 1812. -
Orders in Council
Britain passed a series of restrictions on neutral countries, which kept them from trading with enemies of Britain. This affected the United States' trade with France. -
Monroe - Pinckney Treaty
This treaty was designed to prevent the British from practicing impressment and reduce restrictions on trade with neutral countries. Its failure was another leading cause of the war. -
Chesapeake - Leopard Affair
An American ship, the USS Chesapeake, was attacked by surprise and searched by a British ship, the HMS Leopard. This act caused outrage throughout the U.S.. -
Embargo Act
This embargo prevented any exports from leaving the United States. It was passed by Thomas Jefferson and the nation's economy suffered, as did its relations with England and France. -
England and the Native Americans
Many tribes of Native Americans were being supplied with weapons by England. This ensured that in the event of a war, the Native Americans would fight on Britain's side -
Tecumseh's Rebellion
Tecumseh, a Shawnee Native American leader, rallied tribes together to rebel against cruel treatment from the United States. -
Little Belt Affair
A naval conflict between an American ship, the USS Presideng, and British ship, the HMS Little Belt, was an incident similar to the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair that led to the War of 1812. -
Battle of Tippecanoe
This battle was fought by William Henry Harrison and his troops and Tecumseh's brother, Tenskwatawa, and his band of tribes. Harrison's victory caused more tension between England and the U.S.. -
War Hawks
The U.S. government was pressured to declare war by a group of Democratic-Republicans, mostly from the south, who favored a war against England.
