The War of 1812

Question 1

Who was the War of 1812 between?

Answer 1

The United States and Britain. The U.S. invaded Canada, what was then known as British North America.

Question 2

What were some of the causes of the War of 1812?

Answer 2

• Farmland was expensive in the United States and there was plenty of inexpensive, good farmland in Upper Canada (Ontario)
• The United States was upset because a 20-year war between Britain and France meant Britain was blockading European ports and the Americans couldn’t sell their goods to Europe.
• Americans saw British North Americans as allies with the Native peoples, who were resisting the westward movement of American colonists.
• A number of deserters of the British navy were working aboard American ships, where the pay was higher. The British began stopping American merchant ships at sea and putting people suspected of being deserters back in the British navy. A number of innocent Americans who were not deserters were taken in this way.

Question 3

What were the long-term impacts of the War of 1812

Answer 3

• American immigrants were discouraged from coming to British North America
• The war stabilized the border between the United States and British North America at the 49th parallel.
• Britain began to respect the United States as a separate nation.
• A small feeling of unity began to develop in the Canadas, as the English and French had fought side by side against their common enemy, the Americans
• The Maritime colonies became more prosperous as a result of the war.