The Spark that Ignited War: How Impressment Led to the War of 1812
The War of 1812 is often remembered as a titanic struggle between the great powers of the world – the United States and Britain. However, the cause of this conflict is oftentimes overlooked or mis understood. One of the chief grievances that led to this war was impressment. In this article, we will explore how impressment, a seemingly minor practice, became a major headache for the United States government and ultimately led to war.
What was Impression?
Impression was a practice that started during the American Revolution when the British Navy impressed – or forcibly recruited – thousands of American sailors into service. This was done using a combination of British propaganda, intimidation, and direct coercion. The British contended that these sailors had deserted their ships and escaped to America, and, therefore, were subject to British law.
How Did Impression Become a Problem?
By the time of the War of 1812, impressment had become a significant annoyance for the United States government. Here are some ways in which impressment strained relations between the two countries:
• Disappearing Sailors: thousands of American sailors were lost to the British Navy without a trace. Families in the United States were plagued by the uncertainty of where their loved ones were – or if they were alive at all.
• Economic Consequences: The loss of skilled and experienced sailors had a detrimental impact on the American mercantile fleet. Goods were delayed, trade patterns were disrupted, and economies suffered as a result of the British Navy’s oppressive tactics.
• Strained Relations: The incessant practice of impressment created an atmosphere of tensions between the two nations. Diplomatic relations became frosty, and communication nearly broke down.
Confronting the British Threat
The United States was not a match for Britain’s powerful navy, making it difficult for the fledgling nation to forcefully resist impressment. A series of diplomatic efforts led by James Madison, supported by a growing number of American politicians, ultimately paved the way for war:
• The Embargo Act of 1807: The United States’ attempt to punish Britain economically by restricting trade was ill-conceived and largely unenforceable. France, meanwhile, was experiencing economic woes and seized opportunities to disrupt American trade at every turn.
• The Non-Intercourse Act of 1810: This legislation removed restrictions on trade with any nation except Britain and France. Unfortunately, this gave Britain a free pass while France continued to cause the United States economic problems. Additionally, this act allowed merchants to bypass British naval intercepts and continue trading undeterred.
Seeds of War
At this point, it had become clear that the previous diplomatic efforts had failed in addressing the impressment and trade issues. Three key events would ignite the fuse that would result in the War of 1812:
• War Hawks’ Rhetoric: A group of patriotic politicians, known as War Hawks, emerged calling for immediate action against Great Britain. They believed an armed conflict would assert national honor and protect American freedoms.
• The Burning of Washington: British frigates, HMS Levant and HMS Guerriere, sailed up the Potomac River during the night of August 24, 1814, and set fire to the White House and portions of the city.
• The Chesapeake & Ohio Canal: In defiance of the British Navy and in response to the non-intercourse act, canal construction began in 1793. The construction team faced constant harassment and attempted sabotage from British sympathizers.
The Declaration of War
On June 18, 1812, President James Madison submitted a declaration of war resolution to Congress. After numerous debates and votes, a majority of both the Senate and the House of Representatives approved the resolution.
