Hawks and Doves of 1812

During the years up to the War of 1812 the British had never respected the independence of the United States de facto. Great Britain disrespected US neutral rights at sea and impressed American seamen and confiscated the goods of her ships at sea. She also encouraged and supported Indian Unrest in the West. This together with the fact that some American gentlemen like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun lobbied aggressively for war in an effort to exploit the opportunity to seize Canada made it hard for the President in International affairs. The Nation was though badly divided and when the President asked the Congress for a declaration of war (June1) the South and the West voted for and New England against. The war was not a great success for the United States military and the White House was bombarded by the Royal Navy. Only the Battle of New Orleans in 1815 was considered a victory. The war ended in a status quo peace, but it could very well have ended differently. Who will you choose Mr. President?