Final answer:
Social factors that led to the War of 1812 include British impressment of American sailors, British support for Native American resistance to U.S. expansionism, economic hardships due to trade restrictions, and political tensions between Federalists and Democratic-Republicans.
Step-by-step explanation:
Social Factors Leading to the War of 1812
Several social factors contributed to the onset of the War of 1812. The practice of impressment by the British Navy infringed on American sovereignty by forcibly enlisting American sailors to serve on British ships. Resentment towards such practices fueled anti-British sentiment among the American populace. Additionally, the support by the British of Native American resistance against U.S. expansionism in the Great Lakes further aggravated the Americans, as it threatened the Western frontier communities and hindered the nation's expansion and economic growth.
The economic policies leading up to the war, including the Embargo Act of 1807 and subsequent policies, created widespread economic hardships that particularly affected the maritime commerce of New England. These policies led to significant resentment within influential social and political groups, contributing to the war effort against the British.
The deep ideological divide between the Federalists, who were primarily pro-British and commerce-oriented, and the ruling Democratic-Republican Party also influenced the march to war. The Federalists' opposition to the war and the later discussions at the Hartford Convention about secession further highlighted the social and political tensions of the time.