Question

How was the United States drawn into a second war with Great Britain by 1812? What efforts were made by the Jefferson and Madison administrations to avoid conflict while defending American interests?

Answer 1

The United States declared war on Britain in 1812. It did so because Britain refused to stop seizing American ships that traded with France—Britain's enemy in Europe. Sometimes there were also seizures of American sailors. These seizures were known as impressment.Jefferson's solution to the problems with Great Britain and France was to deny both countries American goods. In December 1807, Congress passed the Embargo Act, which stopped exports and prohibited the departure of merchant ships for foreign ports.