9781422286012

The War of 1812

8

Commercial ties between the two countries had remained strong even after the United States won its independence in the American Revolution. English businesses exported manufactured goods to the former colonies and imported American agricultural products and raw materials. In fact, English merchants sold more goods to the newly independent United States than they had ever sold to the thirteen American colonies. However, America’s relationship with Great Britain had grown increas- ingly strained during the 1790s. Britain had been at war with France since 1793, threatened first by the example of the French Revolution and later by Napoleon Bonaparte’s imperial ambitions. Both Britain and France took actions against the rights of neutral nations . U.S. leaders viewed these actions as attacks on its national honor and its economic stability. Most problematic, from an American point of view, was that new British laws, known as Orders in Council, seemed to be an attempt to push the United States back into the dependence of the colonial period, when America’s foreign trade was under British control. belligerent —a country fighting a war. blockade —the use of a group of ships to prevent other ships from enter- ing or leaving a port. contraband— goods that are imported or exported illegally. In time of war, anything that can aid an enemy’s army is considered contra- band. dispatch— a message sent from one official to another, often sent by a special method or with great speed. duty— a tax charged on imports or exports. economic sanctions— an attempt to force another nation to do some- thing by putting pressure on its economy. impressment— forced enlistment in the British Royal Navy. maritime— relating to shipping or navigation. monopoly— exclusive control. neutral nation— a country that does not support either side in a war. WORDS TO UNDERSTAND IN THIS CHAPTER