Book Review: What Caused the War of 1812

What Caused the War of 1812 by Sally Senzell Isaacs, Crabtree Publishing Company, St. Catharines, Ontario, 2011.  The title of is book asks a question I have wondered about.  It only gives a partial answer.  It says basically the war was declared by President James Madison because Great Britain did not respect our rights on the sea and would board our ships and press people to be in their navy.  It later talks about more complexity.  However this war was the closest vote in congress ever over a declaration of war.  The vote was along party lines.  Other factors entering in were the desire by some to annex Canada, the disruption of westward expansion because of British interference and the British would arm the Indians.  Also playing a role was the French and British wars which lead to both sides putting a blockade against America.  They final word was that being recognized as a free country with a right to the seas.  It was felt Britain did not respect this right.