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The United States entered the War of 1812, which in many respects was a theater of the broader Napoleonic Wars.
Napoleon began his Continental System, intended to force other European countries to join his embargo of Britain.
Although he was initially successful in starving out Britain, Portugal refused to capitulate, leading to the Peninsular War throughout Spain.
This loosened Spain's grip on its South American colonies.
Great Britain became the only major power in the Atlantic, and as it increased naval pressure against Napoleon, it inadvertently did the same against American ships.
British tactics quickly caused widespread American anger.
Britain used its navy to prevent American ships from trading with France.
The United States, which was a neutral nation, considered this act to be against international law.
Britain also armed Indian tribes in the Northwest Territory and encouraged them to attack settlers, even though Britain had ceded this territory to the United States by treaties in 1783 and 1794.
The Royal Navy boarded American ships on the high seas and impressed its seamen, as it needed more sailors than it could recruit.
The United States looked upon this as no less an affront to American sovereignty than if the British had invaded American soil.
Americans called for a " second war of independence " to restore honor and stature to the new nation.
An angry public elected a “ war hawk ” Congress, led by Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun.
Madison asked Congress for a declaration of war, which was passed along sectional and party lines, with intense opposition from the Federalists and the Northeast, where the economy had suffered during Jefferson's trade embargo.

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