What was the main cause of the War of 1812?

The War of 1812 was primarily driven by maritime disputes and the impressment of American sailors. During this period, Britain was engaged in ongoing conflicts with France, which led to a series of actions that negatively impacted American shipping interests. The British Royal Navy would often seize American merchant ships and forcibly recruit American sailors into their navy, a practice known as impressment. This affront to American sovereignty and rights was a major grievance and was seen as an attack on national pride, thus sparking calls for war.

Additionally, other factors contributed to the tensions, including trade restrictions imposed by Britain that hampered American commerce. While the desire for territorial expansion and independence were present, they were not the primary triggers of this conflict. Instead, the culmination of naval confrontations and how they affected American sailors and trade ultimately set the stage for the war, making maritime disputes and impressment the central causes of the War of 1812.