There were many causes for the War of 1812. The most widespread cause of the war was resentment in Britain after Americans wanted to be independent. British and American colonists had been feuding since the founding of the United States. The War of 1812 was also a response to a series of economic actions taken by the British and French against the United States as part of Napoleon's rise to power, as well as the anger of the American people over British printing practice. Another cause was when the Nonintercourse Act allowed trade with Europe, except France or Great Britain (and their colonies). The American people tried to remain neutral because they needed valuable goods from both the British and the French. In fact, this would not become the case when the British stopped American trading ships, captured American merchants at sea and attempted to get them to enlist in the British navy, and began using Native Americans to prevent Americans from expand, thus forcing people to enlist in the British Navy. ready to fight. However, many (Northern) traders questioned the war. This did not, however, prompt President Madison to ask Congress to declare war on the British in 1812. Several battles were fought following the War of 1812. Although the Americans proved unable to win all of these battles , they finally achieved victory. good fight. There were many major battles that affected the war dramatically for both sides. The Battle of Lake Champlain, the Battle of Lake Erie, the Battle of Fort McHenry, the Battle of Washington DC, the Battle of New Orleans, the Battle of the Thames, the Battle of Baltimore and the Battle of the Niagara River . On the one hand, the Battle of Thames and the Battle of Champlain allowed...... middle of paper ...... from the Seven Years' War to the First and Second World Wars, including the attacks of September 11. in 2001. Our country, even though the people who live there are changing, the message of hope and unity still resonates. Works Cited Francis Scott Key and the Defense of Fort McHenry. Real. Sean Mobley and Scott Mobley. 2011. Youtube. Lineberry, Cate. “The Story Behind the Star-Spangled Banner.” Smithsonian Magazine. Smithsonian Media, March 1, 2007. Web. November 20, 2013. .Roark, James L., Michael P. Johnson, Patricia C. Cohen, Sarah Stage, Alan Lawson, and Susan M. Hartmann. “The War of 1812.” The American Promise: A History of the United States. Boston: Bedford/St. Martin's, 2009. Print. Ruehl, Kim. "Star-Spangled Banner" About.com Folk Music. Internet. November 20. 2013. .