What was the primary cause of the War of 1812?

The primary cause of the War of 1812 was the impressment of U.S. sailors by the British Navy. During this period, Britain was engaged in a conflict with France, and they required more sailors for their naval forces. As a result, British ships forcibly boarded American vessels and took crew members who they believed were either British subjects or eligible for military service, regardless of their citizenship. This practice created significant tension between the United States and Britain, as it was seen as a violation of American sovereignty and rights.

The frustration over impressment was compounded by broader issues such as trade restrictions imposed by Britain and the British support of Native American attacks against American frontier settlements. These combined factors further fueled American resentment towards British interference in its maritime trade and national sovereignty, ultimately leading to the declaration of war in 1812. The central grievance of impressment exemplified a direct assault on national autonomy, which Americans found intolerable and thus considered it a primary reason for entering the conflict.