Changes

==Reasons for War==

==Reasons for War==

===Trade interference===

===Trade interference===

At the time, Europe was embrioled in the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. The [[France|French]] [[Napoleon Bonaparte|Emperor]] was rapidly expanding his territories, and an alliance, including Britian, was set against him. The United States, as urged by [[George Washington]] in his Farewell Address, had declared neutrality. Both England and France, however, sought to sabotage and/or restrict American efforts to trade with their enemy. Because Britain had a superior navy, the British attempts were more successful, and compounded the grievence of impressment. Because of this, the French incursions were largely disregarded by the American public.

At the time, [[Europe]] was embrioled in the [[Napoleonic Wars]]. The [[France|French]] [[Napoleon Bonaparte|Emperor]] was rapidly expanding his territories, and an alliance, including Britian, was set against him. The United States, as urged by [[George Washington]] in his Farewell Address, had declared neutrality. Both England and France, however, sought to sabotage and/or restrict American efforts to trade with their enemy. Because Britain had a superior navy, the British attempts were more successful, and compounded the grievence of impressment. Because of this, the French incursions were largely disregarded by the American public.

====Impressment====

====Impressment====

The British Royal Navy suffered from low enlistment rates, and to 'recruit' new sailors, British vessels frequently boarded American merchant ships, under pretences of reclaiming deserters. Most notable of such encounters was the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair of 1807. The HMS Leopard fired upon and boarded the USS Chesapeake in American coastal waters, killing three and impressing four. Three of the 'deserters' were actually American citizens.

The British Royal Navy suffered from low enlistment rates, and to 'recruit' new sailors, British vessels frequently boarded American merchant ships, under pretences of reclaiming deserters. Most notable of such encounters was the Chesapeake-Leopard Affair of 1807. The HMS Leopard fired upon and boarded the USS Chesapeake in American coastal waters, killing three and impressing four. Three of the 'deserters' were actually American citizens.

====Non-Intercourse Act====

====Non-Intercourse Act====

The Non-Intercourse Act was slightly more effective than the Embargo Act, but still did not achieve much. This act prohibited trade solely with beligerent nations, in an effort to continue trade but remain neutral. [[James Madison]], the new President, also ensured that if one country recognized the free trade rights of the United States, the US would cease trade with its enemy and resume trade with that country. Napoleon quickly promised to stop interference with American shipping, and the embargo resumed on British goods. Napoleon, who had no intention of following through on his promise, only wished to add to the American-British tension, and he succeeded.  

The Non-Intercourse Act was slightly more effective than the Embargo Act, but still did not achieve much. This act prohibited trade solely with beligerent nations, in an effort to continue trade but remain neutral. [[James Madison]], the new President, also ensured that if one country recognized the free trade rights of the United States, the US would cease trade with its enemy and resume trade with that country. Napoleon quickly promised to stop interference with American shipping, and the embargo resumed on British goods. Napoleon, who had no intention of following through on his promise, only wished to add to the American-British tension, and he succeeded.

 

===Expansionism===

===Expansionism===

Also at issue was American expansionism. After the [[American War of Independence]], the British continued to occupy several forts along the US-Canadian border, several of which were actually on American soil. In the [[Treaty of Paris]], which ended the Revolutionary War in 1783, the British had agreed to give up control of these stations. Rather than fufil their agreement, however, the British had held the posts and even supplied local [[Native American]] tribes with weapons, and encouraging them to raid American settlements to prevent expansion.<ref>Stagg (1983)</ref>

Also at issue was American expansionism. After the [[American War of Independence]], the British continued to occupy several forts along the US-Canadian border, several of which were actually on American soil. In the [[Treaty of Paris]], which ended the Revolutionary War in 1783, the British had agreed to give up control of these stations. Rather than fufil their agreement, however, the British had held the posts and even supplied local [[Native American]] tribes with weapons, and encouraging them to raid American settlements to prevent expansion.<ref>Stagg (1983)</ref>