War of 1812

The War of 1812, fought between the United States and Great Britain from 1812 to 1815, arose from a complex web of issues, including maritime trade disputes, impressment of American sailors into the British navy, and British support for Native American resistance against American expansion. The conflict unfolded against the backdrop of the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, and both sides faced significant challenges in prosecuting the war. The conflict saw notable events such as the burning of Washington, D.C., in 1814, and the Battle of New Orleans in 1815. The Treaty of Ghent, signed in December 1814, ultimately ended the war, restoring pre-war borders and failing to address some of the underlying grievances. Despite the lack of clear-cut victories, the War of 1812 had lasting implications for American national identity and marked a turning point in U.S.-British relations.