CARD 34 - War of 1812

Lack of communications played an important part in the war. The US declared war on Britain 2 days after the British government had declared it would repeal the laws that were the cause of the conflict. The Battle of New Orleans, the greatest battle of the war, was fought 15 days after the peace treaty was signed.

"War Hawks" dominated Congress during this period. Most of the War Hawks, such as John C. Calhoun and Henry Clay, came form the southern and western states and were generally in favor of war and US expansion. States in the northeast were generally against the war for fear of further crippling an already damaged shipping industry.