A Comparison of the Similarities Between the Revolutionary War in 1775 and the War of 1812

The Revolutionary War in 1775 and the War of 1812 are both similar and at the same time different. The Revolutionary war and the War of 1812 are similar in that, they both were fought mainly by the British and the North American colonist. At the same time, the two wars are different because, they were influenced by different factors.

As soon as the colonist got settled in North America, Britain began interfering with economic and political affairs of the colonies. Laws such as, the Quarterly Act were examples of Britain influencing in the political affairs. Laws such as, the Stamp Act were examples of economic interference in the colonies. The colonists were outraged by such events, and started to rebel against their mother country. Soon people began to boycott British goods, which aggravated the situation even more. After the several boycott attempts, such as the Boston Tea Party incident, an event in time known as the Boston Massacre occurred. Though only a few people were killed, it was much exaggerated. Soon enlightened ideas were spread throughout the colonies. Ideas like, natural rights, encouraged people to break off from England. To ensure the majority of the colonial citizens, colonial leaders brought in an English writer named, John Locke, to write a pamphlet to encourage nationalism and to break off from the British.

In 1775, The North American colonist and the English engaged in a massive war in North America to determine who would control the thirteen colonies. Future political leaders such as Washington, Hamilton, Jefferson, and Adams bravely led the Minute Men. Many battles were lost, and many were won. Battles such as the Battle of Saratoga, and Bunker Hill, helped inspire the colonists to keep fighting the British and eventually defeating the British. When the Revolutionary War was over, the colonies were in a high state of nationalism, and were in a huge debt to others. At the same time, the Rev. War had many positive affects. Because of the Revolutionary war, Jefferson drafted the, Declaration of Independence, stating its independence from England. The Revolutionary War was also, the stepping-stone of a new government, and eventual, booming economy that we know today.

As the war between France and England progressed, both parties impressed more and more young American sailors. Both countries also took American ships and the goods it was shipping. These actions taken by the French and the British were hurting states economically, states such as New England were being hit the hardest. President Monroe decided that it was best for the nation to stop exporting goods with all nations in laws such as the Embargo Act of 1807, and the Non- Intercourse Act. In 1807, a British ship near an American Port, attacked an American ship known as the Chesapeake. Soon after, the French agreed to neutral trading, which left Britain mad. Henry Clay and other fellow war hawks urged national unity to fight the British, who were also encouraging Native Americans to stand up against colonial expansion. Finally, America would not be neutral anymore. In 1812, Britain and America, engaged in a war that would also be known as the second war for independence. Under the likes of Calhoun, Jackson, Clay, Perry, and others, American soldiers fought hard and bravely to thwart British takeover. In battles like, the Battle of New Orleans, Battle of Lake Erie, and the Battle of Thames, helped encourage young soldiers to keep fighting.

Finally, in January of 1815, realizing the war wasnt leaning toward any side, both parties agreed to stop fighting in the Treaty of Ghent. When the war was over, many Americans felt the war to be a victorious war even though they did not really win. When the war was finally over, the United States began to expand into the northwest territory. Though the survivors of the war were left battered, bruised, and in debt, they still had a high sense of nationalism, mainly because of the formation of the star-spangled banner, which was written by Francis Scott Key. The end of the war also, became the stepping- stone of the formation of new states, in what used to be the Old Northwest Territory.

The War of 1812, and the American Revolution, were similar, and were different. The War of 1812, and the American Revolution, was both similar in that they both happened at the same place with the same people. The War of 1812, and the American Revolution, were mainly fought by the Brits and the Americans in North America. Both wars were also caused higher national debt, but at the same time, both wars caused higher sense of nationalism. The wars were also very different. They were both different because they happened for different reasons, and led to different outcomes. The American Revolution was started because of British intervention in economic & political affairs. The War of 1812 was started because of British intervention in the prevention in colonial expansion, national pride, impressments of sailors, and supporting France. The result of the American Revolution was that, America would be free from England. The results of the War of 1812, was that, America would now be able to expand its nation into the Old Northwest Territory.

Though the Revolutionary War, and the War of 1812, happened at different times, both wars can be much linked to each other. Both wars occurred with the same countries, and both wars made U.S a greater nation. At the same time, both wars can be shown to be very different. Both wars happened for different reasons, and affected U.S differently.

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