Factors to consider other than "moral justification:"

We were established on this huge continent; Britain wasn't. They already knew they could not subdue such a huge land mass from the 1770s-80s.

Britain was at war with France; we were not. That was an enormous force multiplier for us.

The White House was burned - so what? It was just another house fire.

Britain came out of the war with multiple humiliations at sea (and on Lake Erie).

The lasting impression of the war was the defeat of British troops at New Orleans....another black eye for British arms at the hands of backwoods provincials.

So who got the most benefit from the war? I would argue the US did, even though it was in the form of hemispheric reputation. By 1820, the major European powers were all gone from the Hemisphere, and the US never fought another war against Britain. The two countries grew slowly together as states whose strategic and economic interests coincided.

It has come to my attention in the past months at sea that Britain has turned to seizing men in fleets much like my own, to forcibly enlist them in the Royal Navy so that they can serve the British Crown. Not only have these sea-weary rumors of abduction scared my men, but we have learned that we are no longer allowed to trade with France under a series of Orders in Council. In order for our booming American economy to continue to grow- and indeed be our own venture- we must stand ground against the British and tell them “no” to their violations of international law (1), and declare war so that our opportunities for trade are not hindered (2), so that Britain will learn their lesson and not insult the freedoms we have proved to be rightful as our own in the war for independence we won less than thirty years ago (3).

I am a southerner who believes that 1.) The war of 1812, if successful, would be beneficial because it would completely drive out the British from our country limiting their interactions with the Indian tribes. 2.) The Canadian trade would be cut off from the British and their colonies could possibly be absorbed into the United States due to lack of options. 3.) Also i believe that it will strengthen our military making us a a country with a strong military power.

As a wealthy merchant from New England most of my friends want to support England but as a merchant I am getting tired and angry at the British navy for capturing my men and merchant ships. Even though we are declared neutral i am getting fed up with all of my goods and products being taken by England. So if going to war will make England respect my rights to trade i will fight the British to regain my wealth!

For decades the Native Americans have suffered under the Americans. 1. Battle by battle they steal our land and flow into our land as their exploding population looks for more farm land. 2. They crush any force we try to make to stand up for our land and traditions with their strong military. Our only way to stand up for our very existence on this land is to join forces with another enemy of the Americans, the British. While American's debate over whether to stand up for their rights by fighting Britain we are confronted with a clear decision that for our very existence we must go to war against the Americans for the British are our only protection from the invading Americans. Thus war is the only possibility to prevent more tragedies and indecencies against our people. To war we must go.

As a plantation owner in the State of South Carolina for nearly 20 years, I have witnessed the positive and the negative aspects of what our country has endured. After the United States declared independence from Britain and after the American Revolution had ended, British soldiers and men are still preventing us Southerners and all U.S. citizens from living a "free" life. If we don't declare war on Britain soon, our hard-fought country will kill itself through lack of trade and a severe economic depression.

I believe that the United States should declare war on Britain as soon as possible. Jefferson's attempt to try and lure France and Britain into a compromise regarding the Orders of Council, ultimately failed with enactment of the Embargo Act in 1807. 1) Restricting trade with the whole world and then with only France and Britain after the Non-Intercourse Act was passed in 1809, was harming the American economy more than it was helping. I currently have mounds of extra cotton and tobacco that is being wasted because there is no one to trade with, which is causing me to lose money. In addition, the land that my neighbors and I farm on is not adequate for farming anymore due to excessive planting in one area. 2) Because Britain has an alliance with Indian tribes, it is very difficult to move westward and conquer their forces. Defeating Britain in the anticipated war would mean easier access to the land that we so desperately need.

As the President of The United States I feel like it is my duty to declare us at war against Britain. The British are having their allied Native Americans attack our people near Canada. Overseas, the British are impressing our sailors and forcing them to fight against their own will. The British are enforcing rules that restrict our trade with the French and now the French are enforcing laws that restrict our trade with Britain. I feel like it is in our best interest for our people's safety to put a stop to these absurd actions.

Being a Kentucky native, I Henry Clay have been exposed to the abhorrent effects of NOT being involved in the war. That is why I have formally decided to through my full support for the great country of America to give up our rudimentary attempt at peace and become involved in a fight for what we regard as American morals. Living in the West has further solidified my decision, for 1). the repugnant natives in this area are continually attacking us, as an alliance of the British, I might add. Their attacks in the western states of Kentucky and Tennessee and the territory of Indiana have greatly angered my fellow companions, for we as a country are just sitting it back and letting it happen.

To go along with my earlier point, 2).as the national debt continues to wear on our backs, these attacks just heighten our expenses. Because of these ceaseless encroachments by the natives that began with the British, we will tally upwards of ten million dollars yearly. Is this a price we want to pay for peace?

We are a new country, why should we not be able to utilize our newly found freedom? 3).By taking away trade with their disgraceful Orders in Council, the British are attempting to denounce our independence yet again. We cannot be deprived of our liberties just because Britain instructs us to. We fought for freedom once and we shall do so again, otherwise America will always remain the battered country that we just evolved out of. We can not again lose our independence without a properly showing Britain and France what our country has been able to achieve.

America is one that has dedicated and prided itself in neutrality. We have been unjustly punished/victimized with uncalled actions from the British including rules such as (1) the orders in council and actions such as (2) impressment of so many so many of our sailors. These actions have not only interfered with our daily lives as Americans, resulting in unnecessary trips to Britain costing us more money and time and tearing apart families with the random disappearance of family members, but actions that have also made our goal to keep our current neutrality with foreign countries very difficult. It is right and just that we fight to preserve the order we have worked to hard to obtain. It is time the we stand up for ourselves as a country, take back our rights in anyway possible and then restore our former foreign status to neutrality among other foreign nations.

The British have continued to cause us trouble, even after they recognized us an independent nation. 1. They have been stealing our ships and impressing our people, forcing them to fight for their own tyrannic purposes. 2. As a Southerner who lives off of trade and commerce, I am finding this outright action against our right to trade with other nations to be unfair. 3. The British have overstepped bounds when arming the Native Indians and they must pay for this injustice. These wrongs must be righted.

As a simple southern farmer, I find it morally depressing that after winning the war for independence, there is still a British presence. A war is necessary for this country's well being. I the war is won, 1). The British will be removed along with their aid towards Indian affairs. 2). Adding Canada would enhance this nation politically, but allow for more trade. 3). It shall also an end to the impressment of American citizens and relieve the restrictions on trade, which has crippled the economy. Therefore war with Britain is the only means to get what we need to continue to strive as a country.

As President of the United States, I believe it is our duty to go to war with England for the following reasons: (1) British ships are in the habit of invading and violating the rights and peace of our coasts, (2) the British are in the process of arming hostile Indians and enlisting them to fight against our troops, and (3) the United States is prepared for war with the outstanding energy of the war hawks.

My name is James Madison and I believe that we should go to war against Britain. 1. The British have been raiding our ships and capturing our men out at sea. 2. Their ships hover around our ports and just harass the ships that we have entering and leaving the ports. 3. Britain is selling weapons to the savages in the west so they will attack us and try to gain our scalps.

I am a southern farmer on the frontier trying to make a living and to feed and clothe my family and I think that we the United States of America should start a war with England for 3 reasons 1) The British are arming the Indians on the frontier and are influencing them causing the Indians to attack my family and others throughout the frontier. 2) The English have issued the Orders in Council which is restricting our trade and is hurting our economy that is making it harder to afford the things that me and my family need to survive and if we fight a war with the British and defeat them then they will have to end the Orders in Council which will improve our economy and make it easier for me to support my family. 3) The English have violated our neutrality policy and if we let that stand then they will continue to violate our country’s will and if we let the British treat us in anyway they want then what was the point of fighting for our freedom in the first place, and then all of the lives that were lost and all of the sacrifices that were made in the hopes of obtaining this freedom were in vain.

As a southern plantation owner, I think it is essential for America to go to war. We fought hard in the revolution to gain our own independence from Britain and it is now being compromised. 1) Britain is giving the Indians of this country weaponry to fight against us. With these resources, we are unable to move westward and expand our country. The Indians are being influenced to attack people in their own country. 2) As a farmer, I need to be able to export my crops to sell them and support my growing family. With the restricted trade to France and Britain, I have an abundance of crops to ship out, but they are going to waste by not exporting. We need to open all trade routes to boost this country's economy.

My name is Evan Veres captain of the Black Pearl. Times are hard for people in my line of work due to the difficulties of the plague we call Britain. My sailors and I are ever wary of the threats Britain poses to our ship. Stories have been spreading about the dangers of trading in Europe and even on the coast here in America. As a man who survives off trade, these hostilities Britain has committed against us must be put to an end! To add to these problems, trade to France has also been cut off limiting trade even more. We must send a message by declaring war on Britain 1) to stop the blockade of trade and restart trade with all countries, 2) to prevent Britain from committing future hostilities against the United States, 3) and to stop the conversion on U.S. sailors into British soldiers.

It has come to my attention in the past months at sea that Britain has turned to seizing men in fleets much like my own, to forcibly enlist them in the Royal Navy so that they can serve the British Crown. Not only have these sea-weary rumors of abduction scared my men, but we have learned that we are no longer allowed to trade with France under a series of Orders in Council. In order for our booming American economy to continue to grow- and indeed be our own venture- we must stand ground against the British and tell them “no” to their violations of international law (1), and declare war so that our opportunities for trade are not hindered (2), so that Britain will learn their lesson and not insult the freedoms we have proved to be rightful as our own in the war for independence we won less than thirty years ago (3).

Closing: Britain cannot take away what we as the American people have rightfully earned- the freedom to govern ourselves, the freedom to pursue our own economic pursuits, and most importantly- our freedom to have the unending spirit that has upheld the roots of this nation for the past 200 years. Since these freedoms are being sacrificed, we must declare war on the British Crown to put an end to (for once and for all) their involvement in our American ventures.

Closing: There are countless reasons why America has no other choice than to fight the war against Britain. The economy of the United States is suffering and we desperately need free access to the sea, open international trade, and access to Canada and land in the West. If the U.S. waits to act any longer, Britain will soon have too much power and trading control over America, and our independence will be lost. Thus, it is in the best interest of our country to pursue the awaited battle with Britain.

Closing statement:

We will always be subservient to others if we don’t stand up for ourselves and rise above our individual desires of wealth and strong economics. As a group we must fight for our way of life so others can’t suppress our development as a people and society. There always exists a short term reason to not fight, whether that be money, trade, security, or wealth, we must rise above these selfish and short term reasons and protect our dignity as a people and fight for the preservation of our way of life.

In conclusion, I am in full support of war with Britain. Something must be done to take away British existence in the states. Situations with the natives must be sorted through and an understanding with the British is necessary to our future growth and expansion as a country. There is an obvious choice being presented to engage in war.

Closing Statement: Despite all of my fellow Americans' arguments about the war, I sincerely believe that involvement is the best choice. There is no way we would be able to achieve the things that our country has been striving for without becoming a major player in the War of 1812. In the end, not participating would leave us in greater debt than we are already in, and also would involve conflict either way. This would also make us seem like one of those nervous countries that doesn't have the innards to stand up for what we were created for. In response to this, I have formally decided to endorse fully in the War, and I suggest as many of you to do so as well.

Closing statement

I believe that the wisest course of action for the U.S. would be to go to war with England because they are violating the terms of the treaty of Paris by keeping forts on U.S. soil and they are further endangering the lives of Americans by arming the Indians and convincing them to attack American settlements. They are also restricting trade going into Europe and thus are hurting our economy and they are taking our sailors and using impressment to force them to join the British navy which is highly immoral, illegal, and highly dangerous to our sailors.

In conclusion, I do believe that going to war is completely necessary. We have created a strong enough federal government that has provided us with a better trained military, staying in/defeating the British in this war could actually help our stand point, that a strong federal government is necessary and much more effective and successful. It's not like we are doing these actions for no reason either, this is the perfect time because we are also gaining respect and winning back our freedoms yet again from Britain. To stand by and try to hide from the real situation is ridiculous and cowardly, we are able to stand up for what we see fit. It is time we practice this effectively and make our mark as a nation we are one that ought not to reckon with. If we do do that, we will obtain neutrality easily keeping both foreign fights away from us and upholding out no long term alliance treaties.

In summary, the British have been stealing our ships, impressing our citizens, arming the enemy Indians, and cutting off our trade. These problems need to be fixed and if we go to war, then we could receive multiple benefits including a British-free North America and no more suppliers of weapons to dangerous Native Americans. Our trade may be damaged, but there are many other nations for us to exchange goods with. War may have consequences, but in some cases it is worth it.

Closing: Britain is starting to compromise the independence we fought hard to win. They're restricting our trade, impressing our citizens, and convincing our Natives to fight against us. Do you really think that if we just let it happen, they would stop? Absolutely not. They wouldn't stop until they got control of us again. I think it's time to retaliate against them and stand up for ourselves.