Perhaps I'm being idealistic about the motivations of our early political leaders but I do think that the primary reason behind the war of 1812 were patriotism and honor. The way Madison justified the war, in his war message 1 June 1812, was by highlighting the British aggression on the seas; primarily impressments, British cruisers hovering near ports, blockades and the orders-in-council. The Americans also believed the Brits guilty of inciting Indian uprisings. The United States attempted to …showed first 75 words of 912 total…

…showed last 75 words of 912 total…be for the greater good. What compelled the War of 1812? For some it was impressments, others the desire for territory, and so on. The cause of the War of 1812 was probably the convergence of all the problems at the right and place, with the right group of leaders. Or it could have been the convergence of all the problems at the same time and place with the wrong leaders to steer them away from war.