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The United States emerged from the American
Revolution still entangled in old world politics.
In particular, America faced all the trade restrictions of the
British Navigation Acts. The result: in 1812, the United States
declared war on Great Britain, and proceeded to invade Canada,
one of Britain's possessions. But the invasion failed.
In
the war that ensued, British troops entered Washington, D.C.
and burned the White House to the ground. The peace treaty of
1814 established the border between the United States and Canada
- the longest mutually disarmed border in the world.
Some
historians have called the War of 1812 "America's most
unpopular war." America - born from a commitment to liberty
and equality - seemed to betray its heritage. The War
of 1812 relied on conscription, a soaring tariff, and war taxes.
Before the war, the national debt had been cut in half to $45
million; now it rose to $127 million. Moreover, the War of 1812
had an ominous impact; a single political party assumed almost
unchallenged power.
Other
historians have observed that America fought Britain - the world's
foremost commercial and military power - to a negotiated settlement.
This, they claim, meant that America had won the war.
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