What were the reasons for the War of 1812?

The War of 1812 was primarily driven by two significant factors: British impressment of American sailors and the British support of Native American resistance against American expansion.

Impressment involved the British forcibly recruiting American sailors into the Royal Navy, which violated American sovereignty and angered many citizens. This practice was perceived as an infringement on the rights and liberties of American seamen. Additionally, Britain's support for Native American tribes in their resistance to American settlers in the Northwest Territory posed a direct challenge to U.S. territorial ambitions. The British were accused of supplying arms and support to these tribes, which heightened tensions between the U.S. and Britain.

While other options mention factors such as economic troubles, foreign treaties, trade conflicts, and territorial disputes, they lack the specific focus on British actions that directly provoked the war, particularly the impressment issue and British support for Native Americans. These aspects were critical in shaping public opinion and political discourse in the lead-up to the conflict, ultimately leading to the U.S. declaration of war against Britain in 1812. This context helps to clarify why the identified reasons—British impressment and arming of natives—are central to the causes of the war.