What was the primary cause of the War of 1812?

The primary cause of the War of 1812 was indeed trade restrictions and the impressment of sailors. During this period, the United States faced significant challenges due to ongoing conflicts between Britain and France. The British implemented trade restrictions that severely limited American merchants' ability to engage in international trade, primarily through blockades. These trade restrictions harmed the American economy and angered many American citizens.

Additionally, the British naval practice of impressment involved forcibly recruiting American sailors into the British Navy. This action was a major source of frustration for Americans, as it violated their rights and sovereignty. The combination of these trade restrictions and the impressment of American sailors created a climate of tension that ultimately led the United States to declare war against Britain in 1812.

Understanding this context is vital, as it highlights how international relations and economic factors played a significant role in the United States' decision to engage in conflict, rather than other issues such as territorial expansion, taxation, or slavery, which were not the primary drivers at that time.