Examine Map 5-2. Why does it illustrate only battles east of the Mississippi River? What does the ...

Ideal Answer: The ideal answer should:
1. Explain that the War of 1812 took place over trade disputes between Great Britain and the U.S., regarding British conflicts with France. Indian policy disputes in the West with Great Britain also fueled tensions.
2. Compare the U.S. and British armies and strategic military plans. The British wanted to extend western forts to embrace Indian alliances, while the U.S. wanted to reduce British military power in the West as well as on the Atlantic Ocean.
3. Describe the geography of North America as having an Atlantic Ocean boundary to the east and an extensive western hinterland with unclear boundaries that created difficulties with the British. The Old Northwest was the American West in 1812.
4. Explain that the war took place primarily off the northeast coast where naval engagements largely determined the outcome.