War of 1812

[John McGillivray]

Originally Posted by motto

As I understand it the War of 1812 came about as a result of the Napoleonic War in Europe and involved the US essentially because of British interference with American shipping. As a result of a desperate shortage of manpower for the Royal Navy which was virtually fighting a global war British men o' war were stopping American vessels not only on the high seas but in American waters and seizing any British born seamen on board even if they were US citizens. They went so far as to stop an American naval vessel and take crewmen from it as it left its home port.

David

Americans often give this as the reason for starting the War. However they are ignoring the fact that the Royal Navy was going after deserters from the Royal Navy who were serving on American ships, and the fact that the British had stopped the practice long before the Americans declared the war.
Currently there are deserters from the American Military who have come to Canada and tried to claim refugee status. So far Canada has refused all such claims and has deported the deserters back to the US.