You could say it started with the American Revolution. You could say it started in 1414 with Henry the 5th's invasion of France, or maybe even before that with the "Black Prince". But let's just say England and France were enemies from WAY back (from two movies back!), and let's start with America's revolution.
Britain and the American colonies had been fighting for years, neither really winning. France decided it was a good time to give England a kick. Many emissaries from America had pleaded with King Louis XVI of France to help. Benjamin Franklin is one famous example. They finally agreed to help us by sending soldiers to America.
England had hired German soldiers (Hessians) to fight against the Americans, and the Americans "hired" (begged) French soldiers to fight against the English. A balance of power held, and thus no resolution or end to the war.
Finally, at the time of the Battle of Yorktown, the French assistance that had been promised was actually provided. A large British force was captured, and this upset the balance. The war was not over then, but everyone knew it would not be much longer. The Americans soon won the Revolution.
The states had great trouble agreeing on terms of forming the country of America, but they did. America had trouble paying all the money Congress had promised during the war. Some was paid and some was not. England was recovering and striving for control of Scotland. French soldiers went back and told of how America got rid of their king. The French decided that was a good idea and started a revolution of their own against King Louis 16. The world was in turmoil.
Revolutionary France, led by self-appointed citizens, went to war with England. The French government was changing from month to month. Therefore, it was difficult for other countries to deal with France. The old question "Who's in charge?" had to always be asked.
France did not like America trading with Britain. Britain did not like America trading with France. America needed to trade so that it could grow and pay off its debts. America found itself in trouble with both Britain and France. Americans were divided on who to side with. Some felt we owed the French our country's freedom. Some felt that France was gone and the new France was worse than Britain.
French warships began stopping US shipping and thus began a "Quasi-war" with France. It did not last long for the French government was itself in turmoil and could not firmly decide about the issue. Britain also began stopping US shipping. But they went a step further by taking the sailors along with the goods.
France's goverment finally stablized when an artillery officer named Napoleon Bonapart rose thru the ranks into government and then became Emperor of all France.Thomas Jefferson and Napoleon were contemporaries who came to power about the same time. Jefferson bought the huge middle section of North America from Napoleon, who needed the cash for his European wars. Napoleon may have felt if he ever wanted land in North America he could take it as he had in Europe.
But problems with Britain continued. Many felt it was because Britain had only lost the American Colonies in the Revolutionary War about 20 years ago and thus had an "attitude" toward the US to not show them the respect a soverign nation deserves.
Years went by and still men were being kidnapped (called "impressment") from US ships. America passed trade laws to hurt Britain, but most American businessmen felt the laws harmed America more. Thomas Jefferson's term as president ended and James Madison was elected. Calls for proper action continued and increased. Finally, after all else had failed, Madison declared war in June of 1812.
England blew off war with America as a joke. Both countries knew America did not have the resources to wage a war. One reason being that former president Jefferson had decided against building a few large ships and began a non-agressive "flotilla" program that called for the building of many small boats that could make strategic use of all the creeks and small rivers along the US coast. This program was even made light of in the US and many of the boats were never built.
In the Spring of 1814, French Emperor Napoleon was defeated by the Allies in Europe. Britain, France's main enemy, had to devote most of their resources to this fight. Now they were free to turn much more military effort against America.
England's war with America was of secondary (if that much) importance to the Napoleon issue. It was Britain's war with Napoleon that caused the War of 1812; Britain needed more sailors to fight Napoleon, and kidnapped sailors on US ships to fill their navy. They focused on American sailors for several reasons; they spoke English, they may have been British run-aways, and most were good sailors.
Frigates were the main ship in navies of the time. America had 12. Britain had about 400. But soon the British were changing their minds about the war being a joke. Ship-to-ship battles seemed to always end in an American victory. Another maritime factor entered into the issue; privateers and ships hired under Letters of Marque. These were ways of allowing non-military ships to engage in battle with enemy ships, and America had hundreds of privateers. Usually, privateers attacked British commercial ships, rather than military ships. The goods were taken and the British military would suffer the loss of supplies. It became a very serious matter. Britain should have relented, but they didn't.
Then came the defeat of Napoleon and Britain was enthused about having another victory in "the American War".
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