Question

Why was the war of 1812 so politically divisive and poorly fought by the united states, and how did the course of the war reflect these problems?

Answer 1

The war of 1812 was politically divisive due to the different demographic and political factions who supported or abhorred the idea of conflict. The war was much more favored by Democratic-Republicans in the Southern and Western United States then it was Federalist in both New England and the South. Add to this that there wasn't a national cause or anger to unite people behind the war, and it just wasn't something a large portion of the population wanted to do. Also, because of these divisions America came into the war sorely unprepared to achieve victory with an army that was largely disorganized and unsupported by the militias.