Why do you think most of the war hawks were from the south and west instead of the north?

Question

Irvin Pittman

History

11 July, 09:24

Why do you think most of the war hawks were from the south and west instead of the north?

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Frank Sampson · Answer 1

More upset by British blockades of their goods than Northerners.

The term War Hawks refers to those in support of war against the British in 1812. The War of 1812 was opposed by those in the North and supported by Southern and Westerners.

Northerners traded with Great Britain almost exclusively and were bothered by the blockades by Britain but would have been more frustrated to have their trade ended due to war. The South and West traded with many countries, France being one of their main trading partners. It is their trade ships that are being blocked from French ports and therefore they were more motivated to go to war than the Northerners. The Northerners would be so opposed to the war that a group of Federalists actually discussed secession from the Union in the Hartford Convention.