If the United States ever entered into a war that could have been prevented, it was the War of 1812. While the lure of land in Florida and Canada was the driving force behind the war hawks, the excuse put forth was “impressment and the rights of a neutral nation to free trade.” These slogans were a result of England and France being locked in a death struggle.

Each country had blockaded the other, and the British Navy was “impressing” Americans to serve on its ships.