Largely overlooked in modern American society, the War of 1812 is often overshadowed by the United States initial struggle for independence and the American Civil War, two existential conflicts that define the countrys development. The War of 1812, however, is an important milestone that set the foundation for expansion in the North American continent, allowing the United States to develop politically, militarily, and economically. While the wars outcomes are more transparent, its causes are a complex assembly of grievances that boiled over to a climax in 1812.British ImpressmentUSS Chesapeake by Frank Muller, c. 1910. Source: Naval History and Heritage CommandOne of the primary catalysts of the War of 1812 was the widespread British impressment of American sailors. The British navy often coerced unsuspecting individuals into service in wartime, and manpower requirements during the Napoleonic Wars led the Royal Navy to forcibly recruit American sailors by claiming that they were deserters. While the US Navy had impressed sailors during the American Revolutionary War, the British Navys impressment of American sailors was a major provocation to the newly independent American people. All in all, approximately 10,000 American mariners were impressed during the Napoleonic Wars.In 1794, the Washington administration dispatched John Jay to negotiate with the British, but the resulting Jay Treaty did not address impressment and caused an outcry. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison demanded a more assertive response to the British. As president, Jefferson passed the Embargo Act of 1807, prohibiting American ships from trading in British and French ports. Although the policy was designed to enforce American neutrality and compel the British to stop impressing American seamen, the law was repealed two years later after causing significant economic damage.Despite the downsides of impressment, sailors who escaped the practice, including future United States naval officers Charles Stewart and John Digby, often acquired advanced knowledge of British tactics and techniques, which informed the United States war effort.Also, read our article mapping the key locations and battlefields that decided the War of 1812.Trade RestrictionsAmerican superiority at the Worlds Great Fair by R. H. Thomas, 1851. Source: Smithsonian InstitutionAt sea, British trade restrictions against the United States exacerbated hostile impressment. In 1807, England passed the Orders in Council, a sequence of decrees designed to limit global trade with France in response to Napoleons Continental Blockade of Britain. The legislation applied to foreign neutral ships, including the United States, by compelling international vessels to stop at British ports before exchanging goods with other European nations.The Orders in Council significantly interrupted American markets. American ships sailing across the Atlantic were routinely found in violation, resulting in the seizure of American goods deemed contraband. President Jeffersons Embargo Act of 1807 quickly proved more harmful to the United States than its European targets. Following the repeal of the embargo, Congress passed the 1809 Non-Intercourse Act, which enabled trade with European countries other than Britain and France. After finding the new bill difficult to enforce overseas, Macons Bill No. 2 reinstated trade with Britain and France under conditional terms.Napoleon saw the latest American policy as a means to force the United States to reinstate its embargo with Britain by agreeing to stop intercepting American shipping. As Napoleon anticipated, this exacerbated tensions between the United States and Britain. The embargoes and trade restrictions were highly damaging to US economic interests, and American leaders began considering military action to defend their interests.British Support for Native American TribesTenskwatawa, The Open Door, known as The Prophet, Brother of Tecumseh by George Catlin, 1830. Source: Smithsonian InstitutionIn the early 19th century, few alliances were as logical as that between Britain and prominent Native American tribes in the United States. Partnering with Native American groups following defeat in the American Revolutionary War gave the British an opportunity to resist American expansion without direct military involvement. For Native Americans, agreeing to alliances with Britain was a necessary means to protect their land against a mutual adversary. Prior to and during the War of 1812, Britains strategic alliances with Native American tribes spread from the then-Northwest United States to the Great Lakes region, encompassing Tecumsehs Confederacy. Tecumseh and his brother, the Prophet, offered a powerful impediment to American expansion.Early American leaders believed that victory over Britain gave the United States an inherent right to expand westwards without interference. By 1811, before the United States officially declared war on Britain, tensions between American settlers and Native Americans resulted in violent clashes. At the Battle of Tippecanoe, Governor William Henry Harrison of the Indiana Territory led American forces to inflict a crushing defeat upon Tenskwatawas forces. Two years later, Tecumseh was killed in the 1813 Battle of Thames, resulting in the collapse of the Native American confederation.Territorial DisputesPrint of Meriwether Lewis at the National Portrait Gallery, 1816. Source: Smithsonian InstitutionFollowing the American Revolutionary War, Article 7 of the Treaty of Paris specifically stated that the British military was to evacuate its forces from all forts and territories in the newly independent United States with all convenient speed. Despite this provision, the British retained key defenses in the Northwest Territory near modern-day Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Indiana, and Illinois. The British used Fort Detroit as a hub for operations with their Native American allies well after the Treaty of Paris mandated their departure.Britains refusal to abandon its wartime fortifications extended into control of key American waterways. British-manned Fort Mackinac and Fort Niagara allowed them to exploit strategic positions near the Straits of Mackinac (which connects Lake Huron and Lake Michigan) and the Niagara River (which feeds into the Great Lakes). By continuing to garrison these outposts, the British not only ignored the terms of the Treaty of Paris outright, but continued to enforce prewar policies in the Northwestern territories.Before the Revolution, King Geroge III published the Proclamation of 1763 to preserve the Appalachian Mountains for Native Americans, banning colonists from settling there. While the law became a dead letter after the founding of the United States, its lasting effects in the region complicated the United States expansion west. While American expansion remains controversial today, the continued British occupation of the Northwestern forts was a clear violation of the Treaty of Paris.American ExpansionismAmerican Progress by John Gast, 1872. Source: Wikimedia CommonsAlthough the concept of Manifest Destiny, the inevitable and divine right of the United States to spread democracy throughout the North American continent, was not coined until 1845, American expansionism had an immediate foothold in the United States following the American Revolutionary War. Belligerent American politicians known as war hawks believed that Americas northern and southern frontiers could only be secured by armed conflict. By annexing British-held Canada and the Spanish territory of Florida, the United States could be free of foreign influence east of the Appalachian Mountains.This plan, however, was not without strong resistance. Through Native American proxies, England aimed to create a deliberate buffer zone between the United States and British subjects in Canada. While the British strategy was intended to protect Canada, the War of 1812 began with a three-pronged American invasion of Canada.To the west, British influence presented additional roadblocks to American ambitions of unopposed expansion. Less than a decade prior to the War of 1812, the Louisiana Purchase from France nearly doubled the physical size of the United States by adding 828,000 square miles of territory, including over a dozen current states. Under President Jefferson, the Louisiana Purchase and subsequent Lewis and Clark Expedition encouraged Americans to venture west for economic opportunity via new agricultural pastures and trade routes. This expansionism was met with British-supported Native American resistance, further escalating tensions prior to the outbreak of war.National Honor and Post-Revolution TensionsJames Madison, US President during the War of 1812. Portrait by Thomas Sully, 1809. Source: National Portrait Gallery, Smithsonian InstitutionWhile events like Shays Rebellion in 1786 illustrate how the United States navigated domestic instability following independence, anti-British sentiment defined post-Revolutionary society in America. After eight years of fighting British forces with limited resources, the postwar United States was left in a fragile economic state. Popular rhetoric justifiably blamed the British for the economic damage during the war.Alongside British-aided Native American resistance to expansionism, impressment, and territorial disputes, widespread anti-British sentiment following the American Revolutionary War fueled an era where a new America desired not only a country free of foreign influence, but also broader international recognition of American independence. Existing diplomatic approaches such as the Jay Treaty failed to address the main American complaints about British actions, fueling calls for war in the early 19th century.The War of 1812 provided a means to gain national honor on the international stage. By defeating the British navy in several engagements, the United States gained increased overseas attention for its military prowess. Impending war also provided early American citizens with a sense of unity and identity that strengthened American nationalism following the conflict.The War of 1812 was caused by several related factors that together encouraged American leadership to go to war with Britain despite the risks. Although the war was fought on a far smaller scale compared to the Napoleonic Wars in Europe, it was nevertheless a formative experience in the early American republic and came to be regarded as a second war of independence.

One of my less-examined but more consistent opinions over the years is that no video game manages to be more immersive and interactive than those that combine an open world with role-playing mechanics.

While I don't think Minecraft is going anywhere, Hytale has already cemented its place as a sustainable competitor to the world's biggest game. Its rollercoaster development has now stabilized, with millions of players signing up to take part in the early access launch. Developer Hypixel Studios has secured funds for several years of development, and is already hiring more staff to help build the spiritual sequel to the sandbox survival-crafter. It's moving at a remarkable pace, yet founder Simon Collins-Laflamme already has plans "to speed up production" with a new update release cadence.Read the full story on PCGamesN: Not content with its breakneck pace, Hytale dev slows down updates for the live game so it can be "more adventurous"

What's in the Phasmophobia 2026 roadmap? 2025 was far from a quiet year for Phasmophobia. There was a new map, new ghosts, and thrilling seasonal events. Kinetic Games has now revealed its plans for this year, though, and it's even more chock-full of content than the last. Over five years on from its early access release, Phasmophobia remains one of our favorite horror games on PC. It looks cool, the atmosphere is tense, and the developer has been sure to update tools, mechanics, and more over the years. Among the things that are still desperately awaiting an update, though, is character design, and the 2026 Phasmophobia roadmap lists this long-awaited change among heaps of new content. Here's the lowdown.Read the full story on PCGamesN: Phasmophobia roadmap 2026 - 1.0 launch, a new map, and more

There are a lot of burger restaurants these days, and it can be difficult to know which ones to check out. Places that offer this probably aren't worth it.

It tastes like sunshine.READ MORE...

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Easy Crock Pot Chicken Enchilada Casserole made with chicken, beans, corn, tortillas, and cheese. A simple slow cooker meal that fills up all the bellies.AN EASY CHICKEN CASSEROLE IN THE CROCK POTWe like to call this lazy enchiladas in my house. Its simple to make and you still get all the flavors that you know and love about regular enchiladas. This Slow Cooker Enchilada Casserole is an easy, customizable dinner thats perfect for busy days when you want something filling without a lot of prep or hassle. Its the perfect full meal all made in the crock pot!FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:What to serve with Crock Pot Enchilada Casserole? This Crock Pot meal is meant to be a whole meal, but, I think it would be great served with rice and pinto beans. Or something more simple like steamed veggies and a salad. Can I make this in the oven instead? Sure, if you dont want to whip out the slow cooker, try my Baked Enchilada Casserole instead. What else can I add to this casserole? You can add diced bell peppers, jalapeos, or a can of diced green chilies for extra flavor. Top with sour cream, diced tomatoes, sliced black olives or guacamole. Whats the best way to store and reheat leftover Enchilada Casserole? Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days.Reheat individual portions in the microwave in 30-second intervals until warmed through. For larger portions, reheat in a covered dish in the oven at 350F until hot. INGREDIENTS NEEDED: (SEE RECIPE CARD BELOW FOR THE FULL RECIPE)chicken breast if you like beef enchiladas, you can use ground beef instead. Just cook and crumble it first before adding it to the slow cooker. You can swap chicken breast for boneless, skinless chicken thighs if preferred.onioncarrots dont like or dont want carrots in this? Just leave it out.black beans I used canned beans and drained and rinsed them first. If you dont have black beans or like them, you can omit them or use pinto beans instead. corn If you dont like corn, leave it out. Or try using a can of Mexicorn!enchilada sauce Use mild, medium, or hot enchilada sauce depending on your spice preference. Also, if you have a good Homemade Enchilada Sauce recipe that you enjoy, that should work nicely too. tomato saucepacket taco seasoning you can use whatever brand of taco seasoning you like. I also like to use Homemade Taco Seasoning so I can control all the ingredients used, especially important and helpful if youre looking for ways to watch your sodium intake.flour or corn tortillas use whichever you prefer and have on hand. I used flour here but both work.shredded Mexican blend cheese Feel free to use cheddar, Monterey Jack, or any cheese blend you like.green onions I use these sliced green onions for garnish. If you dont have them or dont like them, you can leave them out. HOW TO MAKE CROCK POT ENCHILADA CASSEROLE:Add the chicken breast, diced onion, diced carrot, black beans, corn, enchilada sauce, tomato sauce, and taco seasoning to a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine.Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked and tender.Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and vegetables.Add the quartered flour tortillas to the slow cooker and gently stir them into the mixture until evenly coated.Sprinkle the shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted. Once the cheese is melted, garnish with sliced green onions.Serve warm directly from the slow cooker and enjoy!CRAVING MORE RECIPES?Crock Pot Beef Enchilada CasseroleCrock Pot Chicken Enchilada SoupWhite Chicken Enchilada CasseroleGround Beef EnchiladasWhite Chicken Enchiladas for Two PrintCrock Pot Enchilada CasseroleAll the flavors you know and love from Enchiladas but in casserole form and all made in the Slow Cooker.Course Dinner, Main CourseCuisine AmericanPrep Time 10 minutes minutesCook Time 4 hours hoursServings 6Calories 481kcalAuthor Brandie SkibinskiIngredients1 pounds chicken breast (about 2 large breasts)1 medium onion, diced2 medium carrots, peeled and diced15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed15.25 ounce can corn, drained10 ounces enchilada sauce8 ounces tomato sauce1 ounce packet taco seasoning6 (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters (I used flour tortillas but both work)1 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese2 green onions, sliced (optional, for garnish)InstructionsAdd 1 pounds chicken breast, 1 medium onion, diced, 2 medium carrots, peeled and diced, 15 ounce can black beans, drained and rinsed, 15.25 ounce can corn, drained, 10 ounces enchilada sauce, 8 ounces tomato sauce and 1 ounce packet taco seasoning to a 5-6 quart slow cooker. Stir everything together to combine. Cover and cook on low for 4-6 hours or on high for 2-3 hours, until the chicken is fully cooked (internal temperature should be 165F degrees) and tender. Once the chicken is cooked, use two forks to shred it directly in the slow cooker. Stir the shredded chicken into the sauce and vegetables. Add 6 (6-inch) flour or corn tortillas, cut into quarters to the slow cooker and gently stir them into the mixture until evenly coated. Sprinkle t1 cups shredded Mexican blend cheese evenly over the top of the mixture. Cover the slow cooker and cook for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.Once the cheese is melted, garnish with 2 green onions, sliced. Serve warm directly from the slow cooker and enjoy! NotesPlease refer to my FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) and ingredient list above for other substitutions or for the answers to the most common questions.This cooks for 2 hours on high or 4 hours on low.NutritionCalories: 481kcal | Carbohydrates: 57g | Protein: 43g | Fat: 11g | Sodium: 1347mg | Fiber: 13g | Sugar: 11g

Roku gave no warning after it shut down a popular service in December 2025, even though many of its users relied upon it for news and customer support.