The War of 1812 between the United States and Britain arose from several interconnected issues. Foremost among these were British restrictions on American trade, the impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, and British support for Native American resistance against American expansion in the Northwest Territory. The U.S. desired to assert its sovereignty and protect its interests. The war saw significant battles, including the burning of Washington, D.C., and culminated in the Treaty of Ghent in 1814, which effectively restored pre-war boundaries. While neither side achieved a decisive victory, the conflict fostered a sense of American nationalism and unity, shaping the nation's future.