War Hawks
US politicians who favored war against Great Britain
Real World Example
War Hawks were a group of young, energetic U.S. politicians in the early 1800s, like Henry Clay and John C. Calhoun, who pushed for war against Great Britain, leading to the War of 1812. They were concerned about British interference with American trade and the support Britain provided to Native American tribes resisting American expansion. Their actions mattered because they helped assert the United States' independence and sovereignty, shaping national identity and encouraging economic self-reliance. Today, their legacy lives on in the way Americans value standing up for national interests and taking decisive action in the face of external threats. For example, when people advocate for policies that protect local jobs from overseas competition, they reflect the War Hawks' spirit of defending national prosperity and independence.
