<P> On June 1 , 1812 , President James Madison sent a message to Congress recounting American grievances against Great Britain , though not specifically calling for a declaration of war . After Madison 's message , the House of Representatives deliberated for four days behind closed doors before voting 79 to 49 ( 61 % ) in favor of the first declaration of war . The Senate concurred in the declaration by a 19 to 13 ( 59 % ) vote in favour . The conflict began formally on June 18 , 1812 , when Madison signed the measure into law and proclaimed it the next day . This was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation , and the Congressional vote was the closest vote to formally declare war in American history . The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 , while not a formal declaration of war , was a closer vote . None of the 39 Federalists in Congress voted in favour of the war ; critics of war subsequently referred to it as `` Mr. Madison 's War . '' </P>
<P> On June 1 , 1812 , President James Madison sent a message to Congress recounting American grievances against Great Britain , though not specifically calling for a declaration of war . After Madison 's message , the House of Representatives deliberated for four days behind closed doors before voting 79 to 49 ( 61 % ) in favor of the first declaration of war . The Senate concurred in the declaration by a 19 to 13 ( 59 % ) vote in favour . The conflict began formally on June 18 , 1812 , when Madison signed the measure into law and proclaimed it the next day . This was the first time that the United States had declared war on another nation , and the Congressional vote was the closest vote to formally declare war in American history . The Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 1991 , while not a formal declaration of war , was a closer vote . None of the 39 Federalists in Congress voted in favour of the war ; critics of war subsequently referred to it as `` Mr. Madison 's War . '' </P>
he asked congress to declare war against great britain in 1812
he asked congress to declare war against great britain in 1812
President James Madison
President James Madison