Congress might have been divided about declaring war on Britain for several reasons, as indicated by the options provided. Here are a couple of possible explanations:
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Military Capability Concerns: Some members of Congress may have been hesitant to declare war due to doubts about the American military's ability to compete with the well-established and powerful British military. This concern could lead to opposition against entering a conflict that they believed the U.S. might not be able to win.
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Regional Differences: The division between regions, notably how Southern representatives felt less concern about British interference in American shipping compared to their Northern counterparts, could create a lack of consensus on the war declaration.
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Support for War Hawks: The balance of support for War Hawks in the House of Representatives versus the Senate could impact the ability to declare war. If the War Hawks had more supporters in the House, but less influence in the Senate, this could lead to a division on the issue.
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Skepticism About Native American Threats: Additionally, some representatives might have doubted the validity of rumors regarding Native American attacks, which could influence their stance on war.
Overall, the combination of military, regional, and political factors contributed to Congress's division regarding the war declaration.