What conflict is often referred to as the "second American war of independence"?

The conflict often referred to as the "second American war of independence" is the War of 1812. This designation arises because the War of 1812 represented a significant moment in the U.S. asserting its sovereignty and independence against British interference, much like the Revolutionary War. Following independence from Britain in the late 18th century, tensions remained due to issues such as trade restrictions, the impressment of American sailors into the British Navy, and British support for Native American resistance against American expansion.

The term "second American war of independence" emphasizes that this conflict was another struggle for the United States to fully establish its independence and resist British influence. The war ultimately reinforced national identity and sovereignty, laying the groundwork for a more assertive foreign policy and greater unity among the states, characteristics that were crucial for the nation's development moving forward.

Other conflicts like the Civil War, while significant, were internal struggles related to issues like slavery and states' rights rather than a fight for independence from a colonial power. The Revolutionary War was the first fight for independence, and World War I, though impactful globally, involved different motivations and contexts that do not align with the notion of battling for independence from colonial rule.