Honestly, it was a boiling-over of relations. The War of 1812 was a violent way for the United States to cool down about Britain, and I'd say that without the War of 1812, relations would continue to be bad, leading the U.S. to a much worse war with Britain. This mostly happened because Britain press-ganged U.S. sailors into action, FURTHER worsening their relationship after the War for Independence, so, make of that what you will.
