The declaration of war in 1812 was strongly opposed by:
a. new england merchants
b. the war hawks
c. western farmers
d. southern republicans

The declaration of the war in 1812 was strongly opposed and contradicted by the New England merchants.  

It is believed that the New England merchants did not agree with the declaration of war in 1812 because they were making great profits from European war after the Embargo Act has been repealed. The merchants believed that impressment is only a minor incovenience.  Their vested interests and strong religious ties to the Protestantism  is the reason why they are more sympathetic to the Protestant British than the Catholic French.