a
reference to the
War of 1812, a conflict between the United
States and Britain over the
rights of the US at
sea that lasted from 1812 to 1815. The
war was said to be caused by the attempts of the US to maintain the
freedom of the seas against British and
French interference and the desire to seize Canada from Great Britain. Between the years of 1793 and 1815
England and
France fought intermittently, and both countries were interfering with US
trade and its
right to freely
use the
sea. The British
cut off
American trade routes to Europe. Unable to settle differences, the United
States declared
war on Britain.
American soldiers attacked Canada unsuccessfully and the British retaliated by
burning the
White House and other buildings in
Washington,
DC. The
war lasted until 1815, when a treaty was signed restoring prewar
conditions.