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George Washington In his farewell address in 1796, Washington urged American leaders to avoid involvement in European affairs and conflicts.

Thomas Jefferson Jefferson found that staying neutral was difficult. England and France tried to interfere in American affairs. Often, they were at war with each other.

James Madison Madison was elected president in 1808, and the problems with England continued.

Problems at Sea British ships were attacking American ships on the high seas.

The British had a policy of seizing Americans at sea and “impressing,” or drafting them into the British navy. http://www.thewarof1812.com/Museum/Lesson5/docume1.jpg

Problems With Native Americans Americans grew even angrier after learning that officials in British Canada were supplying arms to Native Americans in support of their ongoing battle against American settlers. http://www.historyofwaronline.com/images/war1208.jpg

By the spring of 1812, President Madison had decided to commit America to war against British, and Congress approved the war declaration in mid-June. examiner.com

British Attack on Washington The British scored a stunning victory in August of 1814, and burned the White House and the Capitol.

Dolley Madison The wife of the president saved a valuable portrait of George Washington from the British army.

“The Star Spangled Banner” Francis Scott Key had come to Baltimore to negotiate the release of a civilian prisoner of war. He witnessed the British firing on Fort McHenry from a nearby ship. An oversized American flag had been sewn by Mary Pickersgill in anticipation of the British attack on the fort. When Key saw the flag emerge intact in the dawn of September 14, he was so moved that he began that morning to compose the poem that would later be become "The Star-Spangled Banner”

The Treaty of Ghent, signed on Christmas Eve, 1814, declared an armistice, or end to the fighting. http://war1812.tripod.com/ghent.GIF