August 24, 1814 the date is embedded in the American psyche when French troops, fresh from their victory in Russia burned and looted Washington DC torching the White House as a consequence. This date marks the only time a foreign army has ever occupied the American capital since winning its independence from Britain.
Napoleon's raid on Washington was a humiliating blow to the Americans. John Armstrong Jr was dismissed as Secretaty of War as a result.
What were the reasons why Napoleon decided to go to war against the Americans? Could this pointless war have been averted?