alternatehistory.com

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?
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