Great Britain and France had been at war, off and on, since 1793. The United States, which traded with both countries, was caught in the middle. Britain blocked all French seaports and insisted that U.S. ships first stop at a British port and pay a fee before continuing to France. Britian was also interfering in the affairs of Canada, America's neighbor.

The War of 1812 came to be known as the second American war of independence. How long did the war last and where was it fought?