The Burning of Washington in 1814

In 1814, British forces attacked Washington DC, burning the US Capitol and White House. The city was small and under construction, with significant damage inflicted. The British exploited American dependence on slavery, offering freedom to slaves who joined them. The attack on the White House included a surprising dinner before its destruction. The aftermath left Washington in ruins, but the British occupation was brief. The war ended in a stalemate, with the event marking a pivotal moment in American history.

What was the primary reason for the British burning Washington, D.C. in 1814?

• To gain control of American ports

• To retaliate against American attacks in Canada

• To capture President James Madison

• To disrupt American trade routes

What was the state of Washington, D.C. in 1814?

• A well-developed city

• A military fortress

• A bustling metropolis

• A small, strung-out construction site

What was the Achilles heel of the original House chamber in the Capitol?

• Its corncob columns

• Its wooden ceiling

• Its stone walls

• Its glass windows

What was the significance of the corncob columns in the Senate vestibule?

• They were a symbol of American agriculture

• They were made of fireproof material

• They represented American independence

• They were a gift from the British

How did the British exploit a weak side in American society during their invasion?

• By attacking American trade routes

• By offering freedom to American slaves

• By capturing American leaders

• By destroying American ports

What was the British soldiers' first impression of the White House?

• It was a small cottage

• It was a reasonably well-decorated house

• It was a grand palace

• It was a military fortress

What did the British soldiers find surprising inside the White House?

• A large library

• A dinner set for 40

• A hidden treasure

• A secret passage

Who famously saved the portrait of George Washington during the British invasion?

• Steven Pleasanton

• William Allman

• Dolly Madison

• President James Madison

What did the British do after torching the White House?

• They captured President Madison

• They burned the State, Treasury, and War departments

• They retreated to Canada

• They occupied the city for a month

What was the outcome of the War of 1812?

• A decisive American victory

• A decisive British victory

• A prolonged occupation of Washington, D.C.

• A virtual stalemate