America's Second war with Britain
British burning White House during War of 1812
The French Revolution had left that country in chaos. Twenty-six-year-old Napoleon fired cannons down the streets of Paris, mowing down French citizens in the 13 Vendémiaire revolt, 1795. The French Directory then made the young Napoleon General of the Army of Italy.
Napoleon won decisive victories against the Italians and Austrians in 1796. Napoleon conquered Ottoman Egypt in 1798. In 1799, when the French Directory collapsed, Napoleon staged a coup d’état, and seized power, being installed as First Consul.
Needing funds, Napoleon sold the Louisiana Territory to the United States in 1803. After winning the Battle of Marengo, Napoleon had himself made Emperor in 1804. After the Battle of Austerlitz, Napoleon dissolved the thousand-year-old Holy Roman Empire.