Roots of war -- Free trade and sailors' rights -- Jefferson's embargo and the slide toward war -- Madison's strategy -- The United States declares war -- Blue-water victories -- The Constitution and the Guerriere -- Ripe apples and bitter fruit: the Canadian invasion -- Canadian disasters accumulate -- More blue-water victories -- The Constitution and the Java -- A sea change -- Napoleon and Alexander -- The Canadian invasion resumes -- The Chesapeake and the Shannon -- Raids in Chesapeake Bay -- Oliver Hazard Perry -- Attack on Montreal -- The war at sea in 1813 -- The allies and Napoleon -- British and American war plans -- The British blockade -- The Essex -- Burning Washington -- The war at sea continues in 1814 -- Negotiations begin at Ghent -- Baltimore -- Plattsburg -- A peace treaty -- The Hartford Convention -- New Orleans -- An amazing change -- A new era -- From temporary armistice to lasting peace: the importance of the war.