VISUAL ACTIVITYThe Taking of the City of Washington in America This London engraving celebrates Britain’s devastating attack on Washington in 1814. Troops fire cannons on the city while other redcoats burn ships and bridges. In the background, huge flames leap from the “Presidential Palace” (so named in a key to the picture). Some soldiers sought trophies of war. Below is James Madison’s medicine chest, plundered that night. In 1939, the souvenir was returned to President Franklin D. Roosevelt.READING THE IMAGE: How many fires appear in this image? Can you identify the structure meant to be the U.S. Capitol building? Do you think the artist was familiar with the geography or architecture of Washington?CONNECTIONS: Did the burning of the seat of government mean that Britain really won the war? Who did win the war, in your opinion?
Engraving: Library of Congress, LC- G- a-