When James Madison took office as the fourth president of the United States, he faced several difficulties. Great Britain was blocking US trade with Europe and capturing US sailors to fight for the British Royal Navy. He also faced problems with Native Americans who, under the leadership of Tecumseh, who fought to stop US expansion into the Northwest Territory. The War of 1812 between the US & Great Britain would last almost three years. During the war, the United States, defeated the British Navy at the Battle of Lake Erie. But the British also invaded Washington, DC, inflicting damage on our nation's capitol...like burning the White House! Being held a prisoner on a British ship in Baltimore Harbor, American lawyer Francis Scott Key wrote a poem about the experience. This poem would become the lyrics for our national anthem, "The Star Spangled Banner." In late 1814, peace was negotiated to end the War of 1812.