I think why American want to forget it is because it raises some rather uncomfortable questions. Sure, there was the whole issue of impressment of American sailors for British ships as part of the Napoleonic wars. But, the main reason the war happened was because American forces decided, "Hey! Britain is preoccupied with France now, let's take over Canada while they ain't looking!"

...which the British came in and promptly trashed the American forces and burned the White House.

It was only because Britain was fighting France that they both agreed to draw back to the original boarders.

No, not exactly America's finest moment.

if ya want - we could all help out with the historic reenactments ... we'll scorch the White House for ya again,

I love the War of 1812 man - the only battle in history in which 3 sides all claim to have 'won' it.

P.S. Colonials don't get to be knighted or lorded or buy themselves a peerage.... so no worries on that score.

Edited at 2010-04-28 02:43 pm (UTC)

yeah - the Canadian government did - he had to renounce his Canadian citizenship in order to buy his baronage - t'is always been thus in the colonies.

t'is why when the US Attorney General came after him for fraud he was not allowed to run back to Canada with his tail between his legs.

Edited at 2010-04-29 12:58 am (UTC)

It was one of those sequels that doesn't come close to living up to the original, so we evoke what the TV Tropes Wiki calls "dis-continuity."