War of 1812, Part 2, 1814 1815

We examine the question: "Who won the bloody war anyway?"

The Canadians won, the Native Americans lost, the British won, the Americans lost and most of all, far more importantly, the Americans won the war overwhelmingly.  The apparent contradiction here is resolved.

The great clashed happen in the land war.  The elite British line infantry met newly, well-trained American regulars, and... the British were not better.  Straight up equal battles on flat terrain are sometimes won by Americans, sometimes the British. 

The key to the land war is still naval control of the lakes and there bewilderingly, the Americans continue to win overwhelming vicotries over the British.

And, of course, the Battle of New Orleans happens, news of which arrives shortly before news of the peace, leading to a notion that the battle led to the peace.

We examine the context of the Peace of Ghent within the structure of the Congress of Vienna.  The effect of the Peace on the Congress of Vienna was more important to the British than the details of the peace, so the Americans did not have to give up anything to get peace.