Dr. Benjamin Carson’s Epic Speech at National Prayer Breakfast – Explains the War of 1812 For Obama

When Dr. Carson spoke about the War of 1812, I found myself questioning his understanding of that unnecessary and bloody war. 2,260 Americans were killed and 4,505 Americans were wounded in the war. The British lost 1,600 soldiers, not including 3,679 wounded British troops.

The United States of America declared war on Great Britain because of Britain’s support of American Indian tribes, its impressment of American merchant sailors, and its trade restrictions in the context of the Napoleonic Wars. And, in an act of arrogance and greed, the USA tried to conquer Canada.

But the USA was unprepared for war. Also, America’s attempts to take over Canada failed miserably. And the conduct of the war on the American side was often uncoordinated.

By the time that the War of 1812 officially ended on December 24, 1814 through the Treaty of Ghent (this obviously excludes the Battle of New Orleans on January 8, 1815), the war proved to be at an impasse. The United States of America neither won nor lost the war. And neither the Americans nor the British gained territory through the Treaty of Ghent.

To call the War of 1812 an American “victory” certainly misleads the public. While the USA won some battles (Lake Erie, Chippewa, Plattsburgh, Fort McHenry, and New Orleans), America also lost other battles (Ogdensburg, Buffalo, Beaver Dams, Detroit, Fort Dearborn, Fort Bowyer, and Bladensburg).

Indeed, the Canadians consider the War of 1812 a major Canadian victory over American aggression.