Why is the War of 1812 a big deal?

• Why is the War of 1812 a big deal in the United States and Canada yet regarded as a minor period of annoyance by Great Britain?
• Was the Anglo-American "War of 1812" simply one rather unimportant period in the much greater world-wide Napoleonic Wars from 1800-1815? 
• Was America just a “burr under the saddle” to Great Britain during the War of 1812?
• And why was everyone so mad?

Decide for yourself when you click the link below and watch "The War of 1812" a 2-hour, online PBS presentation on the politics and battles that defined the war.  http://video.pbs.org/video/2089393539#




This program was produced by WNED-TV of Buffalo/Toronto.  Learn more at the PBS War of 1812 website at:  http://www.pbs.org/wned/war-of-1812