The War of 1812 really was not much of a defeat. People always forget that the British did rather well. They burned the capital, which is quite frankly a big deal (it is a big deal that they could reach it, let along burn it). It ended in a stalemate and the only losers were the Native Americans who fought with the British, the Americans lost a lot monetary wise and the British didn't gain anything. It really was not a war by the British to say gain land in America, it was more of a fuck you little shits no one fucks with Mamma Britain, and in fact no one fucks with Mamma Britain, unless they want their White House torched.