Thanks Elfwine for the spirited discussion. I guess the bottom line here is does a cotton crop failure and subsequent shortage that damages Great Britain's economy leading to war with the US over the blockade seem plausible enough to do a timeline on?
I have a few timelines on the ASB thread but I have been looking to do one without the time travel theme I have been using. So is this a plausible way to go?
I wouldn't say its entirely implausible, but I wouldn't wager on it.
Its more "This seems very unlikely." kind of implausible than "This would be counter to everything going on." however, so I think its worth a shot
Is Britain capable? Sure. Willing? That's where it gets complicated.
And I'm not familiar enough with the details of the British government to give a good answer on how they would treat the blockade in a situation where its a barrier between British mills and Southern cotton.
That being said, if the politics add up right, you have your war. And it will not end well for the US. Not necessarily destruction, but its at a disadvantage on many levels.