So having read a fair number of threads I've noticed that nothing (except perhaps the unmentionable sea-mammal) generates as much controversy as a post-1812 pre-1914 British-American war. Unfortunately both sides seem to have rather stereotypical scenarios of how the war plays out (Personally I think both sides have a pre-set template):
British-Victory:
-The US is completely unprepared and gets smashed trying to invade Canada.
-The USN is completely ineffective and the RN has complete control of the seas within a week of the war starting.
-The British Army magically transports thousands of men across the Atlantic and crushes whatever is left of the US army
-Within 3 months the US collapses from lack of trade and a total lack of nation morale
Some problems include:
1. The America was one of Britain's largest trading partners and even during the revolution/1812 both sides kept trading
2. America fought two years against the British with much worse odds and managed to hold together for years, yet post-1814 the British are so scary America folds in about 5 seconds
3.a. America never attempts to get any allies or b. America's allies fail completely
American-Victory:
-The American invasion of Canada is a complete success within 2 weeks
-America magically manages to train a new army from scratch in less than 6 months
-The USN modernizes to an impressive degree and gains local control of the seas
-The British fold from a total lack of national morale
Some problems include:
1. It's not 1941 and the US can't just pull a new army and navy out of its ass.
2. The RN was pretty badass and the British Army while small would still be larger and much better trained than the US Army for at least the first year.
3.a. Britain fails to get any allies or b. Britain's allies do nothing
Generally both sides seem to underestimate the other side's national morale, economic viability and capable military commanders. On the same note the side one is arguing for has near ASB logistical capabilities and never makes any wrong moves despite the command weaknesses both nations showed historically at this time (ACW, Crimea, Boer War etc.).
Personally I'm on the American victory side, but I realized that the extent to which both sides wank their nations is ridiculous and thought someone should point it out since I've seen the exact same debate at least 5 times.
So what does everyone else think of the Generic 3rd Britsh-American War?