09-07-2003, 04:37 AM
If it came down to changing one minor point in history, it would have been interesting to prevent General Isaac Brock's stupidly suicidal charge up Queenston Heights (13 October, 1812). The charge was okay, but for the most competent, in fact brilliant, General that the British had in Canada to lead it was a disastrously selfish bid for personal glory.
Had Brock not been killed, Prevost's non-aggressive stance would have been compensated, with the probable result that the Great Lakes would have been kept secure, and the British would have maintained control of them during the critical first winter, while additional ships were being built. Without an easy crossing, the Americans would have probably given up on that route of invasion, which was where their greatest successes were. They would probably have accepted peace in 1813, with no concessions on the part of the British. The Americans, at least, would have needed a different anthem. :) With less of a distraction in the colonies, Britain may have finished the business with Napoleon a bit more quickly.
Ultimately, the absence of a single super-power would probably have resulted in a much stronger global alliance, possibly able to dissuade the wars of the 20th century.
-rcv-
Had Brock not been killed, Prevost's non-aggressive stance would have been compensated, with the probable result that the Great Lakes would have been kept secure, and the British would have maintained control of them during the critical first winter, while additional ships were being built. Without an easy crossing, the Americans would have probably given up on that route of invasion, which was where their greatest successes were. They would probably have accepted peace in 1813, with no concessions on the part of the British. The Americans, at least, would have needed a different anthem. :) With less of a distraction in the colonies, Britain may have finished the business with Napoleon a bit more quickly.
Ultimately, the absence of a single super-power would probably have resulted in a much stronger global alliance, possibly able to dissuade the wars of the 20th century.
-rcv-