Today...

[Amadeus]

*goes wide eyed* I'm hoping this is a joke. Enjoy that invasion of Japan that would have happened without Fat Man and Little Boy.

Putting the fact that the Manhattan project was a joint operation between the US and the UK aside, the nuclear bombs had a lot lesser effect then mainstream history would make you belive. From the perspective of direct effect, firebombings were more devastating. As for indirect effects, the Japanese were already prepared to surrender by that point in the war but they wanted to preserve the Emperor`s honour through a negotiated peace. The thing which finally convinced them to accept an unconditional surrender were not the atom bombs, but the quick destruction of the Kwangtung Army in Manchuria.

That said, the contribution the US made during World War II was preety substantial. Despite the large contribution of the dominions, especially Canada, to the war effort, the British were preety reliant on the US economy for the production of war goods. Plus, the US was waging war against Japan almost entirely alone.

As for the War of 1812. That war is not exactly a great source for American pride. The US tried to conquer Canada while the British were greatly involved in the war against Napoleon, but were beaten back and even had their capital burned. Although the Americans did later manage to beat the British back, that hardly mattered since the British wanted a status quo peace in the first place due to the Napoleonic wars.

Long history lecture aside, I congratulate all American members of Chubbs on their national holiday. I hope you have a lot of fun.