Ok, all, I've never started a timeline before so let me know what you think.
I've had this idea as to how America would develop if the Quasi-War of 1797-1800 expanded to an out and out conflict.
I'll add in a page or two almost daily.
Here it goes:
The Rebel Nation Turns on a Mad Revolution - A timeline of the Quisi-War - Chapter One - 1794
_________________________________
George Washington was angry. That was nothing new. He'd been angry about one thing or another most of his life.
-The myriad family members god took before their time.
-Virginia declining to provide adequate provisions in 1755 for the young Colonel to defend the frontier against the French and their Indian allies.
-The British Army officers laughing at the "mere colonials" desire for an official commission.
-Parliament's, the George III's, refusal to recognize American rights.
-Congress' dismal efforts to provision his patriotic army.
-The endless political squabbles as Washington attempted to establish precedent as to how to govern the newfound country.
The Virginian has spent much of his life cloaking his feelings under the rigid southern code of etiquette, aspiring to the genteel English patrician ideal. Seven years of war against King George did not alter the man's determination for this control. Yet somehow the fanatical contempt in the eyes of "citizen Genet" as he blithely refused (REFUSED!) to accede to the President's request at ceasing his provocative actions in the South incensed the Virginian to new heights, threatening to stifle his waning hegemony over his exponentially rising rage.
America was neutral in this French Revolution. A foreign citizen blatantly commissioning privateers in American harbors to raid British commerce, organizing battalions in American cities to assault Spanish Florida, was provocative to the extreme. Who could blame Britain for assuming America condoned these actions?
Worse? The fact that his own government had done so little about the matter. COULD do so little about the matter.
"Mr. Genet," Washington growled, failing to keep his calm at the contemptuous glare of the French functionary. "You forget yourself!"
"No, Mr. President," the very picture of calm, "You forget that the French people bore much burden for your freedom, even if the American people have not forgotten. I shall not cease my efforts to battle the reactionary powers of Europe! If your nation casts your little government aside, more the better!"
Washington had heard enough. Formal denunciations of Genet's activities had accomplished nothing. Public vows of neutrality ignored. Washington had heard enough.
"Mr. Genet," the Virginian hissed. "You may consider your visit to America at an end. If you are discovered within my nation's borders after seven days, you will be returned to France in chains!"
Genet's eyes widened, not expecting this. "Sir, your people..."
"Are MY people, not yours! You have seven days to depart. Any person, foreign or domestic, whom violates this Neutrality Act shall be prosecuted without hesitation!"
Sputtering, Genet was escorted from the Presidential Mansion. Momentarily left in peace, the aging Virginian sighed, a sickly sound emerging from his dentures. Only a few teeth remained, he suspected he would die the day the final tooth fell out. If only I hadn't agreed to a second term, this would be Adams or Jefferson's problem.
Still, what choice was there? For France to so blatantly challenge America's sovereignty by recruiting soldiers and sailors ON AMERICAN SOIL?
Washington shook his head. Only two more years and I might return to Mt. Vernon for good.
Hamilton had been inquiring whom, if anyone, in France should be receiving the payments on American's still considerable debt accrued from her own War for Independence. It was a fair question. France was America's greatest creditor. Were those funds supplied by the French people, or the late Louis XVI?
With the King dead, did America owe anything to anyone?
The debate continued to rage in public and it was not restricted to financial matters. Many American's supported any Revolutionary government and France's regime had indeed been despotic. The "Great Terror" had caught America by surprise, turning many supporters against the mad Republic. America was divided strait up the middle.
Two more years, Washington nodded to himself. Two more years.
I've had this idea as to how America would develop if the Quasi-War of 1797-1800 expanded to an out and out conflict.
I'll add in a page or two almost daily.
Here it goes:
The Rebel Nation Turns on a Mad Revolution - A timeline of the Quisi-War - Chapter One - 1794
_________________________________
George Washington was angry. That was nothing new. He'd been angry about one thing or another most of his life.
-The myriad family members god took before their time.
-Virginia declining to provide adequate provisions in 1755 for the young Colonel to defend the frontier against the French and their Indian allies.
-The British Army officers laughing at the "mere colonials" desire for an official commission.
-Parliament's, the George III's, refusal to recognize American rights.
-Congress' dismal efforts to provision his patriotic army.
-The endless political squabbles as Washington attempted to establish precedent as to how to govern the newfound country.
The Virginian has spent much of his life cloaking his feelings under the rigid southern code of etiquette, aspiring to the genteel English patrician ideal. Seven years of war against King George did not alter the man's determination for this control. Yet somehow the fanatical contempt in the eyes of "citizen Genet" as he blithely refused (REFUSED!) to accede to the President's request at ceasing his provocative actions in the South incensed the Virginian to new heights, threatening to stifle his waning hegemony over his exponentially rising rage.
America was neutral in this French Revolution. A foreign citizen blatantly commissioning privateers in American harbors to raid British commerce, organizing battalions in American cities to assault Spanish Florida, was provocative to the extreme. Who could blame Britain for assuming America condoned these actions?
Worse? The fact that his own government had done so little about the matter. COULD do so little about the matter.
"Mr. Genet," Washington growled, failing to keep his calm at the contemptuous glare of the French functionary. "You forget yourself!"
"No, Mr. President," the very picture of calm, "You forget that the French people bore much burden for your freedom, even if the American people have not forgotten. I shall not cease my efforts to battle the reactionary powers of Europe! If your nation casts your little government aside, more the better!"
Washington had heard enough. Formal denunciations of Genet's activities had accomplished nothing. Public vows of neutrality ignored. Washington had heard enough.
"Mr. Genet," the Virginian hissed. "You may consider your visit to America at an end. If you are discovered within my nation's borders after seven days, you will be returned to France in chains!"
Genet's eyes widened, not expecting this. "Sir, your people..."
"Are MY people, not yours! You have seven days to depart. Any person, foreign or domestic, whom violates this Neutrality Act shall be prosecuted without hesitation!"
Sputtering, Genet was escorted from the Presidential Mansion. Momentarily left in peace, the aging Virginian sighed, a sickly sound emerging from his dentures. Only a few teeth remained, he suspected he would die the day the final tooth fell out. If only I hadn't agreed to a second term, this would be Adams or Jefferson's problem.
Still, what choice was there? For France to so blatantly challenge America's sovereignty by recruiting soldiers and sailors ON AMERICAN SOIL?
Washington shook his head. Only two more years and I might return to Mt. Vernon for good.
Hamilton had been inquiring whom, if anyone, in France should be receiving the payments on American's still considerable debt accrued from her own War for Independence. It was a fair question. France was America's greatest creditor. Were those funds supplied by the French people, or the late Louis XVI?
With the King dead, did America owe anything to anyone?
The debate continued to rage in public and it was not restricted to financial matters. Many American's supported any Revolutionary government and France's regime had indeed been despotic. The "Great Terror" had caught America by surprise, turning many supporters against the mad Republic. America was divided strait up the middle.
Two more years, Washington nodded to himself. Two more years.
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