AH Challenge: President Joshua L Chamberlain

[Jason Sleeman]

With a P.O.D from 1865 on create a timeline in which Joshua L Chamberlain becomes U.S President.

What might his presidency be like?

How might things be changed by a Chamberlain Presidency?

Have Fun

Jason Sleeman

[Derek Jackson]

Who was Joshua L Chamberlain?

[JLCook]

Originally Posted by Derek Jackson

Who was Joshua L Chamberlain?

LtCOL Joshua Lawrence Chaimberlain commanded the 20th MAINE regiment, at Little Round Top, during the battle of Gettysburg! More specificlly, he ordered and led a bayonet charge, downhill, against attacking Confederates, sweeping them before him, AFTER his troops ran out of ammunition!

For this, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was later wounded and also promoted to at least Major general.

After the war ended, he went home to Maine, was elected Governor repeatedly, and finally served as President of his Alma Mater, Bowdoin College.

He was perhaps the greatest Maine war hero ever, and he died of his wounds in ~1919!

The Ted Turner movie, GETTYSBURG, and Michael Shaara's book, "THE KILLER ANGELS", both featured him!

[Steffen]

i´m curious. besides being maine´s greatest war hero- and the question if it´s roughly the same as the greatest seeman of switzerland,
was he an able governeur?

[Archangel Michael]

Originally Posted by JLCook

For this, he was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. He was later wounded and also promoted to at least Major general.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 1893. Wonder why they waited so long?

Originally Posted by JLCook

He was perhaps the greatest Maine war hero ever, and he died of his wounds in ~1919!

1914 to be exact.

[Mike Stearns]

I'm only familiar with him from Gods and Generals, both the movie and the book but I get the impression from those sources that he'd have been a great president.

[David S Poepoe]

Originally Posted by Mike Stearns

I'm only familiar with him from Gods and Generals, both the movie and the book but I get the impression from those sources that he'd have been a great president.

Getting anything from Hollywood should be viewed with suspicion. Shaaras' (both father and son) books are probably better. The best would be to look at his life. I know Chamberlain did write a few books and there must be an autobiography or biography of him available. However, one has to look beyond the war mystique. Grant was great at war, but sort of stumbled as president.

[Kurt_Steiner]

Originally Posted by Derek Jackson

Who was Joshua L Chamberlain?

read "Conceived in Liberty" by Mark Perry and you will know a lot about him -and about William Oates- . It is worth reading it.

[Wendell]

Getting to the point of this timeline, he could run in 1884 instead of the senator (Blaine) from Maine running, and maybe go on to beat Cleveland?

[Derek Jackson]

I had heard that Democrats alleged, and were believed, that Blaine was more or less corrupt. I guess another candidate might have defeated Cleveland. Maybe that changes things because it might seem that Democrats can NOT win the Presidencey.

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Derek Jackson

I had heard that Democrats alleged, and were believed, that Blaine was more or less corrupt. I guess another candidate might have defeated Cleveland. Maybe that changes things because it might seem that Democrats can NOT win the Presidencey.

"Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Contemptible senator from the State of Maine!"


Here's an idea: Make Chamberlain Garfield's VP. Guiteau kills Garfield, and voila.

[Archangel Michael]

Originally Posted by Wendell

"Blaine! Blaine! James G. Blaine! Contemptible senator from the State of Maine!"


Here's an idea: Make Chamberlain Garfield's VP. Guiteau kills Garfield, and voila.

Wasn't Blaine the only other Republican president, and lead the Union in another war against the Confederacy?

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Archangel Michael

Wasn't Blaine the only other Republican president, and lead the Union in another war against the Confederacy?

Yeah, I think so?

[Jason Sleeman]

I Had Chamberlain pegged to run in 1896 with Mckinley as his veep and winning again in 1900 with T.R as his veep. Mckinley resigning due to ill health at the end of the first term.

Chamberlain would likely be a progressive, liberal minded Republican President.
And he was a strong advocate of African American civil rights.

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Jason Sleeman

I Had Chamberlain pegged to run in 1896 with Mckinley as his veep and winning again in 1900 with T.R as his veep. Mckinley resigning due to ill health at the end of the first term.

Chamberlain would likely be a progressive, liberal minded Republican President.
And he was a strong advocate of African American civil rights.

Chamberlain was rather ill by the end of the 1880's. Have him run in 1880, or 1876. I agree that he would be a Republican. Remember, he had been governor of Maine for several terms of office.

[Jason Sleeman]

"Chamberlain was rather ill by the end of the 1880's" I was unaware he had had any serious bout of illness until shortly before his death. Was this a result of his many battle injuries? did he recover his health at any point later, enough perhaps to assume public office?

Jason Sleeman

[Wendell]

Originally Posted by Jason Sleeman

"Chamberlain was rather ill by the end of the 1880's" I was unaware he had had any serious bout of illness until shortly before his death. Was this a result of his many battle injuries? did he recover his health at any point later, enough perhaps to assume public office?

Jason Sleeman

My understanding is that he continued to deteriorate until his death.

[Melvin Loh]

Excellent idea. I reckon the sorta leader Joshua Lawrence Chamberlain was during the ACW would've been caiired over well into civilian politics had he decided to go all the way to run for pres- remember, prewar, he'd also been prof of rhetoric at Bowdoin College, so he was a very learned and capable intellectual in addition to becoming the great tactician and leader at Little Round Top and into the Virginia campaigns of 1864-65. I agree with Jason on his perspectives in politics as a liberal, which were alluded to in GETTYSBURG during his speech to the 2nd Maine contingent re how the entire land should be unified with freedom for all, regardless of colour, and his positive references in his conversations with Sgt Kilrain re the few freedmen he knew back in Portland.

BTW, Jeff Daniels (the same guy from DUMB & DUMBER) played Chamberlain in both GETTYSBURG and GODS & GENERALS- wonder how the last instlament of the series, THE LAST FULL MEASURE, will come out ?

[Romulus Augustulus]

How's the 1876 election, as a Republican? He plays on his war hero status to win handily over Samuel Tilden, among other things. Well, he wins narrowly, but he isn't hanging by a chad. I'd say he continues the program of civil rights and Reconstruction. It could also have ripple effects in Europe, since the years from 1877-1880 were very important in shaping future events in Europe. For starters, you have the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War, the 1879 Austro-German alliance...

[Derek Jackson]

Originally Posted by Romulus Augustulus

How's the 1876 election, as a Republican? He plays on his war hero status to win handily over Samuel Tilden, among other things. Well, he wins narrowly, but he isn't hanging by a chad. I'd say he continues the program of civil rights and Reconstruction. It could also have ripple effects in Europe, since the years from 1877-1880 were very important in shaping future events in Europe. For starters, you have the 1877-1878 Russo-Turkish War, the 1879 Austro-German alliance...

It strikes me as more credible that Civil Rights could have been advanced im 1876 than by 1880 or 1884. Presumably Chamberlain would also have been in better health.