1860:
Point of Departure:
Seward’s speech at the Republican convention of 1860. Citing the “irrepressible conflict” he was deemed too radical to sway voters.
In this ATL, Seward makes a conciliatory speech, and sways those who believed he was too radical for the nomination. He wins the nomination 240 – 95.
The Presidential Election of 1860
The Democratic Party had already split, and Steven Douglas and Breckinridge both vied for the nomination. Despite Douglas’ tireless efforts he only carried New Jersey, Illinois, and Missouri. Breckenridge garnered the whole south, while Bell captured the three states of the Upper South. In many counties, Seward and Douglas did not even appear on the ballot. When the election comes to pass, Seward had won the election
He gathered 165 electoral votes, beating Douglas’ 27, Bell’s 54, and Breckinridge’s 61.
Southern Secession
Enraged by the result, fire-eaters in the South immediately called for secession and Republicans ignored these calls as bluffs. On December 22, after several days of meeting, South Carolina seceded from the Union with a convention vote of 165 – 4. Within six weeks the breakup of the Union had begun
1861:
The Crittenden Amendments
The Crittenden Amendments were narrowly passed in the Senate and House on January 17th after much effort on the part of Seward (who supported it in OTL). Consisting of six Amendments it included the addition of a homestead act giving 125 acres to any citizen that farm it for four years, and the prohibition of slavery south of 30 degrees, unless the amendments were revoked. It also reversed the Supreme Court decision, Dred Scott v. Sandford. One point of contention was the removal of the original amendment that had not allowed Congress to change the amendments. After much wrangling, this was deemed unconstitutional by the Senate.
The Senator Stephen Douglas pointed out that even the Bill of Rights could be modified and changes, and that this would set a dangerous precedent.
Another proposed amendment would have outlawed secession, but this was deemed too radical.
As a result, there is no Confederate Convention in Montgomery and the states of the Deep South return to the Union beginning with Alabama and Mississippi.
This is vilified by many republicans, including Abraham Lincoln, and Seward was seen as a “traitor” for the South. Many of these Republicans, mostly former Free-Soilers repudiate the president and the nascent Republican Party split with the majority of the Republicans following Lincoln’s and Chase’s leadership
On the other hand, many Democrats who had no opinion about the question of slavery, and Southern Unionists were happy that the Union was preserved.
Secessionists and Fire-eaters in the South, especially, were gradually silenced as they could not rail against the slavery hating designs of Northern Free-Soilers such as Chase. Many more moderate papers in the South applauded the quick and timely actions of President Seward, who gained much popularity in the South, while losing the same amount in the North.
Most of the year continued quietly, without much fuss due to the stalemate in Congress between the Democrats and Republicans. One proposal that is put forth later in the year is a proposal for the colonization of free blacks to Liberia or another area. Passed by both houses, it was one of the only bills to do so during the year, and set aside 10 million dollars for the project. The 37th Congress is later renamed the “Sluggard’s Convention”.
The Monroe Doctrine
The Mexican Civil War continues apace as the year progresses. Napoleon III of France contemplates intervention, but is warned by President Seward that any action by the French would invoke the Monroe Doctrine. After Britain declined to support Napoleon’s actions, the French decided against the intervention in Mexico. Benito Juarez’ government is relieved and US is pleased at the establishment of a friendly power to the South. Taking a page from Napoleon Bonaparte’s book, Juarez confiscated a good deal of the Church’s wealth, and uses that to pay for the debt. This creates some powerful enemies within the church, but Juarez is able to overcome these obstacles, and his rule until his death in 1871 was peaceful and benevolent.
Point of Departure:
Seward’s speech at the Republican convention of 1860. Citing the “irrepressible conflict” he was deemed too radical to sway voters.
In this ATL, Seward makes a conciliatory speech, and sways those who believed he was too radical for the nomination. He wins the nomination 240 – 95.
The Presidential Election of 1860
The Democratic Party had already split, and Steven Douglas and Breckinridge both vied for the nomination. Despite Douglas’ tireless efforts he only carried New Jersey, Illinois, and Missouri. Breckenridge garnered the whole south, while Bell captured the three states of the Upper South. In many counties, Seward and Douglas did not even appear on the ballot. When the election comes to pass, Seward had won the election
He gathered 165 electoral votes, beating Douglas’ 27, Bell’s 54, and Breckinridge’s 61.
Southern Secession
Enraged by the result, fire-eaters in the South immediately called for secession and Republicans ignored these calls as bluffs. On December 22, after several days of meeting, South Carolina seceded from the Union with a convention vote of 165 – 4. Within six weeks the breakup of the Union had begun
1861:
The Crittenden Amendments
The Crittenden Amendments were narrowly passed in the Senate and House on January 17th after much effort on the part of Seward (who supported it in OTL). Consisting of six Amendments it included the addition of a homestead act giving 125 acres to any citizen that farm it for four years, and the prohibition of slavery south of 30 degrees, unless the amendments were revoked. It also reversed the Supreme Court decision, Dred Scott v. Sandford. One point of contention was the removal of the original amendment that had not allowed Congress to change the amendments. After much wrangling, this was deemed unconstitutional by the Senate.
The Senator Stephen Douglas pointed out that even the Bill of Rights could be modified and changes, and that this would set a dangerous precedent.
Another proposed amendment would have outlawed secession, but this was deemed too radical.
As a result, there is no Confederate Convention in Montgomery and the states of the Deep South return to the Union beginning with Alabama and Mississippi.
This is vilified by many republicans, including Abraham Lincoln, and Seward was seen as a “traitor” for the South. Many of these Republicans, mostly former Free-Soilers repudiate the president and the nascent Republican Party split with the majority of the Republicans following Lincoln’s and Chase’s leadership
On the other hand, many Democrats who had no opinion about the question of slavery, and Southern Unionists were happy that the Union was preserved.
Secessionists and Fire-eaters in the South, especially, were gradually silenced as they could not rail against the slavery hating designs of Northern Free-Soilers such as Chase. Many more moderate papers in the South applauded the quick and timely actions of President Seward, who gained much popularity in the South, while losing the same amount in the North.
Most of the year continued quietly, without much fuss due to the stalemate in Congress between the Democrats and Republicans. One proposal that is put forth later in the year is a proposal for the colonization of free blacks to Liberia or another area. Passed by both houses, it was one of the only bills to do so during the year, and set aside 10 million dollars for the project. The 37th Congress is later renamed the “Sluggard’s Convention”.
The Monroe Doctrine
The Mexican Civil War continues apace as the year progresses. Napoleon III of France contemplates intervention, but is warned by President Seward that any action by the French would invoke the Monroe Doctrine. After Britain declined to support Napoleon’s actions, the French decided against the intervention in Mexico. Benito Juarez’ government is relieved and US is pleased at the establishment of a friendly power to the South. Taking a page from Napoleon Bonaparte’s book, Juarez confiscated a good deal of the Church’s wealth, and uses that to pay for the debt. This creates some powerful enemies within the church, but Juarez is able to overcome these obstacles, and his rule until his death in 1871 was peaceful and benevolent.
