WI/AHC: Aaron Burr's "Empire of the West" Becomes a Reality?

[Erwin the German]

Yeah, so as with many things a recent article on Cracked got me thinking about this concept, but I'm very much a neophyte on this period of history, so I put the question to you guys: was Aaron Burr's conspiracy to create an independent nation in the west (possible capital in New Orleans, possibly incorporating parts of Mexico) ever viable?

Here's some links:
http://fas.org/irp/ops/ci/docs/ci1/ch1d.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burr_conspiracy

At first blush I'd say probably not - the whole thing sounds like a fiasco just waiting to happen - but, and here's where the challenge comes in, supposing the British DID provide support and Burr and Wilkinson DID manage to raise an army and conquer some territory, what would have happened from there?

Oh, and if there's any story threads exploring this concept some links would be well appreciated.

 

[jahenders]

I think it's only reasonable in a balkanized US scenario -- where the states can't settle on a constitution and, after a series of conflicts, some break away from the weak articles of confederation and form their own nations.

Yeah, so as with many things a recent article on Cracked got me thinking about this concept, but I'm very much a neophyte on this period of history, so I put the question to you guys: was Aaron Burr's conspiracy to create an independent nation in the west (possible capital in New Orleans, possibly incorporating parts of Mexico) ever viable?

Here's some links:
http://fas.org/irp/ops/ci/docs/ci1/ch1d.htm
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burr_conspiracy

At first blush I'd say probably not - the whole thing sounds like a fiasco just waiting to happen - but, and here's where the challenge comes in, supposing the British DID provide support and Burr and Wilkinson DID manage to raise an army and conquer some territory, what would have happened from there?

Oh, and if there's any story threads exploring this concept some links would be well appreciated.

 

[Zorqal]

I think it's only reasonable in a balkanized US scenario -- where the states can't settle on a constitution and, after a series of conflicts, some break away from the weak articles of confederation and form their own nations.

Yeah I agree.