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A better question is, "How does this happen?" Established in reaction to what the colonists saw as an oppressive colonial regime, both the Articles of Confederation and later Constitution sought to limit the power of government for fear that a powerful central authority would cause the same...

What were Roosevelt's views on Blaine?

In the War of 1812, the United States found an unlikely beacon in Dolley Madison. Although her husband's administration was tinged with controversy, Dolley inspired a strange sense of respect from most members of government and public. In December 1812, the American navy honoured its victory...

Unfortunately, polling in the months prior to Russia's invasion did not indicate any substantial support for independence or union with Russia within Crimea. The question of popular support is meaningless when looking at the 2014 referendum. The region was annexed because Putin wanted it...

After Marco Polo visited Kublai Khan, Kublai Khan asked for one hundred missionaries acquainted in the Seven Arts to teach Western customs to his court. Unfortunately, Marco Polo returned to Europe during the longest period of sede vacante in history, delaying the Khan's request. When the...

That's the issue. Isabella and Ferdinand had already tried every means of disqualifying Afonso and failed. There are no excuses to pull out because they have already been exhausted. The only reason Portugal, Castille, and Aragon did not unify under House Aviz is because Afonso died under...

Afonso, Prince of Portugal, was born in 1475 as the only son and heir of King John. In 1490, Afonso was married to Isabella, the heir of Isabella I of Castille and Ferdinand II of Aragon. The marriage of these two families created an interesting situation. If John, the only son of Ferdinand...

I wonder how authoritarian Olson can drive the US government before the moral panic subsides and people realise the ramifications of these security reforms.

Is Dorothy Day doing anything exciting in this timeline? To Day, business failed to provide the public with enough jobs at a decent wage, while the government failed to treat the public with dignity and respect that they deserved. In a 1944 editorial, she characterized the New Deal as "Cake and...

I imagine that as soon as news breaks, Congressmen are going to rush Washington DC and camp out near the Capitol until the recess ends. The consequences of NOT being present are too great to risk. Any ideas on who might appear on a special election ballot? Both parties have two months to find...

There are no limitations on who the House can elect as its Speaker, though I would expect the opposition to challenge the majority over it. If there is no President pro tempore, then the position goes to the Speaker. Question remains on whether either would get to elevate themselves to the...

That would put Allen Thurman, a Democrat and passionate opponent of black emancipation, into the Presidency. I doubt the Republicans would be willing to accept him as Commander-in-Chief, though the Democrats could certainly try to create chaos. The situation can become more problematic through...

Congress is not in session and there is no one to call them into session. Even if it could be convened early, that still leaves the office vacant until enough Congressmen arrive to form quorum.

The Presidential Succession Act of 1792 was the first piece of legislation that extended the US Presidential Line of Succession beyond the Vice Presidency. Section 9 declared that, in the event of the removal, resignation, or death of both the President and Vice President, the President pro...

It's an issue of semantics, but wouldn't Austria-Hungary be known as Austria-Hungary-Bosnia now? If Russia is being internationally shamed, I imagine that's going to cause some issues with the Tsar's popularity, both in the general public and his own government. It only complicates matters...

9 August 1917: With tensions mounting, Romania and Austria begin bilateral talks over their secret 1883 alliance. Ferdinand I of Romania indicates his willingness to honor the agreement, but pushes the issue of Transylvania. Austria promises to revisit Romania's claim in return for support. 11...

12 April 1917: Seeing an opportunity to cut down the Hapsburgs and remove an obstacle to Pan-Slavism, the Russian government begins secret negotiations to support Hungary with military advisers and aid in the event of conflict. 1 July 1917: In a saber-rattling speech, Emperor Franz II of...

Any further interest?

21 November 1916: Franz Josef, Emperor of Austria and King of Hungary dies in his sleep in Vienna. He is succeeded by his nephew, Archduke Franz Ferdinand. 1 December 1916: Franz Ferdinand is crowned in Vienna as Emperor Franz II of Austria. His unpopularity in Hungary and desire for a Triple...

There's several funny stories about Hamilton's interactions with the general public. In 1795, the Democratic-Republicans organize a protest against the Jay Treaty near Federal Hall. Trying to disperse the rally, Hamilton erects a platform and delivers a speech telling the public that they have...