A 19th century Clinton (or two...)

Very Intriguing...Is this based on any events that took place in Michigan in OTL or is this something u just felt as if it would arise due to the butterfiles of the TL?

I thought that everyone knew about the Toledo War! ;) Interesting alternate twist to it in this TL (though a very sad one).
 
Of Pashas, Tsars, and Hellenes or South Eastern Europe in the early 19th century
As the Napoleonic Wars died down in Eastern Europe and the Congress of Vienna devolved into a stalemate, the eyes of Europe began to turn towards the Ottoman Empire. Ever since it’s defeat at Vienna in 1683 the once almighty Ottoman Empire had entered a period of stagnation characterized by numerous failed reforms. It was hoped that as the 19th century dawned some of these reforms would begin to take root and end the period of stagnation. However, unfortunately for the Ottomans, things needed to get worse before they could get better.

Events began to take shape in the European territories of the Ottoman Empire that would lead to one of its most grievous defeats. Inspired by the events of the French Revolution numerous Greek revolutionaries began to meet together forming the Filiki Eteria or “Society of Friends”. Funded by numerous wealthy Greek expatriates, the society moved aggressively to lay the foundation for a Greek Revolution to secure for themselves an independent homeland with the hopes of restoring the Byzantine Empire.

With such ambitious goals the Filiki Eteria grew rapidly and soon had members in every area of prominent Greek Settlement. With numbers and capital growing rapidly plans were laid for 3 mass uprisings with the intent of stripping the stagnating Ottoman Empire of her European territories. Furthermore, efforts to gain Russian support proved successful, providing the rebels with the backing of a strong foreign power (23).

Things began to fall into place around 1821 as most of Europe was distracted by the aftermath of revolts and revolutions in both Spain and Naples and the Ottoman Empire was caught in a war with not only Persia but several territorial governors known as Pashas who opposed the centralizing tendencies of the new Sultan Mahmud II. So with the Ottoman Empire engaged in not only a foreign conflict to the east, but also a quasi civil war, the Filiki Eteria set their plan into motion sending a few hundred revolutionaries into the Danubian Principalities to set off one of their three planned revolutions.

Within a few weeks the Greek Revolutionaries had aroused a considerable degree of support amongst the local populations of both Wallachia and Moldavia. Having amassed a considerable force the rebels marched on Braila in an attempt to prevent the Ottoman Armies from entering the newly independent Principalities. Meanwhile other revolts occurred in the Peloponnesian Peninsula and in Central Greece against Ottoman control. Despite initial Ottoman victories in all three regions, none of the victories in 1821 were enough to quash the revolutionary spirit that had arisen.

As 1821 drew to a close things went from bad to worse for the Ottomans as the state of civil war escalated with the failed assassination of Ali Pasha of Tepelen (24) and the mobilization of his forces against those of the Sultan in an attempt to carve out an independent kingdom for himself from the Ottoman Empire’s ruins. Furthermore, having observed the situation in the Ottoman Empire and in Europe, Tsar Alexander I decided to intervene declaring war on the Ottoman Empire in support of the Greek and Danubian rebels and moving his armies into South Eastern Europe and The Caucasian Front beginning the Russo-Turkish war of 1822-24.

Tsar Alexander’s intervention was regarded with a great deal of interest by both Britain and France which had seen the phenomenon of Philhellenism arise amongst many of their people. Caught in a bind, they found themselves unable to campaign against the Greeks but yet still wary of Russian expansion. So Britain and France began to mobilize their forces in support of the Greeks while signing a secret agreement opposing Russian moves in the region.

With the Great Powers now actively intervening on the side of the Greek Revolutionaries, the Ottoman Empire found itself in a tough situation. Convinced by British and French diplomats to cut their losses the Sultan reluctantly came to the negotiating table in 1824 and signed the Treaty of Adrianople. The treaty ceded vast areas to Russia including much of the east coast of the Black Sea and the mouth of the Danube. The treaty also recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Romania, a Russian satellite state set up during the war out of the Danubian Principalities and some Ottoman Territory. Finally the Treaty recognized the independence of the Kingdom of Greece.

With the signing of the Treaty of Adrianople all eyes now turned to the nascent kingdom of Greece which had still yet to select a monarch. Despite the strength of the Russian faction, superior manoeuvring by the British and French factions saw to it that their candidate Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfield was selected to become King Leopold I of Greece. This was due mostly to the offer of the Ionian Islands by British PM Spencer Percival as an incentive and for promises of further support in the days to come.
Having suffered such a grievous defeat Sultan Mahmud II turned his eyes to saving what was left of his kingdom. Military reforms were aggressively pursued with the Janissary class devastated from the war being utterly destroyed and a “New Model Army” being formed. This “New Model Army” would be used to great effect as the Sultan’s forces began to move against those under allegiance to the Pashas. However these centralizing tendencies would bring the recovering Ottoman Empire into conflict with one of the most powerful Pasha’s Mohammed Ali of Egypt leading to a conflict that would see the “Eastern Question” as it had become known grow even more complicated.

Following the success of the Greek War of Independence, the issue of the decaying Ottoman Empire became critical to European politics. With Tsarist Russia under Alexander I emerging as the biggest winner from the conflict, things began to get worse as Russia began to bring the flagging Ottoman Empire into her sphere of influence. These moves would attract the attention of the British and French Empires, both of whom were wary of Russia gaining so much influence in the Eastern Mediterranean. However as the years progressed British involvement would begin to decrease as she became increasingly concerned with domestic affairs leading up to and including the abortive English Revolution.

With Great Britain distracted by domestic problems the stage was set for one of the defining events in Middle Eastern History. Devoid of the moderation brought by British influence the terse situation present within the Middle East began to quickly spiral towards armed conflict. Having recovered a great deal from the disastrous defeat of the Greek Rebellion and the Simultaneous Russo-Turkish War, the Ottoman Empire had more or less succeeded in accomplishing a great number of reforms. Not only were the Army and Navy rebuilt, but the legal system was streamlined considerably and the government centralized as many of the Territorial viceroys or “Pashas” were brought under the direct control of the Sultan once more. However throughout all the reforms of the 1820’s, Sultan Mahmud II had skirted the issue of dealing with the most powerful Pasha, Mohammed Ali, the extremely powerful and all but independent viceroy of Egypt and the Ottoman Empire’s African territories.

This avoidance was due to a pair of factors, one being Ali’s considerable power and political sway not only within the Empire but in Egypt as well, and the other being the fact that the Kingdom of France saw Ali as a preferable candidate to lead the Ottoman Empire. This support would become more blatant as the 1820’s proceeded and the divide deepened between the Sultan and Ali, as would Russian support for the Sultan. These factors would eventually come to a head in 1834 as the Sultan moved to enforce his suzerainty over the contested Syrian peninsula. What started as a war of words quickly escalated and before long both Egypt and the Ottoman Empire were mobilizing troops with their European allies of France and Russia respectively throwing in their lots and joining the fray.

Though initially an internal conflict within the Ottoman Empire, the “Egyptian War” as it became known quickly escalated as the Bourbon Monarchy under Charles X committed large numbers of men and ships to aid their Egyptian allies as a show of force intended to boost popularity (and also as it would turn out to gain possession of Algeria). The arrival of the French Fleet and the army it carried drastically changed the nature of the Egyptian War as the Ottoman Army, reformed as it may be, was unable to hold its own against the same army it had modelled itself after. As a result, Sultan Mahmud II was forced to call upon his ally Alexander I (25) to come to his aid and commit troops of his own. So Russian joined Ottoman as French joined Egyptian and for 3 years the two factions fought it out across the Holy Land.

As 1837 dawned it became clear to both factions that a stalemate had been reached. Despite their initial failings, the Russo-Turkish armies had come together hand held their own against their once superior Franco-Egyptian counterparts. With neither side able to gain the upper hand, a desperate search for foreign allies was conducted with Greece soon becoming the focal point of all negotiations. The French hoped that a Greek offensive would throw the Russo-Turkish alliance off enough to allow for a breakthrough in the Holy Land, while the Russians hoped that the Greek navy would serve to give their alliance’s battered fleet enough strength to challenge the Franco-Egyptian naval superiority in the Eastern Mediterranean.

In the end, Greece, despite the preference of her monarch Leopold I chose to intervene on the Russo-Turkish side in exchange for several Ionian Islands including Rhodes as well as the Island of Crete. The entrance of the Kingdom of Greece into the fray drastically changed things for the Franco-Egyptian alliance. Gone were the ambitions of setting Mohammed Ali’s family up as Sultan of the Ottoman Empire. Independence would have to suffice for now and so both sides came to the negotiating tables in 1838. Egypt would gain her independence from the Ottoman Empire taking the latter’s African territories with her. The Ottoman Empire would retain control of much of Greater Syria losing only Lebanon and the Holy Land to the Franco-Ottoman Alliance. Those regions would become International zones occupied by Egypt but administered by France and Russia. Greece meanwhile in addition to receiving several Ionian Islands would receive the Island of Crete in exchange for allowing the French to establish a naval base on the island. Yet though the Treaty of Nicosia would bring about an end to the bloody 4 year Egyptian War it’s signing would fail to solve the nefarious “Eastern Question” which would continue to plague Europe for years to come.

23: No Congress of Vienna means there’s no Metternich to talk Alexander I out of intervening in the Greek Rebellion. As a result he does so earlier leading to a slightly larger Kingdom of Greece declare independence earlier. It also leads to an earlier formation of Romania out of the Danubian Principalities.
24: He avoids assassination in TTL and openly rebels against the Sultan making matters worse for the Ottomans and inadvertently aiding the Greek Revolutionaries
25:Tsar Alexander I lives longer in TTL avoiding his mysterious death in 1825 and living another 17 years until the ripe old age of 65.
 
“Prepare for Unforeseen Consequences”: Europe at a Glance

Despite starting with a relatively minor American political POD, “The Butterfly Effect” as it were has certainly done it’s work in changing the face of the world of “A 19th century Clinton”. So just as the flapping of a butterfly’s wings in Samoa may cause a tornado in Kansas so too did the election of George Clinton as 4th President of the United States cause numerous unforeseen consequences across the Atlantic and by extension across the world.

The first noticeable occurrence of this “Butterfly Effect” would occur in 1812 when British Prime Minister Spencer Percival survives his attempted assassination. He would go on to serve under the healthier George IV and go down as one of the longest serving British PM’s of all time. Percival’s survival is however far from the only instance of this “Butterfly Effect” taking place. Indeed as has been already mentioned numerous other instances of this effect have been seen in previous instalments. The largest of which being the non-existence of a “100 Days” campaign due to the suicide of none other than Napoleon Bonaparte in 1814, this alone leads to Europe becoming a vastly different place than it was in Our Timeline.

Many of these “Butterfly Effects” have already been examined. The following instalment will focus on a number of “Unforeseen Consequences” that have been hinted at so far but have yet to be fleshed out focusing on the European continent. Further instalments will examine similar occurrences across the world and continue to flesh out the ever changing world of “A 19th century Clinton”.

France
It is an understatement to say that Napoleon’s suicide in 1814 had its greatest effect on the nation of France. Without the “100 Days” the Restored Bourbon Monarchy under Louis XVIII is much more stable (although Bonapartists continue to cause trouble rallying behind Napoleon’s Brothers). As a result the Bourbon Monarchy is far more stable and is able to cope better with the changing nature of France during this time. Furthermore come 1820, Charles duc de Berry, the youngest son of future King Charles X, is not assassinated thereby preventing the rise of the Ultra Royalist faction and inadvertently “butterflying” away the July Revolution of the 1830’s. Without the assassination of his son scarring his memory, Charles X takes the throne of France in 1825 a very different man. Without the traumatizing death of his son, Charles X oversees France transition more and more towards becoming a constitutional monarchy with the events of the abortive English Revolution providing impetus to give in to the Liberal opposition and allow for serious reforms. As a result Elie duc Decazes becomes a famous French PM as he oversees the transition of Bourbon France towards a more democratic society.

Kings of the Restored Bourbon Monarchy
Louis XVIII 1814-1824
Charles X 1824-1836
Louis XIX 1836-1844
Henry V 1844-????

Portugal
Despite being influenced by previously mentioned “Butterfly Effects” Portugal’s altered fate has far more to do with the actual POD of George Clinton being elected POTUS in 1808. Due to Clinton’s election and the avoidance of the war of 1812, the USA goes to war with Spain in 1813. This war leads to an earlier republican uprising in Spain, the execution of Ferdinand VII and the crowning of the king’s brother Carlos as Carlos V in 1820. With the extremely conservative Carlos V sitting comfortably on the throne in Spain, Miguel’s initial conservative rising against his father Joao VI in 1823 gains the recognition of not only Spain but of Great Britain as well. With foreign recognition, Miguel goes on to consolidate his throne in Portugal resisting attempts by his father, and later his brother to regain the throne. Unfortunately for Miguel this leads to the Kingdom of Brazil gaining defacto independence as well as many of Portugal’s remaining colonial possessions.

Italian Peninsula
The early 19th century would see the drive for Italian Unification begin in earnest with the formation of the Carbonari, a series of revolutionary cells intent on unifying the Italian Peninsula. The activities of the Carbonari would define this period of Italian history as several revolts occurred across the peninsula due to their interference. Ironically, the first, known simply as “The Neapolitan War” would see their initial enemy, Bonapartist Joachim Murat, attempt to maintain his throne in Naples against the ambitions of Ferdinand IV and his foreign supporters of Austria and Great Britain (26). However Murat’s support would be far from widespread forcing him to flee Naples in 1815 to Corsica where he would first make contact with the Carbonari. Murat would continue to play a role in Italian history leading a pair of insurrections in the Two Sicilies, both of which failed. Further Revolutions would continue across the peninsula throughout the 1820’s laying the groundwork for further conflict in the decades to come.

Scandinavia
Northern Europe would escape relatively unscathed by the Butterfly effect as much of what went on in OTL occurred in this Timeline as well, for all intents and purposes very little changed in regards to Scandinavia and Northern Europe.

The Netherlands
The History of the United Kingdom of the Netherlands would be quite different in this TL from OTL. Due to the breakdown of the Congress of Vienna, Prussia remains in control of Belgium. This coupled with the outbreak of hostilities between the Russo-Prussian Alliance and Austria and her allies leads the Netherlands under William I to intervene on the Austrian side with the hopes of regaining territory in Germany and more importantly the Southern Netherlands. However the expected revolts in the Southern Netherlands fail to materialize leading to the Dutch Armies being decisively defeated by their superior Prussian adversaries. With their intervention a failure, the Netherlands was forced to humiliatingly withdraw from the conflict paying an indemnity on top of the treasure expended during the short conflict. Having suffered such a humiliating defeat, the credibility of William I’s absolutist monarchy takes a serious hit leading to a constitutional revolt in the Dutch Parliament. Due to his failure to keep the Netherlands neutral, William I is forced to resign in favour of his son who takes the throne as William II and is reduced to little more than a figurehead with the Prime Minister taking the reins of ruling the country from then on.

Furthermore, the duchy of Luxembourg does not enter into a personal union with Denmark and is instead incorporated into the German confederation under the Kingdom of Prussia’s guidance.

26:Murat's regime in Naples lasts longer than OTL due to no 100 days however foreign distaste for his regime leads to his eventual deposition and a slightly later Neopolitan War.
 
The Second War of Hapsburg Dissolution

For numerous centuries prior to the 19th, the Hapsburg dominions had been one of the mightiest powers to grace the face of Europe. A royal family, who at one time, controlled most of Europe, the actions of the Hapsburg family defined European history for centuries. It was members of that household that oversaw Europe’s disastrous religious wars while at the same time serving as a shield, protecting it’s “subjects” from the onslaught of the Ottoman Empire. However, as grand as its glory days may have been, by the late 19th century, the Hapsburg Domains now known as the Austro-Hungarian Empire, had entered a period of decline.

Having been reduced to a second rate power during the Napoleonic Wars, the Austro-Hungarian Empire was ill-equipped to deal with the rising tide of nationalism emerging throughout Europe. An attempt to forge a diplomatic alliance between the major powers of Europe in the aftermath of the Napoleonic Wars known as the Congress of Vienna would fail miserably as a Russo-Prussian alliance forced an end to the Congress and began to create a new order from amidst the chaos that was Europe. Indeed, many historians point to the failing of the Congress of Vienna as the beginning of the end for the plight of the Hapsburg family. Many have argued that had they succeeded in establishing a “Congress of Europe” Austria-Hungary may have very well survived the trying ordeals of the 19th century.

However the Congress of Vienna failed, and unbeknownst to them, any hope the Hapsburgs had of consolidating their empire vanished in the flames of the Polish/Saxon War or the First War of Hapsburg Dissolution as some have called it. With her humiliating defeat at the hands of the Russo-Prussian Alliance following the War’s conclusion, Austria-Hungary’s second rate power status was cemented. Her place as head of the “German Confederation” was taken by the usurper Kingdom of Prussia, while Russia carved off a tantalizing morsel in Austrian Poland. Furthermore, following the peace, she found herself shackled with a monarchy that refused to adapt to the changing situation it found itself in. The stage was set for the end of one of the most powerful empires in the history of the world.

As the dust settled from the Polish/Saxon War, the Austro-Hungarian Empire remained trapped in the past. Though reforms were initially pursued, they fell far short of what was needed to keep the patchwork empire together, thus inadvertently leading to its eventual demise. Furthermore, Austria would remain neutral throughout the tensions of the 1820’s and 30’s regarding the dreaded “Eastern Question”. Though an attempt was made to see the Ottoman Empire partitioned, no fruit came of it as the powers of Europe saw fit that the Ottoman Empire be left intact, at least for the time being. Without foreign support, and with her own power fading fast, the Hapsburgs were forced to watch from the sidelines while the world they had in a sense, created, changed before their very eyes.

Some within the Hapsburg domains were optimistic, hoping that the Empire’s neutrality would allow it to reform in order to withstand the coming onslaught. However, any reforms embarked upon would be far too little, far too late. Tensions were rising across the empire as the conservative government refused to cave to the demands of the Liberals. Furthermore nationalist sentiment was rising both in the east with the creation of the Russian satellite state of Romania, and in the west with Italian rebels chomping at the bit to unify the Italian Peninsula. By 1838 the stage was set for the dissolution of one of the mightiest empires the world has ever known.

Out of the pair of Nationalist Rebellions that brought about an end to the Hapsburg Empire, it would be the risings in the east that would prove to be the most decisive. Indeed the “Eastern Risings” would see many of the Empire’s prominent ethnic groups take up arms at the behest of agitating foreign empires and carve their own nations out of the flagging carcass that was the Austro-Hungarian Empire. The “Eastern Risings” as they were known would have their roots in the formation of Romania following the conclusion of the Russo-Turkish War in 1824. Eager to join their emancipated brethren in what was formerly Wallachia and Moldavia, Romanian nationalist groups sprang up all over Austrian Transylvania. These nationalist agitators would cause significant problems as they began to clash with the Hungarian and German residents of the region. Things would be further complicated when in 1825 the Hungarian Diet was reconvened to deal with financial matters, needless to say, it quickly found itself dealing with slightly more than “financial matters”.

The eventual actions of the Hungarian Diet would lead to rising nationalist sentiment throughout the Eastern Portion of the Hapsburg Empire. This nationalist sentiment, though ignored by and large by the Francis I and his successor Ferdinand, convinced the Kingdoms of Prussia and Russia that the Austro-Hungarian Empire was nearing its end. There was no use in prolonging its life; all that was left was to ensure that the partition was as favourable as possible. Soon both Empires began illicitly funding and aiding these nationalist groups in the hopes that the states they would eventually create
would fall under their respective spheres of influence.

By 1838 things had finally begun to reach a head, as Prussian supplied Carbonari groups in Italy began to rise up all along the Italian Peninsula, Eastern nationalist groups took this as their chance to free themselves from Hapsburg oppression. Romanian, Croatian, Czech, Slavs, and Slovak risings were matched by the Hungarian Diet declaring independence. Within a matter of weeks the Hapsburg Empire as it once was, was no more.

Romania’s entry into the war in June of 1838 would add another aspect to the conflict as it would bring in both Prussia and Imperial Russia, on the sides of their respective revolutionaries. Though no conflict would occur in 1838, the stage was set for an eventual clash of the titans later on. In the meantime Prussian supplied and trained Hungarians, Czechs, and Italians would attempt to enforce their sovereignty over much of the Hapsburg lands while Russian supplied and aided Croatians, Slovaks, Slavs, and Romanians would attempt to assert their independence. This involvement of foreign powers would effectively end all realistic hopes of the Hapsburg domain emerging from the conflict intact.

The advent of foreign intervention would also lead to a number of Liberal Revolutions across the Hapsburg core lands of Austria as Germans, dissatisfied with the inept lack of action and their bumbling Emperor rallied behind the infamous Klemens von Metternich to bring an end to the death throes of Empire. Faced with liberal revolts at home, and nationalist ones abroad, Ferdinand I the final ruling Hapsburg would abdicate in late 1838. He would be replaced by his nephew, the eight year old Franz-Joseph who would rule as a figurehead with the real power laying in a council of Liberal ministers. It would be they, under the guidance of the infamous Metternich who would oversee the end of Austria Hungary and the beginnings of a new order for Europe.

However the transition would be far from painless...
 
The Birth of the American Trans-Continental Railway

It is arguable that one of the most defining features of early America was the vaunted trans-continental railway. In the words of President Andrew Jackson the railway would serve as “A belt of iron, to gird our mighty republic and preserve its insoluble integrity.” However, ironically the railway would be designed by none other than an Englishman, be funded primarily by Federalists, and be finally completed during the Presidency of Winfield Scott. Once completed, the railway, known as “The Trans-Continental” or “The Main Line” or “The Trevithick Line” would be able to take you (albeit slowly) from Boston to Adamstown(27) in California.

Though American Patriots would cite the beginnings of the Trans-Continental Railway in the writings of Arthur Logan (28), indeed it began with the most fortunate meeting of James Davies, an American merchant in South America and renowned British inventor Richard Trevithick. Prior to his move to America, Trevithick had worked extensively within England and had been established as a leading innovator in Locomotive technology as well as the burgeoning Industrial revolution.

However upon meeting James Davies (29), Trevithick had hardly a penny to his name having spent the past few years experimenting with Steam Engines in South America and acting as a mining engineer. However with the continent embroiled in the midst of war an insurrection, Trevithick found himself faced with failure at every turn(30). Moreover, Trevithick found himself constantly under criticism that he was neglecting his family still in Cornwall.

By 1819, Trevithick’s tenure in South America was nearing its completion. Having made the long journey across the continent from Peru to the city of Cartagena in Columbia, Trevithick was almost ready to return to England. However before he could board a ship to do so, he came into contact with James Davies. Davies, having read Arthur Logan’s proposals for a “Trans-Continental Railway” and having heard of Trevithick’s work was honoured to meet the famous inventor. What started as idle discussion soon blossomed and before long, Trevithick was boarded a ship for the newly expanded United States of America(31) .

Arriving in 1820 Trevithick soon received a grant to work on improving railway technology from the Federal government at the behest of then President DeWitt Clinton (32). This grant would lead Trevithick to adopt the infantile republic as his own and “put down roots” as it were. For the next few decades, Trevithick and his successors would ensure that the United States of America would be at the forefront of Railway technology.

Fascinated by the prospect of a Trans-Continental Railway Trevithick began to work on improving his 1808 Locomotive to fit the newfound needs of his adoptive home. His work would attract the attentions of several prominent New England industrialists and before long, railways were being constructed across New England to haul goods and passengers to and fro. Moreover a Federal Commission saw to it that a route was cleared across the continent in preparation for the railroad to be. Despite the presence of such fearsome Indian bands such as the Apache, Commanche, and Navaho, the diplomatic skill of Sam Houston would see to it that the way was prepared for the future Trans-Continental Railway.

Though work on the railway would stall during the early years of the Jackson administration, it would be revived later on in Jackson’s second term as the various small rail lines across the eastern seaboard were linked together to form the Trans-Continental Line. Work would continue throughout the rest of Jackson’s administration as well as Sam Houston’s although the later period was wracked with corruption and delays due to the Canadian War. Work on the Railroad would reach its final phase under the administration of Winfield Scott, a Federalist who cracked down on the corruption of the Houston years and allocated a large amount of Federal Funds to the project with the goal of completing the road by 1848.

And complete it by 1848 they would, the final spike being driven at the aptly named town of “Last Spike” in the newly created New Mexico Territory (the remainder of the California Territory after the admission of California to the Union in 1847). Scott would drive the last spike as one of the final acts of his term and in doing so link the vast territories together in one inseparable union. Upon its completion the Transcontinental Railway would stretch from Boston in Massachuesetts down the Eastern Seaboard to Atlanta Georgia. From there it would turn west and head to New Orleans where it would continue across Texas and New Mexico to the Southern Californian Port of Adamstown.

A modern day marvel, the Trans-Continental Railway would remain unparalleled for quite sometime until the completion of the larger Trans-Siberian Railway by Imperial Russia. It’s creation would lead to massive advances in rail and industrial technology and see to it that America took a prominent lead in what was being referred to as the Industrial Revolution. Unfortunately, many of its progenitors would not live to see its construction. Presidents Clinton, Adams, and Jackson, would all predecease the railway by mere months though their progeny would be present at the driving of the last Spike.

Trevithick himself would predecease the line by over a decade, yet his decisive contribution would see to it that the line held his name unofficially for decades before being officially renamed in the early days of the 20th century. However Trevithick would leave a greater mark on the United States than the railway. His work during the Canadian War would see the beginning of the “Iron Battery” and usher in a new era of warfare (33). Furthermore, his family would make the journey across the Atlantic in 1822 and would set up shop in America becoming prominent industrialists during the first half of the 19th century. In fact Trevithick’s grandchild, Richard Trevithick III would eventually rise to the office of Vice President in the early 20th century....

27:OTL Los Angeles, renamed in TTL due to an earlier takeover of California (less inclination to keep Spanish names) and the staunch federalist loyalties of those who settled in said area.
28:Fictional Character, never rose to prominence in OTL
29:Again, Fictional Character
30:Much of Trevithick's life up until 1819 mirrors OTL almost exactly
31:In OTL he returned to Britain, however the prospects of a Trans-Continental railway lead him to America in TTL.
32:A similiar request was denied Trevithick in OTL Britain, however Clinton being a Federalist man of vision (Erie Canal) gives it to him.
33:Ironclads, more to come on that later.
 

HueyLong

Banned
So Brazil gains other Portuguese possessions (I'm looking at Angola)?

Very interesting and they tried something similar in OTL. That was for the purpose of the slave trade which could get very nasty in diplomacy for the (Monarchy?) in Brazil.
 
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