A New Dawn Rising: What if America stuck by her ideals?

Chapter Seventeen: The Second Cabinet

Chapter Seventeen: The Second Cabinet​

The term "cabinet" began to be applied to the heads of the executive branch departments late in Washington's first term, and Washington relied on his cabinet as an advisory council. While the Constitution made it clear that the persons appointed to lead these agencies had to answer to the president, it was silent on termination of cabinet appointments. When Jefferson became president, there was no precedent regarding the continued service of the previous president's top officials. Jefferson retained most of Washington’s cabinet for he had worked and trusted them.

Secretary of the Treasury: Alexander Hamilton/ Oliver Wolcott Jr. - Jefferson wanted to retain the booming economy from Washington so he kept Hamilton on as Secretary of treasury. Hamilton would continue in his role, following on from his polices. Hamilton however wanted to spend time with his family and needed a break from the stress. Hamilton would step down from his role and Jefferson selected Oliver Wolcott Jr. to replace him and continue Hamilton’s policy.

Secretary of War: Benedict Arnold- Arnold would remain as the secretary of war throughout Jefferson’s time in office. Arnold continued the expanding of the armed forces while also modernising it. Arnold had not yet had the time to showcase his new army in a battle properly but tensions in Haiti were mounting and Arnold prepared the new army for deployment.

Secretary of State: James Madison- On assuming the presidency, Jefferson placed his friend James Madison in charge of the state department. Madison had come to see France as a close ally but began to detest Spain. Madison, over his time with Hamilton and Jefferson, had become anti-slavery and took on the idea of America being the chain breakers. Spain still had slavery in its empire including Florida and Madison saw it as disgusting. He would begin efforts to distance America from Spain sparking tensions.

Secretary of home development: Marc Isambard Brunel: Marc Isambard Brunel was not American but he was French. In 1794, Washington made it legal for French immigrants to work in government as long as they renounced their French citizenship. Born in France, Brunel had fled to the United States during the French Revolution. In 1796, he was appointed Chief Engineer of New York City. Now fully an American citizen, he was appointed Secretary of home development. The office was expanded to include internal infrastructure and federal buildings.

Secretary of the Navy:
Benjamin Stoddert- Stoddert would take over as the head of the navy department for Jefferson wanted a big ambitious navy. Stoddert concerned himself not only with the Navy's daily administration and operations, but also with the service's future strength. He established the three navy yards and expanded three more. During his time in office, the size of the navy reached a new height with labours and navy men being ferried in by the new federal roads to port towns and cities.​
 
Chapter Eighteen: Problems with Great Britain

Chapter Eighteen: Problems with Great Britain​

After bringing back its fleet to the home isles and repairing It, Great Britain was itching for revenge against France for its involvement in the American independence war. In 1796, the British joined Austria against the French. Upon going to war against France, the British Royal Navy began intercepting ships of neutral countries bound for French ports. The French imported large amounts of American foodstuffs, and the British hoped to starve the French into defeat by intercepting these shipments. The British hoped to make life harder for the American’s while also stretching the French fleet further.

In November 1798, the British government widened the scope of these seizures to include any neutral ships trading with the French West Indies, including those flying the American flag. Americans were outraged, and angry protests erupted in several cities. Many in Congress demanded a declaration of war, but Secretary of state James Madison instead called for strong economic retaliation, including an embargo on all trade with Britain. Congress responded to these "outrages" by passing a 30-day embargo on all British shipping, foreign and domestic, in American harbours. The move did not stop the British however who continued their attacks. Worsening relations sand increasing tension between America and Great Britain.​
 
Chapter Nineteen: Move to Washington DC

Chapter Nineteen: Move to Washington DC​

In 1790, Congress had set the site of permanent national capital along the Potomac River after an endless debate. December 1800 was set as the deadline for completion of government buildings in the new capital. The Act also settled the temporary capital in Philadelphia as of 1791. Congress adjourned its last meeting in Philadelphia on May 15, 1800, and the city officially ceased to be the nation's seat of government as of June 11. Secretary of home development Marc Isambard Brunel and Secretary of state James Madison had already been living in in the unfinished capital since 1799. Marc Isambard Brunel was often seen outside in the streets hurrying workers along.
In June 1800, Thomas Jefferson made his first official visit as president to Washington. Despite the fact some public buildings were behind in construction most buildings had already been completed or nearly completed. The north (Senate) wing of the Capitol was nearly completed, as was the White House. The Secretary of state building (named The Jefferson Building) and the treasury building were also completed. With the Secretary of the navy building and home development nearly finished. The president moved into the White House on November 1. The Senate of the 6th Congress met for the first time in the Capitol building on November 17, 1800. On November 22, Jeffrson delivered his fourth State of the Union Address to a joint session of Congress in the Senate chamber.​
 
Chapter Twenty: The Hattian Problem

Chapter Twenty: The Hattian Problem​

France had received the western third of the island from Spain in 1697 and subsequently named it Saint-Domingue, the French equivalent of Santo Domingo, the Spanish colony on Hispaniola. The French set about creating sugar and coffee plantations, worked by vast numbers of slaves imported from Africa, and Saint-Domingue grew to become their richest colonial possession. One-third of newly imported Africans died within a few years. Many slaves died from diseases such as smallpox and typhoid fever. The colony's environment also suffered, as forests were cleared to make way for plantations and the land was overworked so as to extract maximum profit for French plantation owners.

Political leaders in the United States, which was a new republic itself, reacted with disgust, providing aid to enable the slaves to put down the revolt. This caused tension with France as France still saw the island as their own. Toussaint Louverture was a Haitian general and the most prominent leader of the Haitian Revolution. During his life, Louverture first fought against the French, then for them, and then finally against France again for the cause of Haitian independence. He began open talks with America.

France was not ready to budge and Madison was eager to help Louverture rid the country of slavery. John Adams and his son john Quincy Adams where sent to France to begun talks. America and France would come closer to the war then they ever would be in 1802 as French and American ships clashed of the coast of Haiti. Jefferson was prepared for war and so to was the army. At the eleventh hour a deal was presented. For less than 1 million dollars, Haiti would be sold to america. The slavers however would not budge despite coming under the Jurisdiction of America.

Jefferson deployed American troops who in a one-year struggle from 1803 to 1804. American marines landed in Haiti to aid the slaves. Eventuately the marines would win, those who refused to give up where soon imprisoned. The American portion of Haiti would become a territory of the united states, it was not freedom but slavery was gone. Toussaint Louverture became leader of the island along with General Andrew Jackson. Louverture would be the first African-American leader of an American owned territory. The move soured relations between Spain and its two allies, fearing a free state so close to their colonies would cause problems. It would cause tensions that would only continue to grow.

Before the election of 1804, Jefferson strongly felt the need for a national military university that could produce a competent officer engineering corps that would not have to rely on foreign sources for top grade engineers. Jefferson signed the Military Peace Establishment Act on September 16, 1804, thus founding the United States Military Academy at West Point. The Act documented in 29 sections a new set of laws and limits for the military. Congress also approved an amendment to the United States Constitution providing a new procedure for electing the president and vice president, and submitted it to the state legislatures for ratification in December 1804. The Twelfth Amendment was ratified by the requisite number of states (then 13) to become part of the Constitution in June 1804 after his term was over.​
 
Chapter Twenty-One: Native American relations

Chapter Twenty-One: Native American relations​

In keeping with his Enlightenment thinking, President Jefferson adopted an assimilation policy towards American Indians known as his "civilization program" which included securing peaceful U.S.–Indian treaty alliances and encouraging agriculture. Jefferson advocated large parcels of land be given over to the native Americans to live in and protect, these eventually would become known as national parks. Various tribes accepted Jefferson's policies, including the Shawnees led by Black Hoof and the Creek. Jefferson dreamed of a transcontinental nation, and he became increasingly sceptical of assimilation efforts.

It was this scepticism that allowed the democratic-republican party to promote one America of native and new born. They promoted the idea of them working together to tame the land, with America granting native Americans land to live on, to be free and to share their culture. The democratic-republican party also began preaching against war, a country that had seen nothing but an increased army and navy with America dipping its fingers into more and more conflicts. Despite their popularity, some of their older polices were beginning to return to haunt them.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Two: Election of 1804

Chapter Twenty-Two: Election of 1804​

Though there was nothing in law saying he couldent but Jefferson refused to seek a third term he believed the precedent set by Washington should be followed and that two terms were more than enouth. Despite mummering’s of Hamilton or Arnold taking up the mantle, it would be Jefferson’s friend madison who would run for the federalists. This was met with heavy criticism, Madison had been a prepotent of war polices and action against Spain, he also advocated war against France if she did not hand over its American land. America wanted to expand out west but were starting to tire of war, the democratic-republicans promised peaceful solutions.
Hamilton and other powerful Federalists leaders opposed to Madison, including John Adams and John Laurens, rallied around the potential candidacy of Benedict Arnold. It took all of Jefferson's prestige and charm to convince dissident Federalists not to bolt from the party out of dislike for Madison. The democratic-republicans ran Aaron burr again, this time preaching his skills with the native Americans, his ability to talk first and fight later and his appreciation of France and her efforts to hold back the tide of monarchist evil. In the end, the federalists would finally lose the office they had held since 1789 with Burr defeating Madison winning 122 of the 176 electoral votes in the 1804 election.​
 
Part Three: The Presidency of Aaron Burr

Part Three: The Presidency of Aaron Burr​

Aaron Burr.jpg
 
Chapter Twenty-Three: A New Cabinet

Chapter Twenty-Three: A New Cabinet​

Upon his inauguration in 1805, burr quickly moved to make the largest changes to the cabinet the country had seen. While Jefferson had been a more open public president, burr was a more reserved man who often seemed cold. He did not want to undo the successes of the first two presidents but he also wanted to move the country away from war. Burr continued the tradition of picking skill over locality something that he believed would be key in his diplomatic stance. Burr often called cabinet meetings listening to the views of his cabinet before making choices based on the facts. His Cabinet included:

Secretary of the Treasury: Albert Gallatin- Burr knew the Hamilton position was not one they could reverse because it had benefited the country. Gallatin instead moved to reduce the debut of the country which was successful. He worked closely with the other departments to reduce spending and was able to slowly reduce taxes to a lower level. Gallatin had no obligation to the party which irritated the democratic-republicans but burr kept him for his ability.

Secretary of War: Richard Montgomery- Richard Montgomery was an Irish soldier who first served in the British Army. He later became a major general in the Continental Army during the American Revolutionary War. Montgomery was tasked with reducing the budget of the army. Instead of decreasing the armed forces, Montgomery continued the reforms of his predecessor but faster. Montgomery moved the army away from relying on French industry to relying on American industry. The army training act would be established during his tenure which would establish a training guide for all of the army.

Secretary of State: James Monroe -This was the office that burr was most interested in for it would be the key to his policy. For this role he selected James Monroe. Monroe was known for his diplomatic skill in the Netherlands. Monroe would aid burr in his effort to expand America diplomatic though his actions in becoming closer to France would lead the country further to war which is what they were try to move away from

Secretary of home development: Marc Isambard Brunel: Marc Isambard Brunel would be the only cross over from the federalists to a democratic-republican president. Brunel also had no affliction to any party. As others moved to cut their budgets, burr allowed Brunel to increase his. Roads would continue to be improved throughout burr’s term fully connecting the country. Brunel would also work closely with burr on the American act of 1807 which would expand the scope of what being an American was.

Secretary of the Navy: Benjamin Williams Crowninshield- Crowninshield would build up the backbone of the navy, building several ships of the line, the backbone of burr’s newly enhanced navy. Crowninshield would work to implement burr’s *deterrence policy* a large navy both military and merchant for defence and trading. The new American navy would scare the Spanish who would turn to the British who were rapidly rebuilding their own fleet.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Four: Louisiana Purchase

Chapter Twenty-Four: Louisiana Purchase​

Burr took on an idea that to survive America had to grow, it was a common idea in America by 1805 that America had to expand west. Though people did not completely agree on how it should be done. American’s had already begun to expand out west and with native American help began to tame land that was not yet there’s. Some pushed for war to take the land, others suggested making the native Americans fight a proxy war. Burr liked none of those ideas, he moved to diplomacy which many said would not be possible. Burr and Monroe were not ready to give up on the idea of spreading peacefully west.

Many in the United States, particularly those in the west, favoured further territorial expansion, and especially hoped to annex the Spanish province of Louisiana. Given Spain's sparse presence in Louisiana, Burr believed that it was just a matter of time until Louisiana fell to either Britain or the United States, the British were keen to reclaim more of north America. They had stolen a page from America’s book and provided Spain with an undisclosed amount of money for Mexico, it was a blow to America as it turned Spain against France and in turn American interests. It was a shock to many that Spain would give up Mexico so easily but with rising debts and increased attacks in the Caribbean and south America, its empire was crumbling at the seams.

Burr’s plans to take Louisiana were dashed when Spain joined the British. However, Spain’s rising debt, higher taxes and its crumbling empire caused the people to revolt against Charles IV instead the people gathered behind his son Ferdinand VII of Spain who spoke out against his father and promised to restore Spain. Not wanting invasion from France, they agreed to the Treaty of Aranjuez in 1806 which transferred the province to France.

Hoping to use their long friendship, burr planned to get Louis XVI to sell some of the land with the intent on buying more later to slowly spread west and stop the threat of British Mexico which was a growing fear in America now that the British had returned to north America. In early 1807, Burr dispatched John Quincy Adams to France to join ambassador Robert Livingston in purchasing New Orleans, East Florida, and West Florida from France. To the surprise of the American delegation, Louis XVI offered to sell the entire territory of Louisiana for $15 million. The Americans also pressed for the acquisition of the Florida's, but under the terms of the Treaty of Aranjuez, Spain retained control of both of those territories. On April 30, the two delegations agreed to the terms of the Louisiana Purchase, and Louis XVI gave his approval the following day.

After Secretary of State James Monroe gave his assurances that the purchase was completely legal, the Senate quickly ratified the treaty, and the House immediately authorized funding. The purchase, concluded in December 1807, marked the end of French ambitions in North America and ensured American control of the Mississippi River. The Louisiana Purchase nearly doubled the size of the United States. 1808 would be a big year, the war against France finaly ended. The Treaty of Campo Formio would officially end the war, Louis XVI would take the whole of the Rhineland and parts of western Italy which would form the Kingdom of Italy under Louis Charles (who would rule as Louis I of Italy).

The British gained full control of Mexico from Spain as Ferdinand took control of Spain from his father and began to come down on the colonies in south America stopping their ambitions of freedom. After reforming the country, Louis XVI amended the succession of the French throne. This new succession would come to pass after Louis XVI passed away at the age of 54. His daughter (Marie-Thérèse Charlotte of France) who would rule as Queen Charlotte I. She promised to continue working with America and keep going with her father’s reform. Tensions would continue to grow between America and the British while the Americans believed Spain had betrayed them to the British.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Five: Lewis and Clark and The America n Act

Chapter Twenty-Five: Lewis and Clark and The American Act​

Burr had begun planning for an expedition to the lands west of the Mississippi River. Burr considered it important for the United States to establish a claim on Oregon Country by documenting and establishing an America n presence there before Europeans could establish strong claims. Before he would allow expeditions to search out west, burr had to deal with the native America problem. Burr had spent time with the natives during the revolution. Despite claims it was too much burr pushed forward with the American act. In 1809 it passed congress and was singed into law. Burr saw it as a great victory for native Americans. It expanded all rights American citizens gained to natives and also made it illegal to steal land from them. It was a blow to plans to expand rapidly and harsh against native Americans but burr insisted they respected them. The act also promised land to natives as America spread.

In 1810, he appointed Meriwether Lewis, along with William Clark, as the leaders of a western expedition, dubbing it the Corps of Discovery. Burr chose Lewis to lead the expedition rather than someone with only the best scientific credentials because of Lewis' military experience in the woods and his openness of Indian value and ability to work with them. In May 1810, the Corps of Discovery, consisting of about 40 men, departed from St. Louis and travelled up the Missouri River. Guided by Sacagawea and various Native America n tribes along the way, the expedition, traveling on the Columbia River, reached the Pacific Ocean by November 1810. After the winter thaw the expedition began their return trip on March 22, 1811, and returned to St. Louis on September 23 that year, adding a wealth of scientific and geographical knowledge of the vast territory, along with knowledge of the many Indian tribes. Along the way Indian tribes were made known of the America act and their rights, many would begun to chose to either settle thus changing their life style or moved further west.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Six: The Monroe Doctrine

Chapter Twenty-Six: The Monroe Doctrine​

Ireland. Following the 12th century Anglo-Norman invasion, England claimed sovereignty. However, English rule did not extend over the whole island until the 16th–17th century Tudor conquest, which led to colonisation by settlers from Britain. In the 1690s, a system of Protestant English rule was designed to materially disadvantage the Catholic majority and Protestant dissenters, and was extended during the 18th century. With the Acts of Union in 1801, Ireland became a part of the United Kingdom. After the revolution in America and the subsequent loss of the thirteen colonies saw the British come down harder on its current land.

The Irish already unpleased by events were further agitated by the British new policy. With their voice gone, the people of Ireland blamed its own parliament for selling the country over the British. It was well known that bribery was used to convince the parliament. Worried that the Irish may go the way of America and revolt it began to station more and more troops in Ireland. The Irish knew they had little to no chance of victory and for a time peace returned. By 1810 however resistance returned, Robert Emmet who had fled to France in 1803 after a failed revolution returned in secret and began to organise rebellions.

At first America was not inclined to care about the Irish situation. But Richard Montgomery insisted something be done. burr could not take America to war for he had promised not to. In late 1810, Monroe came up with an idea that would go on to become known as the Monroe doctrine. America (and hopefully France) would supply the Irish rebels secretly with guns, food and other things they needed, the ships would not sail under the American flag so they could not be blamed. Doing so America would avoid war but continue the fight for freedom. The new doctrine would become a main stay in American politics, with presidents far and wide using it to support movements without war. For the Irish it was welcome support as they were able to keep up the resistance with the British only slightly suspecting American involvement.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Election of 1812

Chapter Twenty-Seven: The Election of 1812​

Aaron burr wanted to run for a third term. He had doubled the size of the country, had come to dislike Washington at the end of the term and was quite popular. The democratic-republicans and federalists however both spoke out against this. Sensing that his own party would not support him, burr agreed not to stand in the election instead opting to support his Secretary of State James Monroe for the office.
No federalist wanted to go up against the popular Monroe or burr. They chose DeWitt Clinton to be their choice for president knowing he had little to no chance in winning. They hoped they could return strong in 1816. Despite the manoeuvrings of Clinton and the Federalists Monroe won the election, though by the narrowest margin. He received 128 electoral votes to 89 for Clinton. Federalists made gains in most states outside of the South, but Pennsylvania's support for Monroe ensured that he won a majority of the electoral vote.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Eight-A Weaker President

Chapter Twenty-Eight-A Weaker President​

James Monroe was a master diplomat but a weak president. His cabinet was known to make most major choices and his actions during his presidency made support for the federalists return again. His presidency was considered the most like that of a dictator. He would keep most his cabinet from burr, not wanting to rock the boat though not all would remain the same due to the president’s actions. The cabinet included:

Secretary of War: Richard Montgomery- Richard Montgomery would remain on as Secretary of War, he and Monroe did not get on well but Monroe had nobody else who would take the job. Monroe would often make military choices without Montgomery leading to problems. Monroe purposefully cut the budget of the army weakening it in order to annoy his foe. Still Montgomery remained.

Secretary of State: William Eustis- Eustis would take over at the state department. He had little experience and was placed there due to a friendship with Monroe. He did mange however to open diplomatic relations with the Russian empire though he was mostly known for being ineffective, with the French ambassador complaining about him.

Secretary of home development
: Marc Isambard Brunel/ Paul Hamilton: Marc Isambard Brunel would remain on his role for a year longer but Monroe’s actions as president led Burnell to quit. Paul Hamilton would replace him and would be the worst cabinet member of all. He cared little for native American’s so was okay letting some leases run dry, only Monroe’s quick actions stoped deaths. He was also a drunk who swindled money from the government causing projects to stall. Monroe never turned to him for advice

Secretary of the Navy: Benjamin Williams Crowninshield- Crowninshield would remain on as Secretary of the navy and would be the only one who was commended for there job. He helped fend of British naval raids from Bremuda and Mexico while also modernising and improving the fleet. He also manged to get on well with Monroe and saw a stable budget to complete his plans.​
 
Chapter Twenty-Nine- Race Acts

Chapter Twenty-Nine- Race Acts​

Monroe like burr before him hated the British. He believed they were inside the country causing unrest and though his claims were not completely untrue he believed the democratic-republicans had to act before it was to late. Though the country had been on relativity strong ground since the 1790s, Monroe still feared that with enouth British interface their whole country could collapse. Monroe also did not trust the deep south, though he was a southerner himself he did not believe Georgia and South Carolina had properly been punished for leaving America it’s darkest hour to work with the British.

In an attempt to quench this distrust of a outer-force destroying the country, the democratic-republicans and Monroe introduced and then passed, a series of laws collectively referred to as the Race Acts, which were signed by Monroe in June 1814. Congress specifically passed four measures – the Naturalization Act, the Alien Friends Act, the Alien Enemies Act and the Sedition Act. The Alien Friends Act, Alien Enemies Act, and Naturalization Acts targeted immigrants, specifically British, by giving the president greater deportation authority and increasing citizenship requirements. The Sedition Act made it a crime to publish "false, scandalous, and malicious writing" against the government or its officials. The federalists were outraged at this blatant power grab.

Anyone who attempted to speek out against the laws were jailed, up to 15 were imprisoned. It was considered the closest America would ever come to a dictatorship, it would also cause Secretary of home development Marc Isambard Brunel to leave his role to focus on his family. Monroe did not see any problems with the laws.​
 
Chapter Thirty- A Near War

Chapter Thirty- A Near War​

Tensions between the British and America ns had not died down after the war. No real effort had been made by either side to solve the remaining problems between them. It was made worse when the British took Mexico, which infuriated the America ns more. Monroe had already proven his dislike for the army and after spending a brief time with his cabinet came to believe that the strength of the British laid within the navy. And this would reflect on his president, leaving the naval department to continue its increase with Monroe suspecting the only way to hold up to the British would be though navel supremacy.

Monroe had also come to the power on the promise of continued peace that burr had created though he secretly wished to put the British in their place. In May 1815 Monroe got his chance, a British privateer captured a merchant vessel off of the New York Harbour. An increase in attacks on sea marked the beginning of the undeclared naval war. Despite wanting war, Monroe was not sure if the president had the powers for war nor were congress ready to go to war. Still Monroe pursued a strategy whereby America harassed British ships in an effort sufficient to stop the British assaults on American interests.

The prospect of a second British invasion of the U.S. mainland led for calls to build up the army. Hamilton and other Federalists were particularly adamant that a large army be called up, in spite the presidents promise for peace. Monroe was not prepared to deploy the army despite his calls for war. He did not like nor trust his Secretary of War, calling him a secretive federalist traitor. Monroe would have replaced him but by 1815 even his own party began to dislike him. Still the near war would remain, British and America n ships attacking one another with tensions continuing to simmer.​
 
Chapter Thirty-One - He’s Not One of Ours

Chapter Thirty-One - He’s Not One of Ours​

From the go Monroe was not considered a popular president. The federalists lambasted him for his cabinet choices and questionable actions. Despite this, at first Monroe was liked by both his party and the people. He had been Secretary of state under the popular burr and had helped him with his major achievements. Monroe however had always been a diplomat and thinker; he was not good with major choices or cabinet decisions. By 1813, an idea came that the presidency was a poisoned chalice. That the choices and pressure caused the strongest of men to buckle and break. It had affected Washington and Jefferson even burr himself seemed a lot older than he was.

Monroe was the first president to fully feel the weight and pressure of the presidency. His party at first supported him and so too did the people. He lost support of most of the people with the race acts of 1814 but still his party supported him. Some wanted to speek out but faced the Race Acts if they did, but the tide did slowly turn against the president in 1815. Monroe seeked to copy the successes of what happened in Ireland in Scotland. However, there was little resistance in Scotland, the English had long since pacified her.

A so-called unnamed rebel began to take money from the Monroe presidency despite calls from the party not to. Monroe did not listen and in December 1815, it was revealed in England, then Europe and finally America of Monroe’s blunder. He had been taken for a ride by an English Nobel of Scottish descent and had been paying the English themselves. Monroe’s popularity collapsed, and his own party turned against him. In early 1816, Monroe was officially cast out of the party. Not a man known fully for fighting he accepted his losses though claimed his party had worked against him. He declared he would not seek a second term in 1816 becoming the first president not to seek 8 years in office, the first to be removed from his party and the first to only serve one term.​
 
Chapter Thirty-Two – The Election of 1816

Chapter Thirty-Two – The Election of 1816​

The election of 1816 was to be an odd one. The democratic republicans had booted Monroe thus the president had chosen not to run for a second term. This would mean that the election would be fought by two new candidates. Henry Clay was chosen to replace Monroe as the democratic-republican candidate for president. As a member of the Democratic-Republican Party, Clay won election to the Kentucky state legislature in 1803 and to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1810. He was chosen as Speaker of the House in early 1811. He was considered a popular candidate for the election and was seen as a candidate who could truly contunuie the ideals of president burr.

The federalists were ready now to put up a fight but two factions emerged. There was those under alexander Hamilton who perused a strong military, rapid industrialisation, new taxes, further colonisation of America and the increasing of the Monroe doctrine in Europe. The second faction was that of Benedict Arnold he too perused strong military, rapid industrialisation and strong taxes but was focused on expanding the democratic rights of the people and applying the Monroe doctrine at home as well as overseas. The federalists who would have been united against an easy target were more divided than ever.

The compromise of 1816 would see Hamilton agree to step down in his effort to run office putting Arnold in the forefront. Hamilton would not go quite into the night however and became the first candidate to fully tour the entire country preaching democratic reform and the woes of the president. Monroe attempted to keep himself out of the way but a scandal involving the secretary of home development thrust him into the limelight once more.

The previous four years of American politics were dominated by the effects of the Monroe presidency. The actions of Monroe and his cabinet were not satisfactory to the American people, and the Democratic-Republicans received there share fair of backlash for the results. The Democratic-Republicans had little to campaign on, and Arnold easily won the Electoral College, carrying 19 of the 22 states.​
 
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