A Nobler Republic: An American Philosophy TL (my first)

A Nobler Republic: The story of an Aristocratic America
By:Sporian



Voltaire’s Diary, September 12, 1749

It seems to me that my life has taken a turbulent turn for the worse, with the Marquise’s death (which devastated me) and my relationship with Frederick weakening. I’ve decided to start a new life. After reading thoroughly after her demise, I’ve decided to move to the Americas, specifically Boston.. It might not be the bustling cultural center of Paris or Genoa, but I think they could use a man of my caliber across the pond. The culture of the mosaic of peoples over there is forming, and a man like me could help. I will travel to Berlin, meet with Frederic, and take a ship to America. Hopefully someone actually has a printing press over there... I have a new idea for a story, from a dream I had. It’s about beings from another planet, visiting Earth. I’m sure the Americans will love it. I must resign, for I have a large trip before me.

Benjamin Franklin’s diary, October 1752

Oh, but a few months ago I met the great Philosopher Voltaire, not knowing he owned a large estate down the street, but he has influenced me so much. He came to me seeking a printing press and holding a story of which I’ve never read the likes of, called Minimegas. I read it, and discussed it with him while printing a few copies. That night, we spent hours talking about various subjects, and he convinced me to start up my old Junto again, with Voltaire as the new member. Now, the Junto is a den of culture, and I’ve convinced my new friend to make more stories of the sort like Minimegas, about beings from other cosmic bodies, and them observing man. He’s begun to call it ‘Cosmos Fiction.’ I wish to see more of it, and I have printed copies for my friends in the Junto and other areas in the 13 colonies.

Voltaire's Letters to Frederick, 1755
My Dear Friend Frederick,
For a while I thought I would dislike America, with its untamed wilderness and small towns, but it's begun to grow onto me like the vines on my manor's wall. ... I believe these men I've met, not really philosophers in the European sense but the closest thing thereof, are very interested in me, and especially my works. My tragedies have become the rage of Boston and New York (previously titled New Amsterdam: Classic Imperialism), and my Minimegas and its various sequels have spread all the way across the 13 colonies. My ideas of religious tolerance and seperation of Church and state are welcome here. I hope to talk with more men like Benjamin Franklin (his Almanack is some good reading, even if it is simple) and Samuel Adams. I will soon talk at Harvard about my various Cosmos Fictions. I think I will carve myself quite the place across the pond.

Yours Truly,
François-Marie Arouet (Voltaire)
_____________________________________________________________

I got this idea from the subreddit /r/AltHistory, and I kind of had to ASB Voltaire coming to America. Besides that, you will see much more from this, and a better explanation for the fact that America becomes an Aristocracy.
 
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Hey, this is interesting! I must say I'm very curious to see how Voltaire is going to contribute to America becoming a more aristocratic society. I can see he will be contributing to what looks to be eighteenth-century science fiction - which is awesome beyond belief.

On a personal note, it's funny to see that in this TL, Voltaire goes to America after becoming frustrated with Frederick II, and it results in a more aristocratic America. I just started a TL of my own, based on the premise of Frederick ending up in America, and that leads to Frederick rejecting the notion of aristocracy. It'll be interesting to compare the two timelines, see how they end up in different directions. :)
 
Oh, that is just AMAZING that we thought of similar ideas. Hopefully we can compare notes and hopefully run fun little parallels. I've read a bit of your timeline, and I was gonna originally have Frederick II running off to America to spread the idea of Aristocracy, but I thought Voltaire would be much more influential. Your timeline's great as well. Next post coming up soon.
 
Part 2: Ideas of independence

Voltaire's Diary, December 14/5, 1755
My latest comedy, Folies Coloniales, was a hit, and its satirizing of the American Front of the War hit home for many people. i was even confronted after the show by a Mrs. Washington, saying that her husband was in the war currently and it still made her laugh at parts. I'm glad I'm bringing a new play into the harsh winter of Boston to cheer up some people. I know many more people want Cosmos Fiction, but it's such an easy story to write. Not to mention that I must write in English. I hate writing and speaking the damn language, but at least there are a few in this town who speak French and one who speaks Latin in Harvard.
The Junto has really started to become more and more about liberty and independence. Now while I don't believe that a republic would be the correct way to go (with the fact that any peasant can run, no matter how radical or idiotic. A revolution is not useful with more idiots in charge) the ideas of freedom of expression and religion, I can get behind. It have sent many letters to Frederick trying to get him to convince the Brits to stop this insipid war. But then again, I might as well ask him to convince Great Britain to release the 13 colonies.

From "Common Misconceptions, Ep 8: American History
Another great Misconception is that Voltaire sparked the revolution by his comedy "Colonial Follies." This comedy, parodying the situation during the French and Indian War, was actually very pertinent to the idea of independence. Another misconception is that Benjamin Franklin said, "A revolution is not useful with more idiots in charge." That credit actually DOES go to Voltaire, as does the invention of Cosmos Fiction and the idea of an American Higher Class. So Voltaire, one of the Founding Fathers, is a big area of controversy. Some say he even hated to speak English! No matter, Voltaire did have a big hand in Revolution.

Frederick's letter to Voltaire, 1765
My newly American friend,
all of your comedies parodying the Britsh are runnming Rampart in Europe, but you probably know that. It seems here in Prussia, American Independence is gaining support. So a secret mission is underway, Brits be damned. Some of our finest minds are on a ship, traveling towards Boston. When they land, take care of them and they will assist you in your fight. These Philosophers, Scientists, and politicians will help you, and hopefully they will help in the fight for independence.
 
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