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I had an interesting idea that I thought I'ld share. I think the idea of the US having a Parliamentary system would be interesting (though personally I prefer the presidential system set up at the Constitutional Convention). However I find most of the timelines that have the US set up a Parliamentary system of government involve monarchs, whether the US selects some low level German nobleman, or decides to make George Washington King. However I want the US to have a Parliamentary System without a monarch.

From my studies I do not think it is very possible to set up a parliamentary system in 1787 or before without a big PoD. This is because the young US has just defeated Great Britain, the epitome of parliamentary government, and they were in no mood to establish one. However I think it would be possible if the US had a big defeat in the war of 1812.

The scenario I imagine is a quasi-collapse of the Federal Government during the war of 1812. Madison, Gerry, and the other top echelon of the Federal Government at the time are incapacitated, DC is more devastated, and it becomes virtually inoperable. This leads to an objective American defeat in the war. The US loses some territory and pride.

After such a scenario I can imagine a second constitutional convention being called where they decide they need a stronger government, and decide to adopt a Parliamentary government.

How does this sound?
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