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Okay so this may seem a bit ASBish but I was trying to think of a scenario for the great depression that mirrors OTL for the past few years. So this comes to mind, if possible the stock market collapse is moved up to September, 1928. The Coolidge administration does nothing and the economy worsens. Democrats use it as an opportunity to advance and Smith wins a narrow victory over Hoover.

Coming into office with a Democratic house and senate Smith attempts to get some make work programs passed which mildly alleviate the economy. However things have not yet gotten bad enough for anybody to abandon economic conventionality and Smith listens to the advice of most mainstream economists to raise taxes and refuses to deficit spend worried about the risk of inflation.

Meanwhile a right-wing Protestant movement emerges that attacks Smith for bringing "foreign influence" to the White House and for his wet stance. In some ways they mirror fascist movements in Europe at the time but with a distinctly American and anti-catholic stance. They appeal to many southern dixiecrats and in 1930 emerge with third party candidates winning election to the house of representitives.

At the same time however there is increased support for the Socialist and Communist Party with a strong movement across the country which includes many progressive Democrats, among them Smith's successor as Governor of New York Franklin D Roosevelt who attack him for not going far enough. They feel the need to respond to the "Tea Party" and so in the autumn of 1931 a movement begins to occupy wall street.
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