AHC: An American "Napoleon"

Winfield Scott maybe? Man, that could be so awesome, even if made into a cracky/fun timeline, that could be so awesome.

Winfield Scott was a great general. But his personality was so off-putting that he'd fail to gain the political support to become an American Napoleon.

On the other hand, while he was in command of occupation forces in Mexico City, a group of Mexican elites approached Scott and invited him to become President of Mexico. He declined. But if he had accepted, he might have become a sort of Mexican Napoleon.
 
Winfield Scott was a great general. But his personality was so off-putting that he'd fail to gain the political support to become an American Napoleon.

On the other hand, while he was in command of occupation forces in Mexico City, a group of Mexican elites approached Scott and invited him to become President of Mexico. He declined. But if he had accepted, he might have become a sort of Mexican Napoleon.

If he accepts then his men have him arrested and sent back to Washington in chains.
 
Have a 3rd side form in the ACW that overruns the other two after the war *or* drag it out another few years and let the economy melt from the debt
 
My first thought would be somehow get Andrew Jackson to spend more time in office. Whether that is getting him elected earlier and serving another term, or some else it doesn't matter too much. Once there for longer, we would need the members of government at that time to be terrified of a federalist coup (that shouldn't be that hard). Add a sense that he is the linchpin to the current government and probably more than several politicians would be afraid about what will happen if he dies in office, throw in a few more failed assassination attempts and someone will be calling for a stable line of succession.

My other thought is, is there a relative of George Washington that could make an attempt at some point after George's death? Maybe during the War of 1812?
 
I don't see how anyone can use 1812 to their advantage because it was a war that America started. Repelling invaders only works if they're invading, not sitting on their hands.
 
I don't see how anyone can use 1812 to their advantage because it was a war that America started. Repelling invaders only works if they're invading, not sitting on their hands.

By 1814 it was the Brits who were taking the fight to America with three separate invasions at Plattsburgh, Baltimore and New Orleans.

I do think Jackson would make a good analogy for an American Napoleon.
 
By 1814 it was the Brits who were taking the fight to America with three separate invasions at Plattsburgh, Baltimore and New Orleans.

I do think Jackson would make a good analogy for an American Napoleon.

After America declared war, and after Britain tried to negotiate peacefully.
 
After America declared war, and after Britain tried to negotiate peacefully.

I know but if we go with the Jackson=Napoleon analogy. The 1812 war would be like the French revolutionary war where the French started the war and Napoleon made a name for himself in the war in the same way Jackson did in 1815. Jackson's Florida campaign in 1819 can be compared to Napoleon's campaign in Egypt.

Eventually he gets elected President in the 1820s and for some reason or another he becomes a dictator. We'd need to change Jackson's personality but I suppose its not that implausible. In his administration he could fight another war with Britain over Canada/Oregon and a war with Mexico for California/Texas.

A stretch for sure but an interesting thought experiment.
 
I don't see how anyone can use 1812 to their advantage because it was a war that America started. Repelling invaders only works if they're invading, not sitting on their hands.

The French started the 1792 war. That actually reinforces the parallel.
 
Top