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...and its effect on U.S. history.

Has to be:

1. Socially "enlightened" or even "liberal" (in the way Americans typically misdefine the word). If early enough, anti-slavery, pro-women/Catholic/Jew/Immigrant/Minority rights, etc.

2. Fiscally responsible and conservative (again in the American sense).

3. Pro free/fair trade, pro business (big AND small), anti-over regulation.

4. Pro gold, silver, or bimetallist standard.

5. Extremely small government and individual liberty oriented.

6. Pro-military but extremely non-interventionist.

7. Anti National Banks or Federal Reserve.

8. After 1800 and before 1970. Should be pretty interesting to see when you try to do this, so I'll give you a lot of leeway.

I don't think I need to go on...

If I might have a go, I think a TL in which it's Southern Democrats in control of the government in the mid-19th century using their power to extend slavery and a heavily Republican north seceding from the Union (so that State's Rights arguments were used as anti-slavery tools rather than OTL's opposite scenario) and then a reunification occurring later.

It needs fleshing out, but in that scenario the social warriors of the era are also the most vocal proponents of state's rights and small government/limited federal control.

Thoughts?

At any rate, it's your turn.

Bonus points for a POD that surprises me in its earliness!
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