redlightning
Banned
Instead of the Union being reunited peacefully as a restored democratic government after the American Civil War, have it reunite under a dictatorship or a monarchy instead.
Yeah, even if Joe Hooker seizes power I suspect he would relinquish it upon conclusion of hostilities. Fighting Joe was many things, power-hungry was not one of them.I don't see any reasonable chances to make USA dictatorship during Civil War. Perhaps if the war lasts much longer and is much worse. Democracy was probably too strong on this point. Some military coup might be possible but it wouldn't last long and probably very unlikely.
I'll go first. I can do this for at least much of America in one form or another. The secessionist crisis begins as OT in 1860. The Confederate States of America still forms in 1861. In early 1861 Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin are is successfully assassinated by Confederate sympathizers while touring Washington. Speaker of the House Galusha Grow becomes President shortly after.
Instead of the Union being reunited peacefully as a restored democratic government after the American Civil War, have it reunite under a dictatorship or a monarchy instead.
I'll go first. I can do this for at least much of America in one form or another. The secessionist crisis begins as OT in 1860. The Confederate States of America still forms in 1861. In early 1861 Abraham Lincoln and Vice President Hannibal Hamlin are is successfully assassinated by Confederate sympathizers while touring Washington. Speaker of the House Galusha Grow becomes President shortly after.
This period of weakness allows the Confederate army to attack and seize Washington D.C. and most of Maryland in late 1861. The ramifications of this in turn exposes other major cities to be exposed to attack. The US Congress relocates to Philadelphia with the humiliated President Grow taking up residence in a hotel during the occupation.
Victories such as this are able to convince delegations with France under Napoleon the III in 1862 to intervene on behalf of the Confederacy in exchange for support in its invasion of Mexico after the war. The French war fleet breaks the Union blockade. French training and resources helps to continue Southern advances along the border states. Cities such as Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and others are captured, sacked, or raided. A French blockade of northern states is bleeding the Union's economy and ability to make war.
With the circumstances, many in Congress increasingly discuss seeking peace talks with the Southern states. A few states such as Kentucky and Delaware secede officially adding to the pressure brought by the blockade. With offensive operations of the Union unable to pierce the South because of French weapons and resources, this is close to becoming a reality. Southern independence is secured in 1863. Peace talks with the French and United States also secure an accord ending the war as well.
As promised in the late 1860's Confederate support helps French forces invade and intervene in Mexico. By the early 1870's it is secure as a colony of the French Empire. Parts of the United States' western territory such as California have sought independence at this time. French forces see this as opportunity for more colonization and send an expeditionary force to effectively conquer the independent republic of California. It seeks the support of Southern forces and receives it. California is part of France by the 1880's. Other territories of the United States west of the Mississippi form and do the same with there own independent governments. The former borders of the United States have broken into at least four separate nations.
Economic infighting between the states which make up the Confederacy causes stagflation which causes several states to secede from this government as well. Fearing instability, the Confederate army attempts to prevent the rebellion of several states result in its own civil war. The conflict eventually decimates the resources of the Southern states to the point of near bankruptcy. By the early 1890's, the instability of the government causes a cou led by military forces to seize power in the form of military dictatorship. There is further armed resistance which is quelled by the armed forces trying to keep stability. The Confederate States of America effectively becomes a constitutional monarchy with a royal family. Several states seek annexation by the former United States. This is granted in the 1890's.