AHC make the state of Delaware a byword for debauchery and corruption

This goes here because it may require a pre-1900 POD, though post 1900 is OK if you can come up with it. What it says in the title. Try to keep the other states the same.
 
I mean isn’t it already a sign of corruption? Just look at the multitude of corporations are domiciled/incorporated in Delaware, oftentimes only having a P.O. Box there simply for tax purposes.
 
I mean isn’t it already a sign of corruption? Just look at the multitude of corporations are domiciled/incorporated in Delaware, oftentimes only having a P.O. Box there simply for tax purposes.
That's just corruption. Where's the debauchery? When you have more corporations than people, it's hard to debauch too hard.
 
To get Delaware some more debauchery, we somehow have to get gambling legalized earlier.

If Delaware somehow embraces the boardwalk around the same time as Atlantic City (1900), and attract visitors earlier we could have a shot. These summer visitors then make hotels pop up and when prohibition comes around make Delaware an extension of the giant smuggling ring and non-enforcement zone Atlantic City was.

Then, have the Great Atlantic Hurricane of 1944 hit New Jersey really, really hard, harder than it already did, but by some luck Delaware’s boardwalks don’t get touched. Then with a casino boom in the 70s-80s and someone like Trump patronizing the state, we could get a better Las Vegas of the East.

This is very weak though, I can’t find much on casino legality history in Delaware.
 
I mean isn’t it already a sign of corruption? Just look at the multitude of corporations are domiciled/incorporated in Delaware, oftentimes only having a P.O. Box there simply for tax purposes.

It indeed is, and the Dupont family are quite well known nationally for state corruption compared to other state political corruption. What you need is to have early 20th century Delaware have very liberal gambling laws plus laws tolerant on prostitution, plus keep them a staunch anti-Prohibition state until Prohibition is passed.
 
Having grown up in Delaware, this is one stretch of a possibility. As much as I have tried to think of a scenario or two that would make this happen, one or more of the following would have to happen.
  • Delaware consisted of the entire DelMarVa Peninsula; i.e. control of all of the beaches.
  • Larger military industrial complex wherebyre there was ore than just Dover AFB, but a significant Naval Base and Army Fort (Base) in addtion to more defense industry.
  • Make PA, MD and VA morally straight jacketed and even D.C. being a shining beacon of moral living.
In short, provide a reason why DE is the destination every weekend for the three surroundung states.
 
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