Butterfly away the OTL Constitution and put America on the path more similar to the typical Latin American country, and it's possible Jackson as Bonaparte is an anology that fits.Jackson seems a bit young...the republic would be too well established by the time he took power.
American Caesar? Maybe. American Bonaparte seems a bit far fetched.
Its a bit off an off chance, but I could see Alexander Hamilton if he were able to get his splendid little war against the French during the Adams administration and lead the US army.
I once envisioned that Bonapart escape to US aftervwaterloo instead of surrendering. What would the US do if Napoleon showed up at its door and asked for refuge? How would Britain and rest of Europe who suffered years of war react? Send US an ultimatum? Would war break out?The most plausible ATL American Bonaparte (not counting Simon Bolivar, who was very much an OTL American Bonaparte) is a chap named Napoleon Bonaparte
from What if Napoleon Had Come to America? from NPR
What if Napoleon had come to the New World?
"The answer to your question varies depending on what year Napoleon might have arrived," says Shannon Selin, a writer of historical fiction in Vancouver, British Columbia, and author of the novel Napoleon in America. "He seriously considered escaping to the United States from France in July 1815, and there were several reported plots to rescue him from St. Helena between 1816 and 1821."
The timing, Selin says, "affects both the geopolitical possibilities and Napoleon's physical capacity. By 1818, he was already suffering symptoms of the stomach cancer that went on to kill him."
Of course there are valid theories that it was not stomach cancer, but British arsenic, that did him in at age 51. A Boney living on well into his 60s or 70s is entirely plausible what-iffery
After Waterloo, political pressure convinced Napoleon to abdicate, writes Ines Murat — a distant relative of Napoleon — in her book Napoleon and the American Dream. As the Prussian army advanced on his home outside of Paris, he was reading a book about the geographical and botanical features of the New World. He even had picked out a pseudonym to use in America: Colonel Muiron.
"When Napoleon imagined his life in the United States," Murat wrote, "it was as a private individual and devotee of science. He had written in his abdication that his 'political life was over.' "
In a letter to a contemporary, Napoleon mused, "For me, idleness would be the cruelest torture. Without armies or an empire I see only science as influencing my spirit." And he planned to use America as his base camp.
Of course the Napster was entirely capable of changing his mind and seeking to return to the field of honor. If he'd arrived in North America around 1820 or so, there were plenty of worlds to conquer, had the whole "retired gentleman scientist" shtick been just a ruse. (Was Napoleon capable of such an outlandish ruse? Don't make me laugh!). But did he have the resources to raise an army?
One of his relatives wrote to another: "You've surely heard of the latest misfortunes of the Emperor ... He's going to the United States, where we shall all join him. He's quite calm and courageous."
His plan, Murat wrote, was to move 3 million gold francs to an American bank. He instructed underlings to ready his imperial library, the fine china and linen, enough furniture for two homes and a score of hunting guns. He also planned to take plenty of horses and 15 stable keepers.
Mon Dieu!! But where would the Bonemeister go with his rag-tag army and his millions in lucre? Florida? Cuba? Haiti? Texas? Mexico? Oregon? California? The hit list is substantial. His cult of personality was still vital, if numerically diminished, in the years after Waterloo. Beethoven still loved him. Euro-liberal intellectuals still saw some value in his laws and inspirational rhetoric. I'd argue North America was a veritable candy store waiting for some Charley to come along and find the golden ticket.
Speak to me no more about "Cascadia" timelines! I give you, ladies and gents, "Bonapartia"!
I once envisioned that Bonapart escape to US aftervwaterloo instead of surrendering. What would the US do if Napoleon showed up at its door and asked for refuge? How would Britain and rest of Europe who suffered years of war react? Send US an ultimatum? Would war break out?
What would the US do if Napoleon showed up at its door and asked for refuge? How would Britain and rest of Europe who suffered years of war react? Send US an ultimatum? Would war break out?
Its a bit off an off chance, but I could see Alexander Hamilton if he were able to get his splendid little war against the French during the Adams administration and lead the US army.
He would of needed to overthrow the Republic like Napoleon did to establish a strong central government with proper military to do that.
Honestly though I wouldn't be surprised if a less Federalist 1780s results in a succession of gov'ts a la OTL Revolutionary France ultimately resulting in Hamilton leading a coup after Washingtons death. Requires a pre 1787 POD but definitely interesting...
But what if the war of 1812 had been delayed by a few years and we have a war of 1814 instead and Napoleon lands in the midst of the war.Hand him over to the British. The country was war-weary and wouldn't want Napoleon around to cause more trouble with no benefit.
We actually did have an American Bonaparte be in Teddy Roosevelt's Cabinet:Basically what the title says, who's the most likely person to become an American Napoleon, whatever that means to you? POD is after 1783 Treaty of Paris.
Aaron Burr immediately jumps to mind, but IDK if he has the charisma to pull something like this off...
We actually did have an American Bonaparte be in Teddy Roosevelt's Cabinet:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Joseph_Bonaparte
Have TR designate him as his successor in 1908 instead of Taft. That way, the U.S. would have a President Bonaparte in 1908 and, if he avoids having a serious spat with TR, has a decent chance of being reelected in 1912. If WWI still breaks out in 1914 and President Bonaparte takes the U.S. into WWI before the end of his term, he is likely to get elected to a third term in 1916 if he wants.
Imagine that--an American Bonaparte being in charge of the U.S. during World War I!![]()
That's possible, but I still think that my scenario is easier.Alternatively, his elder brother served in the US Army until resigning to serve under Nappy III in Europe for a spell and then returned back to the US where he wed. WI instead of resigning from the US Army, he continued to serve and then fought for the Union in the Civil War, eventually being appointed to a big command position... then after the Civil War, he eventually runs for office and ends up POTUS.