An Interesting American Civil War Idea

What if, instead of seceding, the south simply claimed the election was rigged, and propped up their own candidate, Breckenridge, in Richmond, and began fighting to have him viewed as President? Would this give them more foreign support? What states would be likely to join this side?
 
What if, instead of seceding, the south simply claimed the election was rigged, and propped up their own candidate, Breckenridge, in Richmond, and began fighting to have him viewed as President? Would this give them more foreign support? What states would be likely to join this side?

If anything, it would give them less support, I think. The south argued that their stare rights were being taken away, and so they left. They viewed that slaveru was an extension of state's rights and were upset that everyone else wanted to get rid of it.

If they say the election was rigged, then they come off as spoiled brags that succeed because they didn't get their way, as the election was cleary not rigged. At least with their "states right" excuse, it was semi-legitimate.
 

jahenders

Banned
Agreed. Those pushing this are probably seen as fools/troublemakers. Either their support fades or they prompt (armed) defiance of federal law. If the latter, the army is eventually sent in, there are some incidents, and either the leaders are captured/killed or they raise a general insurrection. It likely wouldn't turn into the civil war, per se, because support would be less universal, but could lead to a series of revolts, riots, etc.

If anything, it would give them less support, I think. The south argued that their stare rights were being taken away, and so they left. They viewed that slaveru was an extension of state's rights and were upset that everyone else wanted to get rid of it.

If they say the election was rigged, then they come off as spoiled brags that succeed because they didn't get their way, as the election was cleary not rigged. At least with their "states right" excuse, it was semi-legitimate.
 
What if, instead of seceding, the south simply claimed the election was rigged, and propped up their own candidate

For this to work the Democrats need to be united in 1860. Lincoln can still win the election, but will overwhelming lose the popular vote. The below post explains such a scenario.

1860
A united front against Lincoln, the Democrats don't split, and all the votes of Bell also go to the Democrats.
genusmap.php

Lincoln Still wins!!
Lincoln gets 1,855,993 pop votes 39.65% 169 ev votes
United Dems gets 2,824,783 votes 60.34 % 134 ev votes
The only states that Lincoln loses are California & Oregon

In such a scenario, support for the "people's candidate" might be high enough to stave off succession.
 
For this to work the Democrats need to be united in 1860. Lincoln can still win the election, but will overwhelming lose the popular vote. The below post explains such a scenario.
Perhaps the Douglasites (the southern ones, of course) agree to support Breckenridge, but are still defeated in the electoral college. Their failure there prompts the war.
 
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