Challenge: Andrew Jackson kills Charles Dickens in a duel.
- Thread starter Darkest
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Dickens, insulted by the US' plagiarizing, challenges America to a duel. Jackson steps up.
Dickens, for whatever reason, decides to immigrate to the USA as a young man. First settling in New York, he makes the aquaitence of Mordachai Manuel Noah (who in OTL tried to found a state of Israel in upstate New York, but who became a Democratic officeholder in NY instead). Dickens becomes a Democrat thanks to Noah. He publishes a newspaper that enthusiastically promotes Jackson, which helps to tip New York in Jackson's favor in 1828 (the popular vote wasn't close, but the Electoral College hinged on New York). Noah introduces Dickens to Jackson, who rewards the former Englishman with a plum office in D.C.
However, as Andrew Jackson's presidency continues, Dickens begins to object to several aspects of Jackson's policy, such as his hostility towards the Bank of the United States (BUS), and his harsh treatment of the Native Americans. The two friends begin to argue increasingly. Eventually, Dickens resigns from his office, and returns to New York, where he starts a new paper that damns Jackson and promotes the Whigs instead. The attacks from the paper become more and more vitriolic, until, angered, Jackson challenges his former friend to the field of battle in 1834.
How's that?
However, as Andrew Jackson's presidency continues, Dickens begins to object to several aspects of Jackson's policy, such as his hostility towards the Bank of the United States (BUS), and his harsh treatment of the Native Americans. The two friends begin to argue increasingly. Eventually, Dickens resigns from his office, and returns to New York, where he starts a new paper that damns Jackson and promotes the Whigs instead. The attacks from the paper become more and more vitriolic, until, angered, Jackson challenges his former friend to the field of battle in 1834.
How's that?
Dickens, seeing that Jackson is much better with a gun then he, proposes that they duel with swords.
Burton K Wheeler
Moderator
This being a David bar Elias timeline, as a butterfly effect, Noah, with the backing of the President, instead starts his 'Israel' in OTL Wisconsin. Jewish settlers from throughout Europe stream in, and by 1848, the state of Zion is admitted to the Union, with a population of 700,000, of whom 80% are Jewish. Its capital, New Jerusalem [OTL Milwaukee], becomes an early site for heavy industry and shipping, overshadowing Chicago, and the University of Zion in Noahsberg [OTL Madison] is regarded as one of the best in the Union.
After the Mexican War, Orthodox Jews from Russia, encouraged by the state government of Zion, begin settling the Willamette Valley [the OTL Mormon migration did not occur, as Brigham Young and his followers were allowed to settle among the enlightened and tolerant residents of Zion].
The 1856 secession crisis caused by President-elect Benjamin Cohen's promise to "bring the Jubilee" and free every slave by 1865 is quickly resolved, as Federal forces spearheaded by the superbly trained and equipped Zion state militia capture Charleston and arrest the leaders of the rebellion. The property of anyone found guilty of aiding and abetting the rebellion is confiscated and divided among his slaves, and the Cohen government gradually buys the remaing slaves in the South and allows them to homestead in western Kansas and Nebraska, where a thriving mixed population of American-born whites, blacks, and Jewish immigrants from the Russian empire makes these states' economy, education, and society the envy of the United States. Other states begin to restructure their government using tenets taugh in the University of Zion.
The state of Barukh (OTL western Oregon and far northern California), founded by Hasidim, was not admitted to the Union until 1874, due to mainstream Jewish and Christian suspicion of the tightly-knit Hasidic community. Barukh's government, though dominated by the Hasidic courts, proved remarkably competent and fair, though outsiders often complained about the relative restrictiveness of laws concerning public behavior and alcohol consumption.
Due to the very favorable treaties made between Zionists and Sioux Indians in Minnesota, many members of the Dakota tribe converted to Judaism. Inspired by the example, Jewish missionaries visited many of the Native American tribes of the West, converting many to Judaism. Due to more progressive attitudes in TTL America and the fact that American Jews were more inclined to be favorable to coreligionists, dealings with Native Americans were on the whole more enlightened than OTL. Many thriving Native American communities sprang up throughout the West, and the massive Benjamin Territory (OTL Eastern Montana and Wyoming and the western Dakotas) was administered entirely by confederation of native tribes and admitted as a state in 1880.
.....................................................
By 2000, America's population of 350 million is considered the best-educated, wealthiest, and happiest in the world. Despite the country's Jewish majority (Over 66% according to the last census), all religions, cultures, and races can find peace and prosperity in their new land.
Is this something like what you had in mind, David?
Burton K Wheeler
Moderator
Amerijudeowank, my friend!
You're saying the 2000 population figures were the first thing that leaped out as stretching the odds a bit?
Wow, that's pretty damn harsh. I felt the sting of that one and I'm not David.
Burton K Wheeler
Moderator
Wow, that's pretty damn harsh. I felt the sting of that one and I'm not David.
It was meant to be a lighthearted jest, and a half-serious (though banged out in 15 minutes) attempt at a TL. No offense was intended.
The point is did Dickens write the books or not? if so, in what form? I can't imagine Bleak House set in the American West (they had a way of sorting out lawsuits pretty quick) but I suppose you could set Oliver Twist in New York.
If he did not, Hollywood will be disappointed. I am afraid I cannot accept a world without the Muppets' Christmas Carol.
If he did not, Hollywood will be disappointed. I am afraid I cannot accept a world without the Muppets' Christmas Carol.
About the first half of the books would be written by Dickens. The rest will be ghostwritten.