Early CSA Defeat

There are several PODs that could lead to Richmond and most of Virginia falling to the Union by end of 1862. That alone is going to severely impare the CSA's war effort. It robs it of a lot of manpower, food, and industrial supplies besides the huge morale/prestige blow.

Combined with subsequent operations into North Carolina and Mississippi River, it's possible that the war could end in 1863. Early 1864 at latest. A CSA collapse in 1862 is possible, but I think unlikely.

I think after a significant victory, say the fall of Richmond, Lincoln would issue an ultimatum that unless the CSA ended its rebellion, that he would isue the Emancipation Proclamation. While there will be Southerners who would want to take the offer, I think there would still be too many fire eaters to prevent the rebellion ending so soon. So emancipation will happen.

Quick victories will enhance the Republican's prestige and embolden them. I don't see amendments abolishing slavery being significantly delayed from OTL. They might even be sped up. TTL won't have the morale sapping bloodshed of Grant's Overland Campaign so it'll be much harder for Democrats to accuse Lincoln of slaughtering white men to free negroes. What we might see is some form of compensated emancipation, or an extended indentured servitude after emancipation as fig leafs to cooperating Southerners to surrender or to buy off the Border States.
 
Alexander Stephans would take over. That would be a disaster as he was even worse than Davis. :eek::eek::eek:

Was he really that worse than Davis?

What we might see is some form of compensated emancipation, or an extended indentured servitude after emancipation as fig leafs to cooperating Southerners to surrender or to buy off the Border States.

Agreed, I can see Lincoln using an earlier Antietam to push emancipation. The proclamation ITTL would probably be very specific about how only those actively rebelling would have all their "property" seized. Implying that those who came back to the fold might be let off the hook and to placate the Border States.
 
Alexander Stephans would take over. That would be a disaster as he was even worse than Davis. :eek::eek::eek:

Was he really that worse than Davis?

AIUI, Stephens was even more "Confederate" than Davis. The Center could not hold under a leader who would put Confederate Principle over National Survival.

Agreed, I can see Lincoln using an earlier Antietam to push emancipation. The proclamation ITTL would probably be very specific about how only those actively rebelling would have all their "property" seized. Implying that those who came back to the fold might be let off the hook and to placate the Border States.

A devestating Union victory at Antietam leading to the Confederates being cutoff from their escape routes (except for part of Jackson's Corps and Stuart's cavalry) could lead to an immediate EP and perhaps, with an 1862 fall of Richmond (by Christmas), an 1863 passage of the 13th Amendment.:cool:
 
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