alternatehistory.com

One of the more "popular" AH factoids is that Garibaldi offered to fight for the Union in the American Civil War, but was politely rebuffed by Lincoln. Another pop fact is that Russia (article may be editorialized) was diplomatically involved in the war. What other wacky facts are there for AH potential?

* The king of Siam offered to send elephants to President Lincoln as presents in 1860, who politely declined. What if he offered to send war elephants later on, and Lincoln approves?

* U.S. Camel Corps- also predate ACW, but if they kept up the program we could have zouaves riding camels fighting it out in Texas.

* Australia was affected by the ACW, mostly because of the C.S.S. Shenandoah hanging out in the area, but also because there were fears of either Union or Imperial Russian attack.

* San Marino is adorable.

In the spring of 1861, shortly before the beginning of the American Civil War, the government of San Marino wrote a letter (in "perfect Italian on one side, and imperfect but clear English on the other"[6]) to United States President Abraham Lincoln, proposing an "alliance" between the two democratic nations and offering the President honorary San Marino citizenship. Lincoln accepted the offer, writing (with his Secretary of State, William H. Seward) in reply that San Marino proved that "government founded on republican principles is capable of being so administered as to be secure and enduring."[7]

Presaging a theme he would bring to the fore, using similar language, in his Gettysburg Address in 1863, Lincoln wrote: “You have kindly adverted to the trial through which this Republic is now passing. It is one of deep import. It involves the question whether a Representative republic, extended and aggrandized so much as to be safe against foreign enemies can save itself from the dangers of domestic faction. I have faith in a good result...."[6]

* Morocco, despite having been one of the first countries the young U.S. had fought after independence, resolutely affirmed support for the Union over the Confederacy.

* Dutch Suriname could have been a destination for freemen.
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