The 1796 US Presidential Elections in US history simply because it would determine who would be America's leader after Washington. In OTL, it was John Adams but what if it was another, more shady figure in American history?
Update #1: The Cursed Cold
The United States of America was at a crossroads in the year 1796. The man who led them during the revolution and the main who helped them become a stable country, George Washington of Virginia, was stepping down from his position as President believing it was time for the country to move on after him. The first immediate Candidates were Vice President John Adams and Secretary of State Thomas Jefferson. Adams was a very experienced Diplomat and knew how the world functioned while he was also a key figure in several legal motions. Adams was also the brother of Samuel Adams, a famed Son of Liberty that was well liked and well received around the country. Of course, there were major concerns, the most pressing of which being whether or not Adams would be committed to the job of President of the United States. The reason for this rumor was due to the fact that several times, John Adams had left his post as Vice President to go to his homestate of Massachusetts and stay away from the hustle and bustle of politics. This was his biggest weakness and his opponent would use it to the best effect possible.
Thomas Jefferson was, to say the least, just as experienced in Foreign Policy as John Adams. Having been in Paris for most of the Revolution, He and Benjamin Franklin were able to get France to begin the path to democracy. This did, however, turn violent as the French Revolution showed the gory parts of a Revolution. Still, as Secretary of State, there was little anyone could argue against with the only big concern being that he was a slaveowner. This, however, was of little concern to the citizens of the United States. With Jefferson sure to be Nominated by the Democratic-Republican Party, the race was looking to be John Adams vs Thomas Jefferson with a narrow win for either one in the Electoral College, which decided the President in the country.
However, on the morning of October 29th, 1796, Thomas Jefferson was seen to be sick with a cold.
[1] When looked by a physician, it was determined he would not be ready to run or be President until after the Election. Due to this, the Democratic-Republican Party scrambled to find a replacement and while some suggested Party co-founder James Madison, most support rallied behind Senator Aaron Burr of New York. Burr, humble from the Nomination Declared his running mate would be George Clinton, a fellow New Yorker. This was a good decision for the Democratic-Republicans as once the Election was called, it would be clear who won.
Throughout the Election, Burr, ever the shady figure, campainged on the ideas of less Government and less taxes while also attacking Adams on his own weaknesses, stating he was not suited to be President due to how easy it was to upset him. Adams would prove this right as he launched false attack after attack on Burr. Finally, on Election Day, the clear winner was declDecl to be Aaron Burr with 100 Electoral Votes to Adams' 39. Adams rejected the idea of becoming Vice President a third time and left in a huff, allowing George Clinton to become Vice President. On March 4th, 1797, Burr was inaugurated as the 2nd President of the United States. Little did the small Country Know but from this moment onwards, they were meant for truly great things.
The Election of 1796 ended with President Aaron Burr getting a 61 landslide Electoral Vote Victory over John Adams. This would unknowingly set the newly made counCou on a path to Glory the likes of which have never been repeated again.
[1] - This is the main POD. In OTL, Jefferson was all fine and dandy, which allowed him to run. Here however, he was sick and couldn't run so Burr, who many agree was better at many things than Adams, replaces Jefferson easily
So, thoughts on my first Timeline? I hope I hooked most of your with the first update becaBec more will come soon.