(This is my first effort at putting together a scenario for this board, though I've read many that you all have written, and appreciate all feedback and genuinely wonder what the outcome of these two changes will be for the development of the U.S.)
1782: Philadelphia
On November 7, 1782, Pennsylvania held an election to select the President of their Commonwealth, an office akin to governor in other states. Although already serving as President of Delaware, an office bestowed upon him by that state's General Assembly in October 1781, he managed to present himself as a candidate for the same office in the much larger Pennsylvania. Running against opponent James Potter, who served as Brigadier General for the Pennsylvania Militia who was recognized his contributions to the Revolutionary War effort, he won this election with 41 votes to 32 for Potter.
Dickinson received much of his support from moderates who were looking to return to Pennsylvania politics after the intervening years had seen a great reduction in their authority, especially once the colonies had been severed from Britain, as the Radical Constitution of 1776 in the Commonwealth had stripped those who did not support revolting from power. Dickinson was a careful and cautious man, who worked to reintegrate the state.
But he was also President of another state, and if a different election occurred where Potter wins...
1783: Philadelphia
The Congress of the Confederation were meeting in Philadelphia at the State House as was their regular habit. Not yet known as Independence Hall, the familiar red brick building served for both Pennsylvania affairs and for the Continental Congress as it had in their contemplation of the Declaration of Independence.
And yet, some were not happy. Frustrated by a lack of pay and difficult conditions, there was unrest amongst some who had served in the Continental Army. It wouldn't take much for their anger to become much more pronounced, and on June 17th, an ultimatum was delivered. 400 soldiers stationed in Philadelphia demanded payment from the Congress in an affair known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783.
Where a moderate like John Dickinson refused to engage the soldiers with force as the Congress requested, instead working to amicably settle grievances, President Potter might have behaved differently.
Accepting the need to defend the Congress, Potter might have deployed the Pennsylvania militia, enjoying authority with them from his previous and ongoing service in defense of the Congress. While likely sympathetic to the men who had fought, his willingness and authority to use force as a first action would have soothed the Congress and demonstrated the willingness of Pennsylvania to utilize it's authority in defense of the new regime instead of suffering it.
Where the Congress moved to Princeton, NJ and later New York in concern for their safety, a thwarted Pennsylvania Mutiny has large repercussions.
Potential Changes
1783/4 - The Congress never leaves Philadelphia to settle in New York as their safety is guaranteed.
1790 - The Residence Act passed by the first United States Congress is never considered nor implemented. Prompted by Hamilton but supported by the Southern delegation, the initial impulse to move the national capital from Philadelphia never materializes, with the side effect of leaving the question of how the war debt, mostly amassed by the North, would be divided in need of new resolution.
1791 - Robert Morris' argument for the temporary capital of Philadelphia is much expanded as it becomes recognized as the permanent residence of Congress, perhaps prompting an earlier move of the Pennsylvania State Capital (Harrisburg was chosen in 1812).
What I find myself wondering is how having a northern capital changes future events, especially with regards to how the south views the north. It's obviously more speculative as one moves forward, but having DC as a swamp and Baltimore not between the Federal HQ and the cities of the north might have large ramifications. Your thoughts?
1782: Philadelphia
On November 7, 1782, Pennsylvania held an election to select the President of their Commonwealth, an office akin to governor in other states. Although already serving as President of Delaware, an office bestowed upon him by that state's General Assembly in October 1781, he managed to present himself as a candidate for the same office in the much larger Pennsylvania. Running against opponent James Potter, who served as Brigadier General for the Pennsylvania Militia who was recognized his contributions to the Revolutionary War effort, he won this election with 41 votes to 32 for Potter.
Dickinson received much of his support from moderates who were looking to return to Pennsylvania politics after the intervening years had seen a great reduction in their authority, especially once the colonies had been severed from Britain, as the Radical Constitution of 1776 in the Commonwealth had stripped those who did not support revolting from power. Dickinson was a careful and cautious man, who worked to reintegrate the state.
But he was also President of another state, and if a different election occurred where Potter wins...
1783: Philadelphia
The Congress of the Confederation were meeting in Philadelphia at the State House as was their regular habit. Not yet known as Independence Hall, the familiar red brick building served for both Pennsylvania affairs and for the Continental Congress as it had in their contemplation of the Declaration of Independence.
And yet, some were not happy. Frustrated by a lack of pay and difficult conditions, there was unrest amongst some who had served in the Continental Army. It wouldn't take much for their anger to become much more pronounced, and on June 17th, an ultimatum was delivered. 400 soldiers stationed in Philadelphia demanded payment from the Congress in an affair known as the Pennsylvania Mutiny of 1783.
Where a moderate like John Dickinson refused to engage the soldiers with force as the Congress requested, instead working to amicably settle grievances, President Potter might have behaved differently.
Accepting the need to defend the Congress, Potter might have deployed the Pennsylvania militia, enjoying authority with them from his previous and ongoing service in defense of the Congress. While likely sympathetic to the men who had fought, his willingness and authority to use force as a first action would have soothed the Congress and demonstrated the willingness of Pennsylvania to utilize it's authority in defense of the new regime instead of suffering it.
Where the Congress moved to Princeton, NJ and later New York in concern for their safety, a thwarted Pennsylvania Mutiny has large repercussions.
Potential Changes
1783/4 - The Congress never leaves Philadelphia to settle in New York as their safety is guaranteed.
1790 - The Residence Act passed by the first United States Congress is never considered nor implemented. Prompted by Hamilton but supported by the Southern delegation, the initial impulse to move the national capital from Philadelphia never materializes, with the side effect of leaving the question of how the war debt, mostly amassed by the North, would be divided in need of new resolution.
1791 - Robert Morris' argument for the temporary capital of Philadelphia is much expanded as it becomes recognized as the permanent residence of Congress, perhaps prompting an earlier move of the Pennsylvania State Capital (Harrisburg was chosen in 1812).
What I find myself wondering is how having a northern capital changes future events, especially with regards to how the south views the north. It's obviously more speculative as one moves forward, but having DC as a swamp and Baltimore not between the Federal HQ and the cities of the north might have large ramifications. Your thoughts?