NEW BIRTH OF FREEDOM: The Wilmot Proviso Passes
- Thread starter TheHedgehog
- Start date
The next update that I'm working on deals with the beginning of reconstruction. Basically, under Fremont things start out radical, so Wade-Davis is passed, there's limited land redistribution (which I've mentioned is implemented in Georgia and Florida), and some other stuff. Then, a disgruntled Confederate veteran assassinates Fremont, and Lincoln's in power. I've already given quite a bit away, so all I'll say about Lincoln is that, while he's certainly no Andrew Johnson, his more conciliatory approach to the south quickly angers the powerful Radical Freedomites...
Ficboy
Banned
Wow almost exactly like OTL's Reconstruction. Given the butterflies, I don't think everything will go the same way. That doesn't mean there can't be some events occurring as is but since the Civil War had a different start and context the post-war climate is quite to be considerably different.
Its not 'exactly like OTL'. It follows a similar trajectory to OTL, but it starts out with a slew of radical stuff - land redistribution (40 Acres and a Mule type stuff), Wade-Davis, which Lincoln vetoed OTL, but Fremont signs (that prevents the southern states from readmission until after 1868). Lincoln attempts to implement something similar to his OTL plans, he tries to replace Wade-Davis and the Ironclad Oath with his 10% plan, which Radicals dislike for being to soft on the south. Then, when he isnt renominated by the Freedom Party, his supporters convince him to make a third party bid (not 100% sure about the plausibility, but I want to throw the 1864 election to the House), and he denies John Sherman an electoral majority. So there are some major differences, but also some similarities (because some things are gonna be the same no matter what)
Ficboy
Banned
I doubt that Fremont could be assassinated since he is a military general and explorer with years of experience more so than Abraham Lincoln. It's unlikely Booth would even successfully kill him assuming if the bodyguard are at Ford's Theatre or a different theatre instead.
I didn't say Booth killed him. Fremont is (most likely, this is subject to change) assassinated at a train station in Baltimore by an angry, racist Confederate veteran. Security was far less stringent than as compared to now, so an assassin could easily get through under the right circumstances and kill the President. Booth was able to get in because Lincoln's guard had stepped away, and he was able to sneak in and shoot the president before making a (pretty dramatic) escape. So, Fremont's guard steps away from him on the platform to inquire about the status of the luggage, when the assassin has his opening, steps up as if to shake Fremont's hand, then pulls out a gun, shoots him in the abdomen and chest, and flees (but gets tackled by the crowd).
Ficboy
Banned
Didn't he just avoid an assassination attempt in Baltimore when TTL's Civil War began. I don't really think he's going to be assassinated given the butterflies from the Wilmot Proviso being passed as opposed to OTL.
There were a gazillion attempts on Lincoln OTL, and he still got whacked. I don't see why Fremont couldnt be assassinated. If someone from a world where McKinley wasnt killed wrote a timeline where he was, that could be criticized as implausible. Besides, Fremont's assassination is central to my plans for reconstruction, so I'm not going to change it.
Yeah. Small things have big effects. I mentioned a few comments ago that Fremont's guard steps away at a train station (probably not Baltimore, maybe New York) to ask a porter about the President's luggage or something, and then the assassin asks to shake the president's hand, shoots him, and flees only to be tackled by the crowd in the station. All perfectly plausible, if a perfect storm.
Ficboy
Banned
New York City is in the heart of Yankeedom in contrast to Washington DC which is close to Virginia the heart of the Confederacy. I don't know how a Confederate veteran is going to assassinate Fremont in a city that's so big and vast not to mention being located in the North.
New York's mayor, Fernando Wood, and Governor, Horatio Seymour, were both in favor of making peace with the Confederates. It was the site of downright brutal draft riots. It was a nest of Confederate spies, some of whom tried to burn the city down. There were even some proposals (most likely unserious ones) for NYC to secede from the Union. So its more divided than say, Boston or Cleveland was during that time. Besides, its pretty easy to catch a train north, sneak a gun in your pocket, and get close to the President, especially in a time when no President had been assassinated. And of course, the Veteran is almost immediately tackled by crowds of well-wishers.
Ficboy
Banned
Well there was just as much Unionist sentiment there as secessionism and pro-Confederate sentiment.
Yeah, but what I'm saying is that its plausible for a Confederate veteran to go to New York, and shoot the President. I'm not denying there was strong Unionist sentiment in NYC, just saying that there was also pro-Confederate sentiment among a large minority.
Ficboy
Banned
Maybe. But Washington DC is a better option given that its near Virginia and Vandalia.
My reasoning is that NY is safe enough to not need stringent security, but not safe enough that Fremont cant get assassinated, whereas DC is close enough to the south that there's a higher chance of assassinations. That being said, I do see your point.
There's nothing stopping a southerner from buying a train ticket. And just cause Frémont is a vet doesn't mean his combat experience will prevent him from getting shot at Point Blank. Garfield and McKinley were both civil war veterans and were assassinated
So? Army experience doesnt mean anything in terms of assassination. Jackson was a brilliant General, and he was only saved from assassination because both pistols misfired.