alternatehistory.com

I posted this timeline in another alternate history web site in which Congress fails to pass the 12th Amendment. As a result, the second place finisher becomes Vice President. I have since made minor changes. Hopefully, you will enjoy a twist of history. Without further ado.

1803:
On December 9, three Senators abruptly switch their votes, under pressure from Aaron Burr, who wants to stay Vice President. The 12th Amendment is voted down.

1804:
Due to
Jefferson's becoming President, despite Burr's efforts as an independent candidate, he is beaten out for the Vice Presidency by Governor George Clinton of New York.

1805:
Thomas Jefferson is sworn in as President for a 2nd term.


1809:
As James Madison is sworn in as President, Charles Pinckney becomes Vice President.

1812:
Charles Pinckney retires from politics. President Madison is reelected but New York Governor DeWitt Clinton gets the Vice Presidency.

1816:
Secretary of State James Monroe defeats Vice President DeWitt Clinton to win the Presidency.

1820:
President Monroe is reelected in a rematch against Vice President Clinton.

1825:
Andrew Jackson is sworn in as Vice President of the
United States, having lost to John Quincy Adams.

1829:
John Quincy Adams becomes the first President to be demoted to Vice President, as Andrew Jackson is inaugurated into the highest office.

1837:
Martin Van Buren is stuck with a Vice President, William Henry Harrison, who he despises.

1841:
Martin Van Buren becomes Vice President, instead of President.
Harrison takes office.

Harrison's death on April 4 leaves Van Buren back in the White House, much to the chagrin of the Whigs. They all resign from the cabinet, except Daniel Webster, Secretary of State.

1844:
Seizing on Whig anger, Henry Clay is nominated for President.

Democrats nominate James K. Polk for President, in place of incumbent President Martin Van Buren.

Polk trounces Clay, but Clay still gets the Vice Presidency.

1845:
Polk is sworn in as President, with Clay as Vice President.

Vice President Clay criticizes the annexation of
Texas, warning that it will mean "war for more slavery.”

1848:
The Whigs nominate Zachary Taylor for President.

The Democrats nominate Lewis Cass for President.

Taylor wins. Cass becomes VP.

1849:
President Taylor takes office a day late, due to Inauguration Day being a Sunday. (He refuses to be sworn in on "the Sabbath".)

1850:
President Taylor dies suspiciously on July 8. He is succeeded by Vice President Cass.

1852:
President Cass is nominated for a 2nd term by the Democratic Party.

General Winfield Scott wins the Whig nomination.

Scott defeats Cass, who again becomes Vice President.

1854:
President Scott dies unexpectedly. Vice President Cass succeeds him

1856:
The newly formed Republican Party nominates Colonel John C. Fremont for President.

James Buchanan is nominated for President by the Democrats.

Final results of the 1856 elections give Buchanan the White House.
Fremont becomes the first bastard to assume the Vice Presidency.

1860:
President Buchanan, Senator Stephen A. Douglas of
Illinois, Vice President Fremont, former Governor William H. Seward of New York, and Senator John C. Breckinridge of Kentucky all run for President.

On December 1, the House of Representatives barely breaks the Electoral tie, electing John C. Fremont as President, with Senator Breckinridge as Vice President. The South, while not pleased with the results, decides that it has enough influence in the Senate to justify delaying secession.

1861:
In a compromise reached by President Fremont, Vice President Breckenridge and the Congressional leadership, slavery will be preserved where it exists until 1890. It will not be introduced into any new territories nor exist in any new states. In 1890, each slave state’s legislature shall vote to either adopt a program of manumission, or secede peaceably from the
Union. The compromise is incredibly unexpected, but fairly popular as it shuffles the problem of slavery away from the current generation and seems a wise way to keep the peace. It is opposed by abolitionists and some Southern Congressmen, but many call it a brilliant solution

1864:
Fremont is defeated for a 2nd term by Governor Horatio Seymour of New York, who has united the Democratic Party behind him.

1865:
Horatio Seymour is sworn in as President. John Fremont is demoted to Vice President.

1868:
The Republicans nominate Senator Abraham Lincoln for President.

Abraham Lincoln is elected President.
Seymour will be demoted to Vice President.

1872:
President Lincoln announces that he will not seek reelection. Republicans nominate Secretary of State William Seward.

Democrats nominate Senator Andrew Johnson of
Tennessee for President.

William Seward dies of a heart attack on October 10. In a special convention, Republicans nominate Salmon Chase.

Salmon Chase is elected President. Johnson becomes Vice President.

1873:
On May 7, President Chase dies in
New York City. Andrew Johnson becomes President.

1875:
On July 31, President Andrew Johnson dies of a stroke at his home in
Tennessee. With the Presidency and Vice Presidency vacant, Senate President Pro Tempore Thomas Ferry (R-MI) becomes President.

1876:
President Ferry announces that he will not seek the Presidency in his own right.

New York Governor Samuel Tilden defeats Rutherford B. Hayes and becomes President.

1880:
President Tilden dies of a heart attack. He had been in declining health during his term of office. Hayes becomes President.

Retired General Winfield Hancock defeats Rutherford Hayes and is elected President. Hayes is demoted to the Vice Presidency.

1881:
President Hancock is assassinated by Charles Guiteau on July 2. Hayes returns to the Presidency.

1884:
Governor Grover Cleveland of
New York defeats James Blaine and is elected President. A few Republicans led by Theodore Roosevelt campaigned for Democrat Cleveland. Blaine takes the Vice Presidency as a consolation prize.

1885:
With a reputation for corruption, Vice President Blaine resigns the office on December 23 to avoid almost certain impeachment from Congress.

1888:
Benjamin Harrison follows in the footsteps of his father, William Henry Harrison, and is elected President. Grover
Cleveland is demoted to Vice President.

1892:
In a rematch, Vice President Cleveland defeats President Benjamin Harrison.

1896:
Vice President Harrison announces he is retiring when he completes his term of office. Republicans nominate Ohio Governor William McKinley. Democrats nominate Congressman William Jennings Bryan of Nebraska.

McKinley defeats
Bryan in a landslide and is elected President. Free silver Democrats will still have a voice in the new administration as Bryan will become Vice President.
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