North Secedes early USA

In early American history, there was a dispute of some kind, cant remember it, and the north was ready to secede from the union. What would happen if they did? Is the South going to war to restore the Union?(Probably not)
 
In early American history, there was a dispute of some kind, cant remember it, and the north was ready to secede from the union. What would happen if they did? Is the South going to war to restore the Union?(Probably not)

The Hartford Convention back during the war of 1812? It was the downfall of the Federalist party since they were the major backers of the secession.

Personally, I doubt it would happen but if it I could imagine the south would want there northern brethren back since that was where they where shipping all their cotton out of. But I don't really know however.
 
The Essex Junto in 1786 and 1804 wanted to get not just New England to secede, but all states to the Potomac, thusly including Maryland. They were focused on commercial, maritime, and urban interests that were primarily in the North.
 
I like to think that if the North seceedes, the South will be too weak to expand slavery, resulting in Mexico kicking its ass once it tries.
 
I like to think that if the North seceedes, the South will be too weak to expand slavery, resulting in Mexico kicking its ass once it tries.

What he's talking about is an equivalent of the Hartford convention, which means its only New England which secedes. Now, while New England was wealthy and heavily populated, it leaving does not leave the United States weak by any means. Pennsylvania is still present, as is possibly New York. In addition, the US still maintains its hold on the Louisiana Purchase and the Ohio country. Given Mexico's early history it is doubtful that it will end up stronger than the US even with New England gone.
 
OTOH By 1800, America was divided into several distinct geographical regions with their own distinctive agriculture and distinctive societies.
There never was much arable land in New England and by 1800 all of it was under the plow, so NE turned to logging, ship-building, fishing and industrialization to employ its expanding population. Expansion westwards was blocked by the Green Mountains, Appalachian Mountains, etc.

OTOH Southern States had longer growing seasons and vast plantations down at tide-water level. Late (Scots-Irish) immigrants were forced higher and higher into the Appalachian Mountains where they tried subsistence agriculture in ever leaner "hollows."

OP's suggestion that an industrializing New England secede from their "backward" agricultural cousins to the south has a certain logic, dare we say snobbery?
 
No, he's not being snobby at all, and neither is the suggestion.

Yankees settled upstate New York and the Great Lakes, BTW.
 
In early American history, there was a dispute of some kind, cant remember it, and the north was ready to secede from the union. What would happen if they did? Is the South going to war to restore the Union?(Probably not)

It really does depend on the time period in which it takes place. TBH, unless the immediate POD involves the Essex Junto, you'd be hardpressed to come up with anything believable prior to 1812, not without a POD either at least back to around the turn of the century, and/or involving something truly substantial, politically speaking.

But, with that aside, either way, the South may not necessarily want to do much; if everybody north of the Mason-Dixon Line leaves, they would be hard-pressed to crush the rebellion anyway, as even then, the North had much more in the way of industry.
 
No, he's not being snobby at all, and neither is the suggestion.

Yankees settled upstate New York and the Great Lakes, BTW.

As well as a good deal of Ohio and most of the west coast. Basically anywhere you can find small old liberal arts colleges in surprising numbers was probably settled by Yankees. They also settled across the US during gold rushes, generally not as prospectors but as shop owners, many of the richest men on the fronteir were yankee. Also there would be a good chance if New England seceded, New York would follow.
 
The map is from this book:

greaterNewEngland.png
 
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