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Chapter One
Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to my very first timeline! I thought it might be fitting for the 4th of July to start on my first timeline: an American one.

The format for this TL will be a mixture of dryer, more textbook-like pieces to move the story along and smaller, more personal narrative bits, called "interludes" to add character.

"Why is it 'semi-dystopic?'" you might ask. Well, dystopias are horribly depressing. While this world will end up pretty crapsack, it won't be as bad as WMIS or Decades of Darkness even at its worst, and it will always have at least one plucky nation or group of good guys to cheer on! Come one, come all, and enjoy Not Quite a Monarch!


(As always, critiques and comments are more then welcome! I always love to learn more about history, and this is a great chance to brush up on the American stuff. :))


CHAPTER ONE: STUMBLING BLOCK

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George Washington, First Princeps of the United States of America
The year was 1787. George Washington, the quintessential American figure, had been drawn out of his life of seclusion and relaxation and back into the spotlight. A rabble-rousing group of rebels led by none other than Daniel Shays and Job Shattuck, his own former soldiers, had hardened the other Founding Fathers’ resolves to change, alter, or maybe even completely replace the so-called “Articles of Confederation.”

Washington didn’t think much of the farmers. But, that a paltry force of four thousand civilians and militia came so close to threatening a government that, theoretically, controlled a land more than twice the size of Britain scared him. It was with such a distracted mind that Washington hurried down his stairs away from his bedchamber, as best he could, in order to reach the study and begin writing to his friends and enemies at the Congress. And, in such a hurry, he tripped. The general who had led the famous Continental Army in defeating the most powerful nation on Earth tumbled down his stairs. At the end of the flight, he lay still. [1]

Martha found him still unconscious. In the next few weeks, she called for doctors, surgeons, and friends. Washington spent the weeks drifting in and out of consciousness. He was lucky to have made a recovery, the doctors told him. Most men his age would have died after a fall like that, the doctors told him. He only wished they would leave him alone. He liked the silence.

Washington would go on to make a full recovery from his fall, save for what he described as “occasional and piercing headaches” in his letter to the Congress. But, those who knew him closely swore he was like a different person. Shortly after his visiting Mount Vernon, Madison would describe Washington as “more complacent… less personable, and all-together less complete a man.” Washington’s behavior post-fall was different in all aspects of his life. He became even more trusting of his friends and less of those he perceived as his enemies. He became prone to temper at times, though in most of his life he was even mellower; friends were worried that he didn’t care about anything at all from time to time.

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One man, however, was very happy about Washington’s new “condition”: Alexander Hamilton. When the Congress assembled to discuss a replacement to the Articles of Confederation at the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia later that year, Hamilton pushed hard for a radically more centralized government. Not only did he call for the federal government to have more power, he called for a centralized figure, stronger than the Presidents of the past. The “Senatorial Princeps,” or simply “Princeps,” that Hamilton proposed would draw strongly from the old Roman Republic and even Empire in its inspiration. One man, he argued, would have to hold strong power in order for a republic to function correctly; the masses must not be given total, unchecked power, or chaos would reign. On his side was Rufus King, George Washington, and, with Washington, a reluctant James Madison.

Their system was the Federal System. Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson were the main opposition, declaring that the general public should have more of a say and that such a strong leader as Hamilton suggested was like accepting another king. Jefferson and Franklin suggested a much weaker President that was still stronger than the current figurehead and a stronger— but still weak— federal government than the Articles provided— the Confederate System. John Adams maintained a resolve to compromise, but he was shut down early in the debates.

Hamilton, in the end, got his way. The federal government would hold all the powers of OTL’s, but the real different was the Princeps. Washington was elected as Princeps with around 65% of the vote, while around 35% went to Benjamin Franklin and his coalition. It was thought by many Confederates that his lack of sons and general upstanding behavior would keep the position from becoming the role of king.

The new Princeps Washington’s powers were nebulous. What was specifically laid out was that he shared control of the army with its Director (with final say belonging to the Princeps), he could sign or veto legislation, he could propose legislation, he could settle international treaties, he could meet with ambassadors, he could have his own optional cabinet of advisors, he could grant reprieves and pardons, he could convene or adjourn Congress, and he could nominate his choices for the new Supreme Court of the United States. The Princeps did not have a position like Vice President, instead having two Auxiliary Directors, forming a sort of triumvirate, who were to advise the Principes and fill the positions of Director of the Treasury and Director of War.

Future Principes were to be nominated by the old Princeps or the Congress for a term of eight years, and a currently presiding Princeps could re-run for the office an unlimited number of times or appoint anyone they wish to rule in their place. The Princeps could not remove his Auxiliary Directors from their positions until he ran again, in which case he could run for re-election with different Auxiliary Directors. The Princeps could be impeached for “unrespectable or malicious behavior.” The most controversial part of the new position was this appointing of successors. The Constitution allowed an aging Princeps to nominate anyone as a successor, including his son or a friend, and, as long as that nominee gained the majority of the vote, keep his dynasty going indefinitely. In essence, at least in Jefferson and Franklin’s view, the position was that of a king.

However, in the case that a Princeps would die along with his successor or without a successor chosen, the power would not fall to the next of kin, but rather the Auxiliary Director of War, a small consolation. If he were to die at the same time, the position was to go to the Auxiliary Director of the Treasury, and then to the President of the Congress, and then to the Speaking President of the Senate, and then to a successor decided on by a vote in the Legislature.

But, the people were glad for the freedom to vote for their Congressmen, who in turn were to be trusted to vote in the “peoples’ choice” for Princeps every eight years. The popular view was mostly that of a race for power between Washington and Franklin, and, as they much preferred the victor, Washington, there was relatively little unrest.

The rest of the Constitution was crafted much as Madison wanted, with assistance from Hamilton and a few compromises with Jefferson. The Bill of Rights was passed through with some complaint from Hamilton, but compromises with Jefferson’s coalition needed to be made. The final document included eight amendments to the constitution:

  1. Freedom of religion, assembly, press, speech, and petition.

  2. Right for each state to maintain its own military in addition to the federal military.

  3. The right to deny quartering of soldiers in one’s home.

  4. Freedom from unreasonable searches and seizures by the government.

  5. Right to due process of law, freedom from self-incrimination, and the prevention of double jeopardy.

  6. Rights of accused people (fair and speedy trial, trial by jury in civil cases, etc.)

  7. Freedom from cruel and unusual punishment.

  8. Other rights not explicitly mentioned are reserved to the individual states.
The vote for Hamilton’s Federal System over Jefferson’s Confederate System almost tore the union apart. Though Franklin managed to assuage the Confederates, as its supporters were known, the argument moved on to representation, and that was an issue nobody seemed to agree on. Should the new nation represent each state equally, with one representative, or proportionally? If a representational system is established, should slaves be counted as people, as property, or as something in between? Just as it seemed that the convention would be torn apart by the red-faced arguments being yelled across the room from each side, Washington and Franklin desperately trying to keep the peace, a man named Edmund Randolph called for compromise.

The governor of Virginia, and its delegate, and former aide-de-camp of General Washington, he claimed he represented both North and South, Federal and Confederate, aristocrat and layman. His compromise was a reluctant one, born out of a need to maintain the union, and termed the Virginia Compromise (or The Great Compromise of the Constitutional Convention.) The Virginia Compromise barely passed, but it did, and it became a part of the Constitution. It had four main parts:

  1. A Congress of Representatives would be assembled with two representatives for each state, voted on by the people of their state.

  2. A Popular Senate would also be assembled with the amount of Senators a state would receive directly based on that state’s population, based on a census held every ten years. [2]

  3. Slaves would count as 4/5 a person, which Jefferson had advocated for in his Popular Plan.

  4. The Federal Government would receive a centralized treasury in an attempt to compromise with Hamilton’s Federalists, because this argument was also a major point of contention.
Princeps Washington's pick for Supreme Court Chief Justice was John Jay, a legal expert and, for the most part, a loyal Federalist. The Supreme Court was to have one Chief Justice to preside over their cases and six other justices: three Confederates and three Federalists, of varying loyalty, from the precedent set by the new Princeps Washington after Hamilton's advisoral suggestion. If a tie was to be reached through judges abstaining, unable to be present, or from some other reason, the law stated that the Princeps would cast the tie-breaking vote.

And so, with the rest of the new Constitution drafted, and with Princeps Washington elected by the Congress, the Constitutional Congress adjourned. Every state would accept the new Constitution, even though it would meet with popular resistance in the South, and George Washington soon formally took power with Alexander Hamilton as his Director of the Treasury and Henry Knox as his Director of War for his Auxiliary Directors.

The day was September 17, 1787. A new age had emerged in America. An age she may not be ready for.

[1] Our PoD!
[2] The Congress of Representatives is often shortened to just "Congress," while the Popular Senate is often referred to as "the Senate." Collectively, they are referred to as the Legislature.
 
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Interlude One
CHAPTER ONE: STUMBLING BLOCK, INTERLUDE

The United States needed a capital. And the Legislature, of all things, couldn’t agree on where. Some wanted it to remain in Pennsylvania, some wanted it in Boston, and Jefferson had the ridiculous notion that it would be best off in Richmond. George Washington ran his hands through what remained of his powdered hair as he sat staring at his desk. He often did this.


As usual, Alexander Hamilton sat with him, ink and paper at work, an eager, thoughtful face tilted upward at the sky. Henry Knox was not present for this particular meeting; he was off worrying about military budget with some legislators. The sound of pen on parchment scratched through the small New York office as Washington sighed. He had only been Princeps for a month and it was already wearing on him. Washington’s own paper was blank. He couldn’t find it in him to care where the capital should go. Did it really matter? It was just a bunch of bricks in a city, anyways.


“Thank you for naming me your successor, Princeps Washington, sir,” Hamilton said from his seat. “It is an honor.” He had put his papers down and was staring at the Princeps with a strange look.

Hamilton was right, Washington thought at least. His original pick for heir, Lafayette, would never be accepted by the public. A foreign Frenchman as Princeps? Preposterous. No matter if Washington considered him a son or not, he trusted Hamilton and his judgement, and that was that. Plus, Lafayette had seemed eager to return to his home country of France and serve there. Washington would miss the man, though. Oh, but he was distracted again. He had to answer Hamilton. He would have to let that man know that he was just too talkative sometimes. He could suffer to allow a man his silence.

“Please. I’ve told you, Mister Washington will suffice.” Washington offered Hamilton a half-smile in recognition. “And you have earned it, Mister Hamilton. You have distinguished yourself well. You work hard.”


The young Auxiliary Director smiled and turned back to his paper. “Thank you, Mister Washington. Now, about the capital. I think this is a good idea, this idea of Adam's. A city right on the border between North and South. Somewhere on the Maryland-Virginia line, perhaps? Right beneath the Mason-Dixon, so they get what they want, but not too much. We may even be able to get them to help pay the war debts in return. But I’m thinking of taking it a step farther; what if we were to build a completely new city? We can take some swampland somewhere and turn it into a new Rome! Marble buildings, monuments, memorials.... What do you think of that, Mister Washington? Mister Washington?”


Hamilton turned around to see Washington rubbing his left leg, wincing. Feeling Hamilton’s alarmed eyes on him, Washington quickly returned to his blank paper and pretended to think.


“Mister Washington, are you quite all right?”


Washington didn't answer.


"Mister Washington? I can call the doctors if you wish, sir, no trouble at all. I--"


Washington pounded his fist on the table, tipping and spilling his ink. It ran like black blood across the empty paper and off his desk. “I am perfectly fine, Mister Hamilton," he said through gritted teeth. "Nothing… nothing serious at all. You were saying?”


A moment passed by as Hamilton sat, shocked.


"You were saying?"


Hamilton reluctantly continued with his idea.


"Well, Mister Washington, I believe that if we...."
 
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Chapter Two
CHAPTER TWO: DEATH OF A GENERAL

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"George Washington as the Roman Idol, Jupiter" by William Rush, 1826,
constructed for the Resplendent Hall on the Golden (50th) Anniversary of the United States.

George Washington, first Princeps of the United States, was dying. He had fallen moderately ill eight days earlier, on November 2nd of 1787, but it looked for a few days that he may be getting better. He sat up from his bed after the eighth day of the sickness and walked around his office; he answered a few letters from the Legislature. He steadily improved the next few days, and by the eleventh day of his sickness, he had recovered enough to meet with his Auxiliary Directors and help finalize their plans for the new capital. But, on the eleventh night, he suddenly withdrew back into the early symptoms of the sickness. Except this time, they were worse.


Much worse.


The doctors kept him in his bed; they told him it was anthrax. [1] They had excised the tumor from his leg on the day he first fell ill (Nov. 2), but there wasn’t much else they could do this far into the infection. He shouldn’t have kept it a secret for so long, he overheard them telling Martha. It was the fall, she said. It had changed him. Well, he couldn’t argue with that. He certainly didn’t feel like the same man. Where was the calm, forceful general who inspired all those around him? Nobody had known him for months. No, Washington was not the same man, and he knew it. He passed in and out of consciousness in the days ahead, awaking to alternating cold and hot fevers and wracking coughs. His leg hurt and itched insatiably under his thick blankets. He almost preferred the restful sleep to this waking nightmare. At least then, he wasn’t in pain, and the doctors weren’t scuttling about his bedside, forcing him to swallow whiskey and mercury concoctions or rubbing beetle paste on his neck. Or, most uncomfortably, bleeding his extremities to help assuage his swelling. Well, at least they had the decency to hang ropes across his New York office’s streets to impede traffic. No carriage wheels or horse hooves on cobblestone would betray him his blissful silence.


In one of his brief moments of complete clarity, he called for Martha, ever at his bedside, to bring him Alexander. He could feel death approaching, and he had parting words for his heir. For his nation. The Auxiliary Director hurried to his old general’s bedside. The only other person in the room besides the Princeps and his Director was Tobias Lear, Washington’s loyal secretary and stalwart guardian in his last days. Lear would later record an account of what was said between Washington and Hamilton, however accurate it may really be.


——————————————————————————————————————————


According to Lear’s account, Washington thanked Hamilton for coming, and then warned him about his hotheadedness, urging him to be calm in his decisions for America’s future. He then proceeded to urge him to stay out of foreign affairs. He commanded the future Princeps to be just with his power, expressing his dissatisfaction at how nebulous they had been written to be. Through hacking, dry coughs, George Washington urged Hamilton to “…lead this new nation of ours in a steadfast direction, holding against the winds of our times.” He then gestured Lear to come over to the bed, and ordered him to have his body buried at Mount Vernon, where it belonged.


Then, he addressed both men with what were to be his last recorded words.


“I am not afraid to go to my Creator. I know the silent hand of Providence guides this great nation of ours, and I trust its leaders to accept this guidance well. Gentlemen, go in peace. I am content.”

And so, on November 13th, 1787, only 58 days into his rule, the first Princeps of the United States, George Washington, died in a bed in New York City, New York, leaving the fate of his nation and its people in his Legislature-approved successor: Alexander Hamilton.
[1] This is actually OTL, give or take a few days. But, he was stronger having not taken that fall, and he reported it immediately rather than keep it a secret due to TTL's erratic personality change.
 
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(...)

And so, on November 13th, 1787, only 58 days into his rule, the first Princeps of the United States, George Washington, died in a bed in New York City, New York, leaving the fate of his nation and its people in his Legislature-approved successor: Alexander Hamilton.

I'll just leave this here..

"How does a bastard, orphan, son of a whore and a
Scotsman,
dropped in the middle of a forgotten
Spot in the Caribbean
by providence, impoverished, in squalor
Grow up to be not quite a monarch and a scholar?"
 
Next update coming up soon, I just have to finish up on the last part. Here's where things start to get bumpy. Comments, critiques are welcome, even if you don't have much to say. I need some feedback, guys! :coldsweat:
 
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Interlude Two
CHAPTER TWO: DEATH OF A GENERAL, INTERLUDE

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Federal Hall, first capitol building of the United States,
as it would have appeared on the afternoons of the inaugurations of Principes Washington and Hamilton.

“Alexander Hamilton, deliberately chosen Heir of Former Princeps George Washington, in the Trust of Our Legislature in your Duty and Reverence to God and Country, repeat after me.”


John Jay, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court, recited the oath aloud at the balcony of Federal Hall for Alexander Hamilton to repeat. This would be the second inauguration in one year, and curious spectators gathered all around to watch their new Princeps be sworn in.


“I do solemnly swear this day, November 15th, 1787, [1] that I will defend Man’s God-given, Inalienable Rights through preserving the tenets of our Constitution and ruling with the blind Hand of Liberty no matter the consequences for Me and my House.”


Hamilton repeated the oath to wild applause. He took the same Anglican Bible Washington had kissed on his Inauguration Day and did the same. More applause. He sat down at a hastily procured, yet ornate, chair and table centerpiece and signed a document with the same words he just repeated, ad verbum. More applause. Inside, Hamilton smiled. He could get used to this Princeps thing.


As he strode down the steps of Federal Hall’s balcony, kissing babies and shaking hands professionally, he thought about Washington. He was deeply saddened by Washington’s death, the same as all of the Founding Fathers, really. No matter what anyone’s political views, he had been a friend and a figure to look up to. Hamilton remembered his final personal words to him in a sudden chill of dread. The beloved figure had warned him. Be just. Don’t get caught up in Europe. Don’t get cocky. The new Princeps took a deep breath. Simple. Everything was under control. In the meantime, all he had to do was play to the public opinion. However much he hated mixing with the common folk, he couldn't afford any discontent. He turned to a particularly guant, pallid mother of six and embraced her young son, who was standing nearby, sucking the dirt off his fingers. Hamilton then turned around and wiped the dirt off his powdered face with gritted teeth, meaning to shake Adam's hand and have a little chat. Good man, Adams. But there, right behind him, stood another old acquaintance. Aaron Burr.


“Pleasure to see you again, Mister Princeps, sir,” said Burr, through what Hamilton could only assume was a forced smile. “Not everyone gets opportunities such as yours. Congratulations.”


“Ah, Mister Burr! Thank you kindly, sir. You’re a gentleman and a scholar. You know, I don’t think I’ve seen you since Brooklyn. [2] You look sharp!”


“Likewise, Mister Princeps, sir.”


“Thank you, thank you.” Hamilton coughed. “Anyways, I must be going, lots of people to see. Oh, yes, I do believe that’s Eliza over there, calling me! I have to go, lots of hands to shake and all that. It was wonderful seeing you. May God bless you.”


“God bless you,” Burr replied, seemingly also relieved.


Hamilton scurried away deeper into the crowd, shaking hands and giving greetings as he went. The Eliza thing, of course, was a total lie. Knowing her, she was already in the carriage, itching to go back home. Hamilton had to find some way to escape that man, though. Dreadful man, too shifty. He couldn’t believe that he would have to deal with him in Congress. Think! The insanity that someone voted for him. Multiple people, in all likelihood. He turned to kiss another orphan.


——————————————————————————————————————————


Alexander Hamilton, second Princeps of the United States of America, relaxed as best he could in his study. Alone. His chair was wooden and uncomfortable, but it would have to do. Eliza wouldn’t let him use the bed if he was to be “scribbling on that portable desk” all night. She called it scribbling! The nerve. He was trying to figure out who he would appoint as his new Director of the Treasury, and he just so happened to need to write lists. They helped him think straight. The room was completely silent; gas lamps cast warm light over its entirety. He gazed over at Jefferson’s imported French wine. The bottle had arrived that morning anonymously, unlabeled except for the word “congratulations.” But it was Jefferson. Nobody else would go to all the trouble of importing the stuff from France. He was a weirdo, all right. [3] In the meantime, he sipped on a warm glass of Adam’s bubbly; now that man, he knew how to give a gift.


It was riding that inauguration high, drinking that champagne, writing out those lists, and judging who to re-gift the wine to the next day that Alexander Hamilton made a decision: he would do whatever it takes to help this fine new country. Old George had worked so hard to build this nation and set it the right way, and dammit if Alexander would see that slip away. No, he thought, what this country needed was a good, firm hand. Sometimes, a country needs a little nudge in the right direction. That’s the idea. Like a child who talks too much, or a scoundrel who wants to drink French wine. A strong, guiding hand is best. He would be a good father for this country. The way Washington would have wanted it.


He raised his almost-empty glass in the air and toasted, alone.


“To the future of this fair nation.”


[1] The Constitution states that a mourning period of “one day and half of a day” be held before swearing in the Legislature-approved heir of a deceased Princeps (Unless, of course, “dire circumstances or pressing matters of the State demand otherwise.”)

[2] Referring to the Battle of Brooklyn, where Burr rescued Hamilton, but did not receive a commendation for bravery and promotion from Washington, while Hamilton did. A pointed gesture from Hamilton to remind Burr on who has always been ahead and a warning to go away. (Even though, he had seen Burr since then. Multiple times.)

[3] Jefferson loved imported French wine. Loved it. He also happened to be in France at this time.
 
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AeroTheZealousOne

Monthly Donor
Wonderful stuff, I am quite interested in seeing how the United States will play out under Hamilton. Keep up the good work, I, for the moment, like where this is going.
 
I promise to be getting some more up pretty soon, I've just been real busy with other things in life and haven't had time to properly edit the next entry. Rest assured, though, a storm's a-brewin'.
 
Chapter Three
CHAPTER THREE: THE REPUBLICS ENTWINE

Alexander Hamilton kept Knox as Director of War, and appointed John Adams as his Director of the Treasury. His appointed cabinet of advisors consisted of Timothy Pickering, Rufus King, and Harrison Gray Otis. He refused to set an heir at first, and instead dove wholeheartedly into his work. He found it surprisingly easy to work with the Legislature, as the better majority of both the Congress of Representatives and Popular Senate was comprised of Federalists. Thomas Jefferson and the ailing Benjamin Franklin spearheaded the Popular Party, the opposition to the Federalists largely born out of members of the Constitutional Convention’s Confederates. Below are the cockades of the two parties, which proudly display the colors they would quickly become associated with.

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Federalist Party Cockade


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Popular Party Cockade

During the first year of Hamilton’s Princepship, the state ran on as usual. Hamilton was very keen on keeping the United States “just as Mister Washington would desire.” The United States National Bank, of Hamilton’s earlier devising, received more funds. Canals were planned and built to transport goods throughout America. The Northwest Territories were separated into distinctly organized territories that were set to become their own states when they reached a set population: Ohio, Metropotamia, Wabasha, Illinois, and Milwaukee.

Drawing (1).png

Rough map of the Northwest Territory’s planned states.

Perhaps the most interesting bit of legislation between the time of Hamilton’s inauguration and the French Revolution was the construction and moving of the United States’ capital. In 1789, two years into his Princepship, Hamilton and his Legislature constructed a new capital, built on the Potomac River between Virginia and Maryland, a location settled on long beforehand in return for all states paying their due Revolutionary War debt. Pierre Charles L’Enfant designed the city, with its marvelous wide streets and beautiful parks reminiscent of his home, Paris. The grand city had a planned, grid-like street system growing like honeycomb out of the wider major lanes, with plenty of room for city housing and amenities. The south of the city held a canal system for the use of the Army’s six boats and any commercial ships, run from the Potomac, a touch Hamilton insisted on. Along the canal grew stately oak trees, and it ran at its northernmost towards the capital in the city center. There, on top of a central hill overlooking the American capital, was a domed Roman-inspired Capitol Building, and near the opposite side of town was the Princepial Estate, a mansion with a gated orchard of apple and cherry trees growing on all sides surrounding it; Hamilton moved in as soon as he could. The city was named Washingtonopolis, in honor of the late Princeps and war hero. The nation finally had a capital.


——————————————————————————————————————————

But then was the French Revolution. Near home, in the mild Caribbean waters, the slaves of French Haiti revolted and installed their own republic on the island. Across the turbulent Atlantic waves, the people of France had risen up against their old leader, the despised King Louis XVI. By 1797, after bloody fighting and struggle, the Revolutionary Republic of France had taken hold of the country. Led by Director Maximillian Robespierre, the radical government had beheaded its two former monarchs, Louis and his wife, Marie-Antoinette, with its new favorite toy, the guillotine. Along with the kingly craniums rolled the heads of almost any suspected dissenters, counter-revolutionaries, royalists, or other anti-Republican men or women. Robespierre was a brutal tyrant, and, despite claiming to be a more enlightened and freer republic than what the French revolutionaries considered the “failed American experiment,” Robespierre managed to wrest even more power than Hamilton had, under the guise of “emergency” powers. But, despite the fear of beheading sweeping Paris’ streets, the Revolutionary Republic managed to stir up new nationalist sentiments in the nation. Pride for France swelled, and the military grew to unprecedented size. Robespierre, already beset on all sides by foes who would like to maintain the former status quo, including Great Britain, and encouraged by his leading generals, [1] decided to attack his Italian neighbors. Statelet after statelet fell to the mighty French armies, and Europe rocked with nationalism as it spread under marching soldiers’ boots.


Hamilton, in preparation for the turbulent times ahead, increased the size of the military drastically, despite Popularist opposition. He reorganized the Army into the Legion of the United States and appointed Anthony Wayne, known for his fiery spirit and short temper, as its General Legate, despite personal differences. While the Army remained only one Legion and two small ships strong, Hamilton managed to narrowly pass a bill allowing the Princeps to begin conscription, should any “wartime threat to American Freedom” arise. He chose to withhold on creating a Navy for the time being, as negotiations with both the new French Revolutionary Republic and the British Empire were promising, and any Navy seemed extraneous. But soon, in 1797, disaster struck. In a meeting between American and French ambassadors, the French demanded a bribe before opening negotiations, a common European “courtesy” that French Foreign Director, Talleyrand, thought the Americans would meet. Outraged, the American diplomats returned home after denying even a penny to the French, and Princeps Hamilton was informed of what transpired. [2] After the aggravating French capturing of American merchantmen what seemed like countless times prior, this would be the last straw.


xyz.jpg

British political cartoon depicting the Talleyrand Fiasco, as it would come to be known.

In a few short months, the United States geared for its first war. At first, American privateers launched a sort of quasi-war with French merchants, cutting off a bit of France’s remaining Atlantic and Caribbean trade. But, the war soon escalated. Hamilton was always inclined to support the British rather than the French anyways, and the Talleyrand Fiasco was just the impetus needed to show his support to the island nation, and maybe recieve some benefits for the USA. He commissioned five new frigates for the new United States Navy, to assist to the Alliance, the only ship left from the Revolutionary War. He also assigned a new “Subdirector of the Navy,” Isaac Hull, who would be under Henry Knox, now both the Director of the Armed Forces and Subdirector of the Army. The Army’s size was increased by 20,000 men. And, perhaps most importantly for the fledgling nation’s future, America began ties with Britain. The Anglo nations would fight together in the Caribbean War, as it became known to America, against Revolutionary France.


In the year 1797, an Anglo-American alliance was born, and France’s new Revolutionary Republic had one more foe.


[1] Napoleon went and got himself killed in Egypt trying to become Pharoah there. The more Roman-inspired and megalomaniac French and American republics inspired him to invade for that main reason, and France was more turblulent and impotent, and seemingly weaker militarily than OTL, so he saw no pressing cause to return.

[2] I figured the XYZ Affair or something similar happening was more than likely, as it was a European "custom," if only unofficially, and America wasn't aware of it.

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Any criticism or comments are always more than appreciated! And, please forgive the shoddy map. Due to some momentary constraints, I had to use an online paint program on a laptop instead of a nice desktop computer with Inkscape. :)
 
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AeroTheZealousOne

Monthly Donor
Oh, it appears someone forgot to/couldn't behead Robespierre...
This should be fun.

And I think the Louisiana Purchase has just been butterflied, seeing Napoleon dead, and France an enemy of the United States. Looking forward to what else you have in store...

(P.S, I see what you did there, what with the timing of this update. Happy Bastille Day, by the way.)
 
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