Not So Far From God, (Still Close To The United States): An Alternate North America

I'm excited for this too! There seems to be a couple typos in every post so I would double check them before posting.
 
This is very good, jycee! :)

I'll be very interested to see how many nations North America ends up having! There's plenty of room for lots!

Also, is Fremont going to do something bad in your TL? Because he's going to something bad in mine too. Great minds, eh? :) that reminds me I should work on that timeline sometime...
 
Thanks for the support everyone. And sorry about the typos; I'll try to do better.

Anyway here is the promised map of the US. (Not sure if the early Maine border is 100% right but it will do).

US 1810.png
 
Update!

Mexican War of Independence Part 1

The early stages of the Mexican War of Independence the insurgents enjoyed a series of swift successes. The forces under Allende and Morelos rode westwards in an effort to rally the rebellious residents of Guadalajara City and Tepic. Royalist forces under Francisco Javier Venegas had placed the province of Guanajuato under military control after the insurgents had taken control of the neighboring Queretaro [1]. Venegas expected the rebels to attack Guanajuato City [2] however Morelos took the longer route south through Celaya in order to cross to Guadalajara through Valle de Santiago. Venegas was slow ito respond and by January 1809 the southern half of Guanajuato had fallen into the hands of the Queretaro government. Within a few weeks Morelos and Allende had crossed the valley into Guadalajara by March they had met the Spanish forces, once at La Piedad and a second time in El Valle de Santa Cruz right outside of Guadalajara City. After their victory in Santa Cruz the insurgent forces moved into the city where a pro-independence government was established. Allende then moved to secure the insurgent position in Tepic.

In the West insurgent forces, under the command of Obregon and Fernandez Felix, enjoyed similar victories when taking Tampico and Altamira in the spring of 1809. Having now a port in the Gulf Velazquez drew up a plan to capture Veracruz by both land and sea. Tampico, of course, could not supply Velazquez with the navy we wished but it was enough to surprise the Spanish with a position they did not expect the rebels to win. The plan, which already suffered from hasty planning, was delayed after Obregon’s forces where cornered at La Angostura. After the defeat Velazquez opted for heading north instead and capturing Matamoros. With the help of Burr’s “Tejano” forces the province of Santander fell into Velázquez’s control. Like in Guadalajara a pro-independence government was established and Santander was renamed Tamaulipas.

The northern campaign – however – did not go as smoothly as its western counterpart. Spanish forces under the command of Ignacio Elizondo blocked the insurgent effort of taking Nuevo Leon. Despite the strong support for independence in the province Monterey would remain under Elizondo’s control for quite a while. With Monterey [3] blocked insurgent access to Saltillo and the territories further northwest became impossible. The sole exception was Seguin’s campaign into New Mexico. Once Santa Fe had been taken the rest of the northern territories were cut off from the Spanish. Early in 1810 Seguin was contacted by the governor of California, Jose Joaquin de Arrillaga, who declared his support towards the insurgent effort. [4] However due to its low population density California’s role in the war was null.

The war in the southern provinces of New Spain was much less organized than in the north. Many of the provinces were completely cut off from the capital and where thus unable to contact either government. In coastal Mexico and Oaxaca, Vicente Guerrero lead a guerilla movement in favor of the insurgency while in Yucatan, Andres Quintana Roo rallied the masses with the use of a very effective political pamphlet. [5] The same pamphlet that will later quell the castes wars and keep Yucatan in the Empire.

By the summer of 1810, just over a year since the insurgency began, most provinces had declared their support in favor of independence. The remaining provinces where placed under tight military control by the Spanish government. Nevertheless, independence would be impossible achieved as long as the national highway linking Mexico City and Veracruz was not taken. Through it the Spanish had access to the major ports and could easily supply their forces.

[1] The province of Queretaro was actually created during the war by breaking of a piece from the province of Mexico.
[2] Once again I’ll use city to distinguish the province from the city although both are simply refered to as Guanajuato.
[3] The one in Nuevo Leon not California
[4] This was of independence has a much more norther focus than OTL’s which was mostly confined to the center south.
[5] The state of Quitana Roo in OTL is named after him. ITTL his father was not arrested for having a printing press due to Iturrigaray’s reforms while he was Viceroy. Thus there is still a daily journal circulating in Yucatan and Andres never moved to central Mexico.
 
Update!

The Stalemate

Though the early stages of the war favored the insurgency with a series of hasty victories the final months of 1810 saw the war turn into a stalemate. Several defeats had stopped the insurgent advance into Mexico City and Veracruz remained un-captured. In the North Elizondo’s royalists forces managed to catch up with Seguín. Seguin was unable to bring Coahuila into the insurgency and the Tejano army was forced back east of the Rio Bravo where they now faced the incoming force of American volunteers lead by Jackson.

In the south middle years of the war were characterized by an ongoing a guerilla war. Felix Fernadez was able to sneak a small force into Puebla, a loyalist stronghold, which initiated several raids into the Spanish forts between Puebla and Veracruz. In the south Pacific coast, Vicente Guerrero organized a pro-independence militia who began similar raids between Acapulco and Valladolid. The militia movement will continue throughout 1810 and well into 1811. In February of 1811 Guerrero’s militia managed to break into Valladolid and take the city where we would meet Agustin de Iturbide [1], a disenfranchised criollo that had served in the royalist army. Once Morelos’ forces reach the city, Iturbide will present both insurgent leaders with a proposition.


The Traitor’s Head


One particular development that took place in the northern theater, of Mexico’s War of Independence, was the discovery of Wilkinson being an agent for Spain. After the war of 1808, the United States emerged as a close ally of Spain. Livingston had promised Spain to help quell the rebellions in New Spain; in keeping his promise Livingston dispatched a regiment to volunteers into Tejas. Hoping to expand the States’ influence over Latin America many southern governors encouraged their citizens to continue. Fervor from the war against Britain left many wanting for more and returning soldiers fearful of facing unemployment readily hopped onboard. Andrew Jackson a veteran of the previous war led the volunteers into Tejas.

When the volunteer’s arrived in Tejas many where surprised to find themselves fighting not Mexican rebels but American’s who had volunteered in Aaron Burr’s campaign. Even though Jackson had promised rewards for the traitor’s head desertion became common amongst the volunteers as they fell to Burr’s and Erasmo Seguin’s promises of land in Texas. Violence became common amongst the American regiments as one accused one another of treason. If anything kept the men together was Jackson’s popularity as a leader. Nevertheless word got out from the American side into the Burr’s “Tejanos” [2] that Wilkinson was in contact with Jackson and the Spanish. Though the story was not confirmed enraged men, particularly those under Seguin, demanded Wilkinson’s head. Burr himself would rather see Wilkinson dead than have his men divided like Jackson’s. Wilkinson’s was apprehended in April 1811. A trial was set up but the verdict had been decided much earlier. Wilkinson was executed under Seguin’s orders. And the head of a traitor was delivered to Andrew Jackson just as he demanded.

Jackson was enraged and called for action against Burr. He used the Tejanos’ actions as a demonstration of their barbarity and the corruption of the traitors. In the weeks that followed Jackson laid siege to San Antonio de Bexar; the siege resulted in the exodus of most of San Antonio’s citizens into Laredo. Amongst the refuges was the infant son of Seguín, and future Regent of Tejas, Juan N. Seguín.

Seguín stayed behind with a small force that provided the last defense against the invading Americans. In May 8 1811 Seguín was captured and officially surrendered Tejas to the Americans. For his victory Jackson became an instant hero across the United States. While Livingston had promised the Spain that he would not claim Tejas, Andrew Jackson wrote to the President in confidence stating that acquiring Tejas would be in “the best interest for the nation”. The status of Tejas post independence will become a major tension point between the United States and Mexico for the first half of the 19th century.


The Livingston Precidency

The Livingston presidency is one of great paradoxes; his victory against Britain overshadowed every fault made during his time in office making him an official hero yet at the same time some of his policies will have lasting consequences for the United States.

With the war over and the soldiers returning to everyday life unemployment once again soared across the States. The embargo against trade had never officially been removed though merchants had by now been ignoring it for months. Nevertheless trade with Britain, the United States’ major trading partner, was at an all time low. The war also had the side effects of increasing executive power and privileging private companies involved in the war effort, mainly shipyards and armories. Due to the Louisiana Purchase of half a continent the federal funds were also on the low.

Livingston eventually removed the Embargo Act cooling off most of New England’s hotheaded politicians (some who still threatened to secede). The founding of the Eerie Canal Commission the expansion of the Great Lakes Fleet (in the case of a third struggle against Britain) and the reconstruction of the Atlantic harbors helped bring down the unemployment levels, cooling off the hot headed masses. In short Livingston was able to keep the country at peace internally even when living standards had not returned to their pre 1808 level. Politically Livingston employed several nepotistic policies, a policy which ended up alienating some of his political allies including vice-president James Madison.

In foreign policy Livingston’s priority was to ensure the continuity of the treaty of Cordoba, which mostly consisted of keeping Britain out of Louisiana and from supplying the natives in the Indiana territory with weapons. William Henry Harrison had resumed his position as governor of Indiana; in October 1810 Harrison along with a force of Miami Indians managed to capture Tenskwatawa. The prophet was held in trial and eventually executed by the whites. Harrison’s victory would quell down most of the Native revolts for a few months.

In the summer of 1812 the western half of the Mississippi territory joined with the New Orleans territory to create the state of Mississippi during the campaigns for the 1812 presidential election. Due to health problems Livingston opted not to run for reelection, in his place the Democratic Republicans nominated James Monroe, Eldbridge Gerry as vice-president. Like Livingston before him Monroe was able to secure an easy victory from his Federalist opponent DeWitt Clinton.

[1] Itrubide comes in much earlier than in OTL. At this point in OTL Hidalgo had offered Iturbide to lead the insurgent army but he refused. Due to this insurgency starting off focused both on meztisos and criollos things will be difrent.
[2] Though it has only been a few years some of Burr’s men are beginning to call themselves Tejanos alongside the actual Tejanos. The term Texian will not be coined but in an English accent the Spanish “j” is stress so it sounds "Texiano".
 
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Hey here is a map of how the insurgency is going on in new Spain as of the last post. I'll have a new update in a few days.

Colored lines are the major campaigns by the insurgency.
The white line is the national highway (the heart of New Spain) linking Veracruz to Acapulco.

1810 Insurgency.png
 
Update!
Here is the rest of Mexican Independence. To be followed by some development in the US and Europe soon.

The Turning Point

Morelos’ victory over Valladolid is generally considered the turning point of the war. However certain crucial developments across New Spain (and for that matter the world) throughout the following year helped transform the former Spanish viceroyalty in to the Mexican Empire.

José Mariano Michelena [1] surrendered Valladolid to Morelos on the February 24 1811. After the governor’s arrest Agustin de Iturbide a lieutenant in the loyalist army approached Morelos offering his men and support in favor of the insurgency. Morelos was skeptical of Iturbide’s motives but allowed Iturbide to prove his himself. Enjoying a certain level of popularity within the army Iturbide was able to bring a large number men form the royalist army into the insurgency. In an efficient campaign Iturbide led the new arrivals into coastal Mexico capturing Chilpanzingo before summers end and cutting off Acapulco’s connection to Mexico City. The port fell shortly afterwards with little resistance.
That same summer Supreme Comander, Jose de Iturrigaray, defeated the loyalist garrison in Guanajuato. His army chased governor Francisco Javier Venegas and his men to San Luis Potosi and later to Saltillo where the royalist forces under Elizondo managed to cut them off. Iturigaray retreated but with Guanajuato under his control the insurgency now controlled all of central New Spain minus the core between Mexico City and Veracruz. Furthermore the number of loyalist defecting to the insurgency increased exponentially.

The Second Congress of Anahuac

The Second Congress of Anahuac was held in October 14th 1811 in Valladolid [2]. The congress was held as a means to reorganize the government of New Spain and layout a constitutional foundation upon which an independent nation will be based. Just like in the first congress the participants seemed to disagree upon most topics. But with the increased number of recently ex-loyalist now serving the insurgency under Iturbide (and other similar like him) the number in favor of a monarchical government. Wilkinson’s treason and the American intervention in Tejas placed a great mistrust to a republican form of government.

The final draft of the Plan de Valladolid reassured all points agreed in The Solemn Declaration of Independence for the Americas and furthered laid out the structure on which the new nation will be governed. The document included the following points:
1. The new nation was to become a Constitutional Monarchy.
– The crown was to be offered to a Spanish prince. If the offer was refused by six members of the Spanish dynasty consecutively. Congress was to elect new candidates.
– In the interim executive power was to be held by the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces. [3]
2. Division of power will exist between the crown and congress.
3. The new nation was to be the inheritor of New Spain and all lands under the viceroyalty.
– The nation was to be conformed of 23 provinces and 3 territories. [4]
– The territories outside the mainland (The Philippines and Cuba) where to be freed when possible.
– New provinces will be formed as the population’s needs require.

It was Morelos who pushed for the promotion of patriotism during the congress, urging the members to develop national symbols to increase unity. Up to this point the insurgents referred to the new nation as “the Americas” or “New Spain”. For a while the name Anahuac was used but it never gave popularity.
While the name Mexico was not favored amongst those with federalist inclination the name established a link between the ancient Mexica Empire of the Aztecs and the new nation. After some debating congress settled on naming the new nation the Mexican Empire. A new flag was also designed; it was to be a vertical tricolor of crimson, blue, and green symbolizing independence, faith, and equality with the Imperial Eagle in the center. Velazquez designed a naval flag based on the tricolour but without the eagle during the capture of Veracruz and his fail attempt of bringing Cuba into the Empire ten years later.

A smaller document signed between Phillip Nolan (one of Burr’s men) and Iturrigaray guaranteed land grants in the northern territories to the Americans who fought in favor of Mexico against Spain and the United States. This promise will later result in many American’s joining Burr and giving Burr a special status in the government of Tejas once the official constitution is drafted.

Dawn of an Empire

With newly revived vigor the insurgent army marched towards Mexico City in the following spring. In royalist forces under Colonel Trucuato Trujillo were defeated in Celaya and Lerma bringing the war to the gates of Mexico City. In April 1812 the rebel forces moved towards Toluca. While a defining victory for the insurgency, the Battle of Tolucal Valley also saw the demise of many of its leaders. Obregon and Morelos were killed in battle while Ignacio Allende was captured and later executed.

After the victory in Toluca the remainder of the loyalist government in Mexico City fled to Puebla where the archbishop Francisco Javier de Lizana granted them safe haven. Iturrigaray entered victorious to Mexico City in May 16th 1812. Large parades where organized and soon the national palace was bustling with men dedicated to create a new nation. Later that same month the first flag of the Mexican Empire was raised in the middle of the Zocalo.

News had reached Spain of the situation in Mexico month’s prior and the crown had sent a replacement for Viceroy Garibay and for archbishop Linaza. When they arrived in the summer of 1812 they found Veracruz under a blockade by Velazquez merchant navy. The battle of Veracruz was the only “naval” battle of the war. By its end Velazquez had captured the New Viceroy Félix Maria Calleja. Calleja signed the treaty of Tampico recognizing Mexican Independence and an envoy alongside the old viceroy was sent back to Spain with it.

[1] Michelena was actually a supporter of independence in OTL. However this was mostly due to a rivalry with Iturbide. Since Iturbide’s role has changed so has Michelena’s. Nevertheless he remains mostly loyal to the paycheck and not Spain.
[2] This is OTL’s Morelia. Unlike the province, which will be, renamed Michoacan later on, as in OTL, the city will remain Valladolid.
[4] Agustin de Iturbide actually got to be crowned by placing a similar clause in El Plan de Iguala in OTL. Though it was never publicly announced that the plan had such clasue.
[4] Queretaro, Tampico, and Acapulco (more or less OTL’s Guerrero) have been added as provinces.

And here is the new flag:

Anahuac Empire Flag.png
 
Alright here is what follows:

An Uneasy Beginning

The first years of Mexican independence were a troublesome time. Not only was Mexico not recognized internationally (Britain will be the first to do so), its government was in a transition period. As supreme commander Jose de Iturrigaray had enacted effective agricultural reforms, which greatly reduced the bureaucratic procedures of the viceroyalty, and reduced the overblown mining taxes, which allowed for the enrichment of private citizens. Most Spaniards had decided to adopt Mexican nationality after Iturrigaray promised that the new government would not touch their property. Yet there was still a lack of a strong executive power, something the nation had be used to during the viceroyalty. Divisions rapidly arose amongst the members of congress who were unaccustomed to holding power; four main parties arose:
Liberales [1]: Headed by Miguel Hidalgo and most members of the Queretaro Conspiracy, the National Liberals demanded universal suffrage, ensured abolition of any remains of the caste system and slavery, Church privileges and tribal authority to be respected. Most supported the idea of having a Bourbon prince crowned but a few still favored the establishment of a Republic akin to that of the United States.
Federalistas o Republicanos: The main opposition against everyone. Headed by Vicente Guerrero, Felix Fernandez, and other members of the militias and guerrillas. Their main goal was to establish a republic regardless of other policies. While most preferred a federal republic some moderates held preference for a centralist republic.
Centralistas: Mostly members of the military headed by Agustin de Iturbide and Anastacio Bustamante. They formed a significant force within congress, which opted for a conservative centralized government although views varied and could be easily bought. Most disliked the idea of a “foreign” prince being crowned and would rather have one of their own as head of state.
Conservadores: Mostly Spaniards, members of the clergy and upper class criollos. Wanted a bourbon king and to keep this as close to how they were during viceroyalty as possible.
Realistas: A moderate party composed mostly of Iturrigaray’s followers and the criollos middle class. Their main policy was to stick to the plan laid out by the second congress of Anahuac and to ensure unity. They were able to easily buy most of the Centralistas and appease most of the Liberales, making them the strongest force.

There were a significant number of independent or individual parties whose views swayed back and forth although most would join the Realistas or Liberales. The largest of these parties were the “Tejanos” under Burr and Seguin’s command. But for the time being all major parties stuck to the basic plan and worked to ensure full unity with the Empire. Tejas was still under the control of Andrew Jackson and most of the Southeast remained disconnected from the central government.

In the Fall of 1812, after his victory in Veracruz, Velazquez sailed to Costa Rica were he made most of the Spanish soldiers still stationed there to swear loyalty to the new government. Velazquez also dispatched a regiment of volunteers to Nueva Granada, which was by now also in rebellion against Spain. The Northern territories were a more complicated matter. Agustin de Iturbide met with Seguin and Burr in Laredo. ¬They managed to cross the Rio Bravo and engaged against the American forces under John Coffee stationed Presidio La Bahia in late November 1812. After a definitive Mexican victory, Jackson ordered Coffee to abandon the fort Coffee was late to respond and was captured and imprisoned in the presidio. In the following days the captives were executed. Jackson was once more appalled at the Mexican cruelty; he propagandized the event as “The Goliad Massacre”. Two weeks later Jackson engaged the Mexican forces in San Antonio. Mexican and Tejano forces greatly outnumbered Jackson’s and the battle was once again a loss for the Americans. Jackson surrendered to Iturbide in December 5th 1812. This was the first time both generals met. However, negotiations in setting treaty between Mexico and the United States would be postponed; the United States had still not recognized Mexico, and Mexico still did not have an established government. For now Mexico promised to respect the Neches boundary if American forces were removed from Tejas.

The envoy from Spain arrived the following year with a rejection to the Mexican crown and a statement refusing to acknowledge the treaty signed by Calleja in Tampico. Although the refusal was expected, its presence brought a whole new set of divisions to congress. Some proposed extending the offer to other royal families. An offer was made to the king of Portugal now stationed in Brazil. Joao considered the proposal, but opted against it as his place as king of Portugal was now in question. It appears that some even suggested in offering the crown to Napoleon or another Bonaparte but the idea proved unpopular particularly amongst those of Spanish decent. As the time passed it became clear that either a local Emperor would have to be elected of that a new form of government would have to be established. Several generals within the army immediately jumped at the possibility of being crowned themselves. Demonstrations (at the generals’ instigations) were held by people of different towns in favor of different generals to assume the crown. Perhaps the boldest of these was one held in Valladolid asking for the young Iturbide to be crowned; it is said even the archbishop instigated demonstrations in Puebla and Tlaxcala for him to be crowned.

In the end it was the voice of the moderates that was heard in congress. Some of the Spaniards (now citizens) and upper criollos in congress, which wanted as little change as possible suggested crowing the supreme commander; Iturrigaray had after all been the one who made independence a reality by bringing all the insurgencies together. Being a military man he had the favor of most generals, furthermore both of his sons had served amongst them. The Tejanos also favored Iturrigaray as it was the ex-viceroy who they had originally approached with their support and so far Iturrigaray had kept his promise of granting them safe haven. Recent research suggests that it was actually Philip Nolan who organized the first large-scale rally in favor of Iturrigaray’s crowning in Mexico City. Iturrigaray made a public “refusal” of the crowned saying it was up to congress. But that same week Congress passed a resolution in favor of his crowning. In March 21st 1813 the crowning ceremony was held and Iturrigaray was crowned Jose I Emperor of Mexico.

The only opposition to Iturrigaray’s crowning came from the most radical factions of the Republicanos and the Hidalgo’s Liberales. The latter found Jose I’s crowning not only as treason but also as heresy and an attempt by the elite to keep the situation as it had been prior to the war. In an event known as La Traición de Hidalgo the pariah of Dolores rallied a few of Mexico City’s indigenous population into storming the National Palace and executing the Emperor. The authorities unveiled the conspiracy and the coup never took place. Some revisionist historians believe the conspiracy had never taken place and that Hidalgo had been staged. Miguel Hidalgo was executed in April 16th of that year. His remains were buried in Dolores were a small monument in his name now stands.

Monroe’s First Term

James Monroe’s policies throughout his presidency were in theory the same as his predecessor. Monroe had kept most of the cabinet intact though a few young upcoming politicians began to make noticeable appearances in congress. At his inauguration the country was headed through relatively easy times: thanks to the war in Europe trade was booming, and most of the strife in New England had been quelled. The War of 1808 had also made the United States less dependent on trade with Britain (although it was still its major trade partner) and the manufacturing industry was on the rise.

Internationally things were a bit different. Monroe was faced with the de-facto Independence of Mexico and Jackson’s defeat in Tejas. Helping Spain to maintain its colonies would have been a fool’s errand. Recognizing Mexico would not only open trade with South America but it could also allow for the possibility of moving the border a bit further west. After the Emperor’s coronation Monroe sent Secretary John C. Calhoun as an envoy to the Empire as official recognition of Mexico’s independence. The Emperor received Calhoun and allowed for the establishment of an American embassy in Mexico City. In a welcoming toast Jose I noted that; “Only good neighbors can work together to ensure freedom and unity in the Americas.” Monroe reused the speech in his second term, as the independences of South American nations become a reality. He also stated that further efforts by European countries to colonize the Americas would be seen as acts of aggression. The Emperor would make a similar statement later on in his reign. While President Livingston had issued a similar statement the Livingston Doctrine never made an actual attempt to stop European powers besides Britain from doing so. Monroe’s statement will later be known as The Good Neighbor Policy [2]. Calhoun returned to Washington later that year bringing with him the Mexican envoy’s Juan Francisco Azcarte and Gordon Fairfield [3] one of Burr’s volunteers. Although the United States had recognized Mexico both countries were still unsure on where the borders lay. For now Mexico recognized the American acquisition of Louisiana. Fairfield, under Burr’s orders, pushed for the boundary to be set at the Red River (its traditional borders) instead of the Neches. The attempt was worthless and American troops remained stationed as far west as the Brazos until the outbreak of the Tejano Wars; Andrew Jackson had already established a fort in the Sabine Lake where the Port Crocket, the capital of Sabine now stands.

Tensions with Britain were once again on the rise. Due of the war in Europe, Britain had continued to seize American ships to search for deserters from the royal navy in direct violation of the Treaty of Cordoba. Monroe had considered reinstating the embargo act early during his term but strong opposition from New England made him postpone the idea. However as his term progressed tensions were not easing and economic coercion seemed unavoidable.

In the Indiana territory Native uprisings were once again on the rise. The execution of Tenskwatawa after the war of 1808 had factionalized most of the natives in the Northwest making the advance of white settlers much easier. But by 1812 Tecumseh had recruited a stronger confederation of Native Americans than that which his brother lead during the War of 1808; he even managed to recruit allies amongst the Civilized Tribes of the south causing a Civil War to erupt amongst the Creeks, whom for the most part were content to exist with the United States. It was not long before for Tecumseh and his allies were once again at war against the white settlers. This time however the United States was not distracted by a war against Britain. In November 1813 Governor Harrison marched up the Wabash River from Vincennes and a defeated Tecumseh and his followers in the Battle of Prophetstown. Tecumseh’s forces were pushed northwards into British Canada where it became clear that the British were once again supplying Tecumseh with weapons. After the Battle of Detroit Tecumseh was captured and the confederation surrendered to Harrison. Tecumseh’s defeat will make it possible for Indiana to enter the Union as a state before the next election. Harrison’s native allies against Tecumseh were rewarded significant land extension (or rather less reductions) in the eastern part of the territory in what will later become the sate of Miami.

Britain’s involvement in Tecumseh’s campaign made it impossible for Monroe not to respond. The young National Republicans, known as the “war hawks” lead by Henry Clay advocated in favor of declaring war against Britain. Many believed that the United States had gained experience from the previous war and would thus be at an advantage this time. Furthermore the majority of the inhabitants of Upper Canada were immigrants form the United States. The “war hawks” believed that in the case of war they would side with the Americans making a conquest of Canada easy; its conquest would force Britain to come to terms with the United States. However as the Tejano wars will later prove, the apparent success of the war of 1808 had been a fluke; a second war against Britain was going to be a catastrophe for the United States. In the end President Monroe opted for reinstating a moderate embargo on Britain. The decision would cost him New England’s votes during the reelection, although historians agree that he probably would have lost them anyway.

The Embargo of 1814 placed a new stress on the internal stability of the Union. New England had not fully recovered from the economic downfall it had suffered during the previous embargo and the war that followed. The new embargo only made matters worse. In 1815 the Massachusetts state legislature called for the Boston Convention to discuss possible constitutional amendments to protect New England’s interests including:
– Prohibiting any trade embargo lasting over 60 days.
– Requiring a two-thirds majority for interdiction of foreign commerce.
– Removing the three-fifths advantage of the South.
– Limiting Presidents to one term.
The appeals were mostly ignored by congress causing several extreme factions of the convention to consider New England’s secession from the Union. George Cabot from Massachusetts was a strong supporter of the idea to the point that he was accused of enticing riots in Boston and Hartford.

The stress within the Union caused the election 1816 to be incredibly sectionalized. James Monroe and Daniel D. Tompkins ran as the incumbent ticket for the Democratic Republicans while the Federalists nominated Harrison Grey Otis from Massachusetts and John Eager Howard from Maryland as his running mate. As the election approached the states of Indiana and Columbia formed from pieces of the Indiana and Southwest territories were accepted into the Union both went in favor of Monroe. Although Otis gave a suprising scare taking most of New England including New York, Monroe still managed to secure his reelection even taking Maryland, Howard’s home state.

The following decades will be marked with increased instability for the Union, which will culminate at the time of Jackson’s failed presidency and the succession crisis.

[1] Despite the name these guys are not liberal infact they have more in common with the conservadores than anyone else. Remember Hidalgo was a priest. Sure they are in favor of the abolition of the castes and slavery. But they are still in favor of the Church having privileges and believers in the “divine right” of the Bourbons.
[2] Pretty much the Monroe Doctrine.
[3] This guy is fictional. Since Burr never went ahead with his plan in OTL, there is no way to know who would have volunteered.
 
I know it seems rather unlikely but having been linked to it by a good friend of mines on book face, I am saddened to know that this amazing timeline has not been updated in the longest nor has it received the attention that it deserves.
 
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