John Fredrick Parker
Donor
(Initially tried this out on this thread, but I had thought of it awhile ago)
Let's say in 1791 the French Royal family are still caught in making an escape attempt, but the matter is handled far more quietly (let's provisionally say, by troops loyal to LaFayette); Marie Antoinette is separated from the king, and is herself allowed to quietly flee to Austria. As I see it, this would have the butterfly effects of:
a) not having demonstrations that lead to the Massacre of the Champ de Mars, so that LaFayette is still very popular, and poised to take an active role in a future government
b) delaying the Declaration by a couple of years, at least, meaning that when the National Convention convenes, the country is still at peace; this would make it more likely that they perform the task assigned them, which was to draw up a Constitution
It seems you combine (a) and (b), you'd have new elections (with the intention of making them regular); and a popular military figure (with ties to the United States and George Washington). Assume the Constitution drawn up adopts a Presidential system, LaFayette could well be the first.
EDIT ADD: Does this sound plausible? If yes, could the First French Republic survive?
Let's say in 1791 the French Royal family are still caught in making an escape attempt, but the matter is handled far more quietly (let's provisionally say, by troops loyal to LaFayette); Marie Antoinette is separated from the king, and is herself allowed to quietly flee to Austria. As I see it, this would have the butterfly effects of:
a) not having demonstrations that lead to the Massacre of the Champ de Mars, so that LaFayette is still very popular, and poised to take an active role in a future government
b) delaying the Declaration by a couple of years, at least, meaning that when the National Convention convenes, the country is still at peace; this would make it more likely that they perform the task assigned them, which was to draw up a Constitution
It seems you combine (a) and (b), you'd have new elections (with the intention of making them regular); and a popular military figure (with ties to the United States and George Washington). Assume the Constitution drawn up adopts a Presidential system, LaFayette could well be the first.
EDIT ADD: Does this sound plausible? If yes, could the First French Republic survive?
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