Deleted member 97083
Most American monarchy scenarios tend to have a constitutional, basically democratic parliamentary monarchy, but what about a different scenario, that descends into French/Roman absolutism after civil strife?
Here's a basic outline for how that might begin at its earliest. It would take until the American Civil War to actually become an Empire, but here's some conjecture up to the War of 1812.
How plausible is this idea? Please feel free to criticize any aspect, or suggest better ideas.
The POD is George Washington accepting the offer of kingship at Newburgh in 1782. This offer was made with the understanding that he would pay his troops, who were discontented over complete lack of funding after risking their lives in battle for years. However, as king, Washington is no more able to compensate the Continental Army than the Continental Congress was; and in fact, factions in the Congress begin to despise Washington for bringing royalism to America. The Newburgh Conspiracy in 1783, which was only a small threat IOTL, is a much more dangerous one ITTL with invigorated enemies of George Washington. Horatio Gates and the Conway Cabal execute a coup d'etat, deposing King George. Against Conway's/Horatio's intent, which was to simply imprison Washington and have him renounce his position, instead, Washington is fatally wounded and ends up dying, which is seen as a cruel assassination by the Continental Congress and the nation. However the silver lining is that the monarchy, which at this point is seen as a temporary episode, seems to be over. (it will return later due to the precedent).
Horatio is vilified for killing the hero of the nation, but at the same time, commands the Continental Army who supported him and essentially, he is forced into action. The Continental Congress condemns the assassination of Washington, and orders Horatio to step down. To avoid being assassinated by his own forces or imprisoned himself, Horatio Gates spearheads the Philadelphia Mutiny of 1783 to obtain recompensation for his troops. The State House is held hostage, but the Congress is unable to convince the army to stand down, because it's not a mob of 500 but rather the entire Pennsylvania Line of several thousands. Horatio ultimately owes allegiance to the Congress, who supported him over Washington, so he prevents any significant violence, but also loses his reputation with them by being unable to quell, and then going along with, the mutineers.
The Congress agrees to immediately pay the troops, bankrupting the Confederation and decimating the private fortunes of many of the members of Congress. Afterward, much of the Continental army is reduced as soldiers return to their farms, have served their three year terms, and have received partial or full payment. To secure its position, the capital of the Congress of Confederation is relocated to Annapolis, Maryland, then Trenton, New Jersey, and then New York City however it is not to become permanent until later. Horatio is also forced to resign and replaced by Thomas Conway as the leader of the Pennsylvania Line. Conway advocates for Horatio to not be imprisoned.
Crisis is diffused for now as peace is made with the British, however, the bankrupt leadership increases taxes across the Confederation to extreme levels. The causes of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts are exacerbated with greater taxes; however, Daniel Shays himself was fully paid, so the rebellion is actually delayed until tensions boil up further. The Constitutional Convention is also delayed as a result.
Some time in 1787 or 1788, a more fearsome Shays' Rebellion breaks out, with a larger faction of populist rebels, and a smaller less loyal faction of private militiamen. Shays or an alternative leader captures Boston, burning the debt documents held by the courts, government, and banks. An army is called up to take down the rebels, while other anti-taxation rebellions rise up through other states.
Only in Massachusetts with its uniquely restrictive government for the time do the rebels actually succeed, and establish a radically democratic government which expands voting to non-landowners and prints paper currency. However, the fear of a similar rebellion spreads throughout the states united by the Articles of Confederation, leading to political but not always military conflict between populists and the merchant class across the bankrupt states. This is an impetus for a stronger national government, which eventually is only stabilized by establishing a combined executive military leader with a strong army--a president or consul who leads the army on the field while being the head of government, which coincidentally was how the Roman Republic began to suppress the senate and become an Empire.
After a series of political conflicts and negotiations, a federalist, militarist US forms, which also relies more on states economically if not militarily, is more threatened by populist insurrection, and doesn't have the mediating factor of George Washington. At the same time, George Washington is seen as a tragic hero, the possibility of him having retained kingship is viewed with fascination. The gateway for a president to become a King or autocratic ruler is certainly open, particularly after the Quasi War allows the Alien and Sedition Acts.
A more severe longer War of 1812, bringing the nation into crisis and causing several mutinies like the Hartford Convention, provides just that chain of events. Something like a very ineffective President for 1812-1816 who fails to fight off the British and makes too many concessions to Britain, like ceding New England, before a ceasefire. Meanwhile somebody like Andrew Jackson rebels against the federal government to continue the war, winning several victories and saving the Union against Britain. He turns the tide to the extent that he becomes immensely popular, and is actually elected President immediately afterward on a platform of populist reform. After reconquering New England from Britain, he is proclaimed King like Washington. It is this "Second Kingship" and resulting constitutional debates and civil conflicts, that actually leads to lasting monarchy.
Here's a basic outline for how that might begin at its earliest. It would take until the American Civil War to actually become an Empire, but here's some conjecture up to the War of 1812.
How plausible is this idea? Please feel free to criticize any aspect, or suggest better ideas.
The POD is George Washington accepting the offer of kingship at Newburgh in 1782. This offer was made with the understanding that he would pay his troops, who were discontented over complete lack of funding after risking their lives in battle for years. However, as king, Washington is no more able to compensate the Continental Army than the Continental Congress was; and in fact, factions in the Congress begin to despise Washington for bringing royalism to America. The Newburgh Conspiracy in 1783, which was only a small threat IOTL, is a much more dangerous one ITTL with invigorated enemies of George Washington. Horatio Gates and the Conway Cabal execute a coup d'etat, deposing King George. Against Conway's/Horatio's intent, which was to simply imprison Washington and have him renounce his position, instead, Washington is fatally wounded and ends up dying, which is seen as a cruel assassination by the Continental Congress and the nation. However the silver lining is that the monarchy, which at this point is seen as a temporary episode, seems to be over. (it will return later due to the precedent).
Horatio is vilified for killing the hero of the nation, but at the same time, commands the Continental Army who supported him and essentially, he is forced into action. The Continental Congress condemns the assassination of Washington, and orders Horatio to step down. To avoid being assassinated by his own forces or imprisoned himself, Horatio Gates spearheads the Philadelphia Mutiny of 1783 to obtain recompensation for his troops. The State House is held hostage, but the Congress is unable to convince the army to stand down, because it's not a mob of 500 but rather the entire Pennsylvania Line of several thousands. Horatio ultimately owes allegiance to the Congress, who supported him over Washington, so he prevents any significant violence, but also loses his reputation with them by being unable to quell, and then going along with, the mutineers.
The Congress agrees to immediately pay the troops, bankrupting the Confederation and decimating the private fortunes of many of the members of Congress. Afterward, much of the Continental army is reduced as soldiers return to their farms, have served their three year terms, and have received partial or full payment. To secure its position, the capital of the Congress of Confederation is relocated to Annapolis, Maryland, then Trenton, New Jersey, and then New York City however it is not to become permanent until later. Horatio is also forced to resign and replaced by Thomas Conway as the leader of the Pennsylvania Line. Conway advocates for Horatio to not be imprisoned.
Crisis is diffused for now as peace is made with the British, however, the bankrupt leadership increases taxes across the Confederation to extreme levels. The causes of Shays' Rebellion in Massachusetts are exacerbated with greater taxes; however, Daniel Shays himself was fully paid, so the rebellion is actually delayed until tensions boil up further. The Constitutional Convention is also delayed as a result.
Some time in 1787 or 1788, a more fearsome Shays' Rebellion breaks out, with a larger faction of populist rebels, and a smaller less loyal faction of private militiamen. Shays or an alternative leader captures Boston, burning the debt documents held by the courts, government, and banks. An army is called up to take down the rebels, while other anti-taxation rebellions rise up through other states.
Only in Massachusetts with its uniquely restrictive government for the time do the rebels actually succeed, and establish a radically democratic government which expands voting to non-landowners and prints paper currency. However, the fear of a similar rebellion spreads throughout the states united by the Articles of Confederation, leading to political but not always military conflict between populists and the merchant class across the bankrupt states. This is an impetus for a stronger national government, which eventually is only stabilized by establishing a combined executive military leader with a strong army--a president or consul who leads the army on the field while being the head of government, which coincidentally was how the Roman Republic began to suppress the senate and become an Empire.
After a series of political conflicts and negotiations, a federalist, militarist US forms, which also relies more on states economically if not militarily, is more threatened by populist insurrection, and doesn't have the mediating factor of George Washington. At the same time, George Washington is seen as a tragic hero, the possibility of him having retained kingship is viewed with fascination. The gateway for a president to become a King or autocratic ruler is certainly open, particularly after the Quasi War allows the Alien and Sedition Acts.
A more severe longer War of 1812, bringing the nation into crisis and causing several mutinies like the Hartford Convention, provides just that chain of events. Something like a very ineffective President for 1812-1816 who fails to fight off the British and makes too many concessions to Britain, like ceding New England, before a ceasefire. Meanwhile somebody like Andrew Jackson rebels against the federal government to continue the war, winning several victories and saving the Union against Britain. He turns the tide to the extent that he becomes immensely popular, and is actually elected President immediately afterward on a platform of populist reform. After reconquering New England from Britain, he is proclaimed King like Washington. It is this "Second Kingship" and resulting constitutional debates and civil conflicts, that actually leads to lasting monarchy.
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