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PoD: Wilson is removed from office. Thomas Marshall replaces him.


Premise: The RTL stroke that Wilson suffered October 2, 1919 wrecked the US government at a moment when strong leadership was needed. This one event and Edith Wilson’s actions thereafter^1, are often cited as the reason that the United States senate refused to consider and ratify both the Versailles treaty and the proposed League of Nations which was part of the package that came with it.


The curious factor often overlooked by many historians is the inaction of vice president Thomas Riley Marshall, a progressive democrat from the state of Indiana. Now, based on his history as Indiana governor, when he refused to interfere with the democrat party machine; who filled the state offices during his administration with utterly corrupt office seekers; his inaction to take up the reins of governance by this passive politician seems to be entirely within his character. He was non-confrontational.


Woodrow Wilson paralyzed kind of sums up the US government at a time when Europe was setting up the series of mistakes that would plunge the world into war, some twenty years later.


The what if: is this; Democratic party bosses urge Thomas Marshall to assume the office of President. He picks up this gentleman, Frederick H. Gilbert, a virtual nonentity and Speaker of the House, as his vice president.


Discuss the ensuing chaos that results.


^1 Edith Wilson, it is my opinion, probably obstructed due process of succession, when Woodrow Wilson suffered his stroke. Add to this situation, that Woodrow Wilson, probably because of his own proclivities and hardening attitudes, refused good advice, and he separated from close confidants such as Edward M House. There is no doubt, in my mind, that Woodrow and Edith, chose to hang onto power. I will not speculate on their motives, since there is conflicting information from this period as to what happened in the Wilson administration.
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