Political Parties in the North and South After a Victorious Confederacy

Gaius Julius Magnus

Gone Fishin'
If the south were to be victorious what kind of poltical parties would arise in both the USA and CSA. The Republicans would obviously discredit themselves with the loss of the war but could they make a comeback? What kind of political parties do you see taking shape in the Confederacy?
 

d32123

Banned
The Confederacy would almost certainly be a dominant party state but undoubtedly the poor whites will eventually form their own party too.

I don't think the Republicans will have completely discredited themselves by losing the war. Consider that the majority of the states left in the Union are Republican states.
 
If the south were to be victorious what kind of poltical parties would arise in both the USA and CSA. The Republicans would obviously discredit themselves with the loss of the war but could they make a comeback? What kind of political parties do you see taking shape in the Confederacy?

If so, do you think the defeated Union would have remained united ?
 
In the north I see a temporary boost to the Copperhead Democrats until the Republican party dies out, I forsee a rise of the radical left due to a feeling of betrayal by the established ruling classes by the men who fought, coupled with the loss of the more conservative parts of the nation.
 
North: Democrats, Socialists, and later Progressives, probably in that order

South: Democrats, Whigs, and maybe a Christian Center party

Otherwise it might also depend on how and with what territory the Confederacy leaves. Maybe Oklahoma/Indian Territory has a Native American party?
 
In the North, it would depend on who gets the blame for the defeat.
If the Democrats, the Republican Party becomes the dominant party until it fractures between Progressives and Moderate/COnsevatives and its splinters absorb parts of the rump Democrats.
If it's the Republicans that take the blame, The Democrats become the dominant party auntil the same split happens between Populist/Liberal and Conservatives.
In the South, The southern Democrats become the dominant party, and the Unionists and whoever doesn't feel represented by the Democrats join in a single Party. There's ground for a later realignment with unionists joining with some populists.
 
North: Democrats, Socialists, and later Progressives, probably in that order

South: Democrats, Whigs, and maybe a Christian Center party

Otherwise it might also depend on how and with what territory the Confederacy leaves. Maybe Oklahoma/Indian Territory has a Native American party?

The CSA pretty much has Oklahoma in the bag, it remained largely in Confederate control (outside Union-held chunks of the Cherokee nation, which was pro-Confederate from the onset of the war) until nearly 2 months after Lee surrendered.

The Two-Party state in the Confederacy is going to evolve slowly, but the rift is right there in the beginning.

The old hardliner fire-eaters, nationalists and conservatives form a Democratic Party that pretty much is the decendent of the pre-War Southern Democrats. This, after the "War of Secession" is going to be made up of the pro-Davis faction or if you will the of Confederate politicians during the war. The likes of these include Robert E. Lee and Braxton Bragg. This party is going to be rabidly State's Rights, decentralization to it's fullest, especially in strongholds like South Carolina and Mississippi.

The new Party, will be made of largely anti-Davis elements in the Confederate government and military. This party will be largely just as Conservative as the Democrats, but with at least 2 wings, one more in line with the Democrats, and one with a slight and gradual moderate-liberal slant. It will include elements like ex-Unionists in East Tennessee (and Kentucky, if it's in the CSA), populists, former Whigs and former Know-Nothings! Those in this group will include James Longstreet, Joseph E. Johnston, PGT Beauregard, and Alexander Stephens. This party's stance will focus heavily on maintaining the Confederate Constitution, but at the same time pushing a little on a few slight centralized ideas in the Confederate government. The names of this party here on AH are robertp6165's "Liberty Party" in his Black and the Gray and Turquoise Blue's "Constitution Party" in Two Americas are ones I like.
 
Last edited:
Top