My first idea for this site, which I actually came up with yesterday. In 1814, James Madison was forced to flee Washington, D.C. as the British burnt the city to the ground. We all know the famous story of his wife retaining the painting of Washington and what not, but seldom mentioned is Madison taking command of a unit to fight back the British outside of Washington.
OTL, he was forced to retreat in loss.
What if, however, Madison refused to retreat, and was killed in battle by British troops?
Vice President Elbridge Gerry would take the oath of office shortly after, but probably wouldn't serve long, as he died in OTL a few months later in 1814, leaving the office vacant. Who would take Gerry's place? President Pro Tempore John Gaillard of South Carolina?
Whoever does, I'm willing to bet they'll keep the war going or even escalate in response to the death of Madison, which would in turn lead to the Federalist secession of New England at the Hartford Convention. New England would most likely make a separate peace with the British while the United States is in shambles about keeping up the fight with Britain or reconquering New England...
I'm thinking that whoever is in office (provided the U.S. hasn't been delegated under military authority by this point) by the 1816 election will lose any hopes of a second term and a government favoring peace with Britain and New England will be elected.
But yeah, just some ideas.
I'd love some feedback on all of this.
OTL, he was forced to retreat in loss.
What if, however, Madison refused to retreat, and was killed in battle by British troops?
Vice President Elbridge Gerry would take the oath of office shortly after, but probably wouldn't serve long, as he died in OTL a few months later in 1814, leaving the office vacant. Who would take Gerry's place? President Pro Tempore John Gaillard of South Carolina?
Whoever does, I'm willing to bet they'll keep the war going or even escalate in response to the death of Madison, which would in turn lead to the Federalist secession of New England at the Hartford Convention. New England would most likely make a separate peace with the British while the United States is in shambles about keeping up the fight with Britain or reconquering New England...
I'm thinking that whoever is in office (provided the U.S. hasn't been delegated under military authority by this point) by the 1816 election will lose any hopes of a second term and a government favoring peace with Britain and New England will be elected.
But yeah, just some ideas.
I'd love some feedback on all of this.