The Grey Revolution

[cheffisti]

Chapter 82: Douglas Presidency
Following his inauguration President Stephen Douglas focused on completion of the Trans-Continental Railroad and bringing closure to the rift between the US and Confederate States. Trade agreements were signed between the US & CS which benefited both parties in regard to cotton exports.
Out west the US army faced numerical native Indian wars against the Lakota Sioux, Cheyenne, Arapaho, and Kiowa. Secretary of War George McClellan dispatched Major General Philip Kearny westward to handle the Indians and protect the railroads moving westward.
Kearny would win victories by the gallant leadership by his officers Philip Sheridan, George Crook, and George Armstrong Custer who by the end of Douglas’s term had brought an uneasy peace to the west.
The issue of a new capital was settled as President Douglas got the states of Illinois, Indiana, and Michigan to cede portions of their states so that a new capital could be built. The US Army Corp of Engineers were tasked with building the new capital city of Columbia.
In foreign aspects Douglas knew the Monroe Doctrine was dead, but tried diplomacy to reign in Spain’s rampage through the Caribbean and South America. Republican’s painted Douglas as a pawn of the CSA and weak against foreign intervention into the Caribbean. In 1867 when Confederate troops landed in Dominica to assist their ally Spain Douglas worked tirelessly to reach an agreement with Spain and the CSA. Republicans gearing up for an election year spread rumors that the Confederacy was planning to enslave the nation of Haiti.
By the time of the Democratic convention in 1868 Douglas made it know that he wouldn’t be running for a second term.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 83: Republican Nomination of 1868
The Republican Party by 1868 had begun the process of rebranding their party. After the defeat during the recent war Republican politicians began portraying Democrats as soft on the Confederacy, and portraying themselves as ones to stand up to Southern aggression. So when the Republican Convention met in Chicago on May 20th five contenders vied for the nomination: Senator Ben Wade of Ohio, Massachusetts Congressman Henry Wilson, Former Union General and 1864 Vice President nominee James Wadsworth from New York, Former Governor of Indiana Oliver P. Morton, and Illinois Representative Abraham Lincoln

from left to right: Wade, Morton, Wilson, Wadsworth, & Lincoln

Wade was immediately disregard as too close to former President Chase, but he did control the delegate rich Ohio delegation under his control. Wadsworth equally controlled his native state of New York’s delegation; while Wilson held onto the New England delegates. Morton’s Indiana delegation plus Michigan gave him a small advantage. Lincoln was by far held the most diverse delegates of Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, plus Oregon.
It was Lincoln’s campaign manager and close friend David Davis used his savvy political intuition that picked apart Lincoln adversaries. Wade was convinced to drop out by former President Chase to pay back the debt that he owed to Lincoln for his support against Seward back in 1860.
Lincoln a former Colonel during the war who served under McClellan was seen by many as a friend of the average soldier as he championed bills in the House of Representatives for pensions for widowers and former soldiers. By the second day Davis has finally gathered enough votes to force Wadsworth and Morton out of the race. With Lincoln finally securing his nomination the choice of Vice President became down to two finalists Hannibal Hamlin of Maine or Cassius Clay of Indiana.
Hamlin would win out as Clay was a refugee from Kentucky who settled in Southern Indiana after keeping with his loyalty to the Union. Lincoln was born in Kentucky so the Republican bosses didn’t want a too heavy southern ticket going into the election.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 84: Democratic Nomination of 1868
With the decision of President Douglas not to seek renomination sent the Democratic Party into a frenzy. Also immediately Vice President Stanton stated his decision to go back into the private sector as a corporate railroad lawyer. By late June many contenders for the nomination began preparing for the convention that was slated to start on July 1st in Cincinnati, Ohio.
The main contenders were: former Major General and current Secretary of War George McClellan, former New York Governor and current Attorney General Horatio Seymour, Indiana Senator Thomas Hendricks, Senator Allen Thurmond of Ohio, Pennsylvania Representative Samuel J. Randall, Connecticut Governor William English plus favorite sons nominations as well. For three days July 1-3 politicians plotted and cajoled each other to gain their prize to be the nominee of the Democratic Party.
After all was said and done George McClellan won the nomination with Senator Thomas Hendricks as his running mate. McClellan’s platform called for continued support for the Transcontinental Railroad, and repeal of immigration acts passed during the Chase administration banning certain ethnic groups (Irish, German, and Catholics) from entering the country.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 85: US Election of 1868
The election that many saw as a Democrat coronation almost turned into a disaster. McClellan won by a huge electoral count but only lost the popular vote by some 3 million votes. McClellan claimed victory in New York with barley 7,000 votes. Many were shocked to see that many veterans voted Republican in protest to the many concessions to the Confederacy. Both sides claimed voter intimidation as Nativists targeted immigrant areas; while largely Irish and German groups battled Republican Nativists to claim their right to vote. Cities like Boston, Pittsburg, New York City, and Chicago became battleground on Election Day as some governors contemplate calling out local militias to bring order.
With their victory Democrats now claimed both houses of Congress, and even in defeat Republican politicians began to plot for the next election.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 86: Alaskan Purchase
In the early part of the 18th century Russia had claimed Alaska as a colony. By the late 1860 Alaska was a drain on Russia’ coffers and was becoming a way station for Social and Political dissidents. Fearful of losing the colony to either Great Britain or the Socialist German States Czar Alexander decided to try and sell to the United States and France. Emperor Napoleon III wasn’t interested as he was already involved in Southwest Asia, Mexico, and Italy and wasn’t ready for another commitment.
The United States after the Civil War was strapped for cash and President Douglas wasn’t ready to add to the national debt. The Confederate States on the other hand had no issues.
President Wise was intrigued with the offer, and even though the CSA was in the middle of an election year Wise was determined to go through with the purchase. After negotiating the price of Alaska down to $7 million Wise decided to wait until after the election results were made available that he announced the purchase. President elect Breckinridge praised the purchase while the defeated States Rights Party just cited another reason why the CSA needed saving.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 86: Native American Representation
Following the victory of the CSA over the Union and the election of his succor President Wise decided it was time to grant Confederate Citizenship to tribes loyal to the Confederacy. During the lame duck secession before the new Congress and President was sworn in the Cherokee Citizenship Act, Seminole Citizenship Act, Choctaw Citizenship Ave, Chickasaw Citizenship Act, Creek Citizenship Act, and the Osage Citizenship Act.
These acts allowed for the creation of smaller nation states within the Confederacy and granted representation in the Congress and the national level. Each tribe would be given two senators, and one representative. There were steps that each citizen of the tribes had to take in order to become eligible.
These acts would later help out other tribes become citizens and lay the groundwork for greater interaction with Native American tribes unlike their cousins in the United States.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 87: Breckinridge Cabinet

President John C. Breckinridge

Breckinridge Cabinet:
Vice President- Andrew Johnson
Secretary of State- Otto von Bismarck
Secretary of War- Albert S. Johnston
Secretary of Treasury- James A. Bayard
Secretary of Navy- Stephen Mallory
Attorney General- John T. Morgan
Postmaster General- William Smith

President Breckinridge offered both Secretary of War von Roon and Secretary of Navy Mallory to remain on in his administration. Mallory accepted but von Roon declined stating poor health which would take his life two years later. War department went to General Albert Johnston who served in the same position during the Texas Republic, showed great administration talents during his stint in Mexico helping to put down Mexican insurgents. Former Vice President von Bismarck was offered the State Department with their deployment of Secret Service Agents at his disposal. The powerful Senator from Delaware John Bayard was tapped for Treasury, with the task of helping to move Reconstruction money into the needed states, a very powerful patronage position. Attorney General went to Alabama Congressman John T. Morgan. As for the patronage rich position of Postmaster General went to former Virginia Governor William Smith.

 

[Virginia Liberal]

You missed the thread mark for chapter 86. Great updates by the way

 

[cheffisti]

You missed the thread mark for chapter 86. Great updates by the way

Thanks for the heads up

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 88: Juan Prim
Following the coup that ousted Queen Isabella Field Marshal Juan Prim was made Prime Minister by the Spanish Cortes. As a part of secret negotiations the Spanish Crown was offered to Prince Leopold of Hohenzollern Dynasty.
For assistance in dealing with the ongoing war with Chile, Peru, Bolivia, and Ecuador Spain agreed to allow the CSA to expand their sphere of influence within Dominica. This would bring neighboring Haiti closer into conflict with the CSA.
Following his grasp on power Prim began to round up Socialist agitators and German sympathizers within Spain. Liberal newspapers were watched as the new regime was seen as stronger than Queen Isabella.
Following the coronation of King Leopold I Spain nationalized the railroads along the CSA model, and moved closer to their Allies of France & CSA.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 89: Military Reforms
Once President Breckinridge took office the two men who had been behind the military victory over their northern counterparts Secretary of War von Roon and General Robert E. Lee had retired to public life. Lee would return to his beloved home of Arlington, and later at the behest of President Breckinridge took part in restoration of Washington D.C. Albrecht von Roon retired to a small plantation in Eastern Cuba where he wrote his memoirs.
The new Secretary of War Albert S. Johnston and General Helmut von Moltke General in Chief of all Confederate Armies saw technology as an advantage for the CSA in any new conflict. The Tredegar Military Institute was established that specialized in military technology. Some items that were immediately put forth were the Gatling Gun or aka “Coffee Grinders” & War Ballons or Air Ships. Officers like Brigadier Porter Alexander and Colonel Ferdinand von Zeppelin we’re assigned to the TMI to work on “Top Secret “ projects under the command of Major General Josiah Gorgas.
Both von Moltke and Secretary Johnston knew that there was only a matter of time before the North would want a rematch so new doctrine would be needed. Knowing that the CSA couldn’t match the US for population a defensive position would have to be maintained along the Eastern and Midwest regions while offensive operations could be mounted on limited basis in the West and Trans-Mississippi regions.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 90: Confederate Intervention in Dominica
With the concessions from Spain the CSA received portions of the eastern half of the island which included the port of Samana. Plans were already in the works to turn the port into a major naval base for the CSN. To help govern the area local politicians were asked to assist in the governing of the area, but the main power remained with the Military Governor Major General Alfred Mouton.
Mouton made great strides in winning over the local populace and pushing back Haitian guerrillas attempts to terrorize the local people. This was made easier since the majority of Mouton’s command consisted of the 1st & 2nd Louisiana Native Guards which was made up entirely of free men of color and mix race. It also helped that Mouton, a Catholic and spoke French and Spanish was able to communicate with the people.
By June of 1873 Prime Minister Prim seeing the money wasted in Dominica offered the rest of the island to the CSA for $3 million. President Breckinridge sent his Secretary of State Otto von Bismarck to Spain to finalize the negotiations. Before the year was up the CSA Senate would approve of the treaty, but not without some dissenting voices mainly Senator Jefferson Davis who didn’t want more inhabitants that weren’t Anglo-Saxon or Protestant.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 91: Republican Party Splinters
After it’s defeat in 1868 the Republican Party imploded into fighting amongst themselves. The first group to splinter off was the Nativist section of the party. Nativists concern themselves with immigration and border security along the CSA. The Nativists would form the American Party with notable leaders like: US Representative from Massachusetts Nathaniel Banks, former North California Governor Leland Sanford, US Representative from New York Roscoe Conkling, and Senator from Rhode Island William Sprague.
The American Party counted on support in rural areas, and during the struggling times after the war with the CSA economically hard hit areas of the country.
The other part of the Republican Party that splintered was the abolitionist. With huge concentration of support in New England and Ohio the new Free Soil Party main concern was the destruction of the CSA and slavery. Notable party leaders were: US Representative John Brown of Ohio, US Senator from Ohio John Sherman, former US Vice President Charles Sumner, US Senator from New Hampshire John Hale, and US Senator from New York William Seward.
With these defections that left the remaining party members to try and what many modern day politicians would call rebrand the Party. Leading up to the convention which was held in Cleveland, Ohio. In what would become the Liberal Republican Party party members built a platform first. Spearheaded by former candidate Abraham Lincoln civil service reform became the main topic, tarring reform, and an amendment was called for voting rights and equality for all men in regards to race, religion, or ethnicity. To carry their banner the Liberal Republicans choose the ticket of Illinois Senator Lyman Trumbull, and former Pennsylvania Governor Andrew Curtin for President and Vice President.
Following the new Liberal Republican Party nominations the Free Soil Party nominated former Vice President Charles Sumner and Representative John Bingham of Ohio for President and Vice President. Their main platform was for also an amendment to protect all men in regards to race, religion, and ethnicity plus a harder line toward the CSA see that nation as a abomination to the civilized world. The American Party nominated Nathaniel Banks and New York Representative William Wheeler for President and Vice President. Their platform called for stricter immigration reforms, tighter border with the CSS to stop the flow of escaping slaves into the US, and higher tariffs to protect US manufacturers.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 92: Democratic Nomination
With the Republican Party splintered President McClellan planned on becoming the first President since Zachary Taylor to be a two term president. When the Democratic Party gathered in Philadelphia in late June of 1872 the main question who would be McClellan’s running mate. Vice President Hendricks planned to step down after his term was over and wanted to run for a Senate seat in Indiana. In his place Ohio Representative and former Civil War Brigadier General George Morgan was placed on the ticket along side the President.
The Democratic Platform called for continued reduction of the national debt, continued peaceful coexistence with the CSA, and lower tariffs to simulate trade.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 93: Presidential Election
Everyone knew that this election was the Democrats to lose. The Liberal Republicans knew their only hope was to deny the Democrats their electoral victory and hope the election could be decided in the House of Representatives.
The Free Soil Party under Sumner captured the states of Maine, Vermont, and New Hampshire. The American Party under Banks took only Massachusetts but contended in New York, Pennsylvania, and Illinois. The Liberal Republicans took Rhode Island, Ohio, Michigan, Wisconsin, and Iowa. This left McClellan to secure the delegate rich states of New York, Pennsylvania, Illinois, and Indiana that secured the election.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 94: Nathan Bedford Forrest
Nathan Bedford Forrest was many things throughout his life: a plantation owner, businessman, but the one thing he is remembered the most is as an officer in the Confederate Army. When the first shots were fired in Baltimore, Maryland Forrest enlisted as a private. Later rising to the rank of Colonel Forrest raised a regiment of cavalry from Tennessee. During the war Forrest fought in many campaign in Kentucky and Missouri using guerrilla tactics that he was developing himself. After the war Forrest decided to remain in the army and was given the rank of Lt. General and sent to Central America in command of the XX Corps tasked with keeping the peace in the CSA sphere of influence under the command of General James Longstreet.
While serving in Confederate Central America Forrest worked along side of William Quantrill the head of the KGC dealing with abolitionist filibusters trying to force the CSA out of Central America. When dealing with captured abolitionist Forrest dealt with them in a cruel manner. Since these mercenaries were without a country Forrest, a former slave catcher, treated them worst than run away slaves. When word reached General Longstreet found out he reprimanded his subordinate, Forrest wasn’t one to take kindly to discipline. By late 1872 Forrest threatened to shoot Longstreet, and if it weren’t for Forrest’s brother Jeffrey diffusion of the situation then the CSA could had lost one it’s famed generals. After the Longstreet incident Forrest was forced to resign, but once out of uniform Nathan Bedford Forrest still wasn’t done yet and wanted to settle his score with Longstreet.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 95: Confederate Supreme Court
During Breckinridge term the President was able to nominate two associates and a Chief Justice to the court. Associate Albert Rust died on April 4, 1870 of a brain abscess. To fill his spot the President nominated Kentuckian Edward Crossland of the Kentucky state circuit court. The following year Associate Justice Andrew Donelson passed away giving Breckinridge the opportunity to nominate former Virginia Lt. Governor Samuel Price to the post.
On May 5, 1873 Chief Justice James Orr suffered a massive heart attack and would die three days later. This gave President Breckinridge the opportunity to name current Ambassador to the United States, former Lt. General and personal Friend of the president Thomas Crittenden.

 

[cheffisti]

Chapter 96: Confederate Presidential Election 1873
Following its disastrous last two showings the State Rights Party finally believed it got it right by naming Mississippi Senator Jefferson Davis and former Lt. General Nathan Bedford Forrest as their nominees for President and Vice President. During the war Forrest served under Davis and was said the CSA would had been better suited if Davis was selected as the Confederacy’s first president.
The Christian Democrats on the other hand were divided as Vice President Andrew Johnson and Senator James Kemper of Virginia battled for their party’s nomination. As these two titans battled for their nomination Secretary of State Otto von Bismarck was secretly putting himself forward as a compromise candidate. Bismarck who had been Secretary of State twice and the Second Vice President of the CSA wielded immense influence, and he was determined to seize his moment.
After securing the the nomination with the help of Johnson and former President Wise Bismarck offered the second spot on the ticket to Kemper, but the Senator decided to remain in the Senate where he felt better suited to influence legislation. Instead the party nominated Missouri Congressman Francis P. Blair for Vice President. It was seemed by many that Blair was selected for his popularity with the poor average Confederate voter just the same reason as Forrest was for the States Rights Party.
Many historians judged that the election was sealed once Forrest was put on the ticket. Almost immediately he railed against a Popist conspiracy as if he was a Northern Nativist candidate. Forrest’s remarks soon turned many Catholic voters in Cuba away from the State’s Rights Party, and ultimately the election. The real nail in the coffin was a report leaked from General James Longstreet claiming Forrest’s routine of not following orders, and threats against fellow officers. By the time of the elections the average voter was turned off by Forrest’s threats and bombastic bravado. The 1873 was almost a complete sweep except for the states of South Carolina, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Florida that saw Bismarck & Blair into the Presidency.

 

[YankeeCharlemagne]

This is honestly such an interesting idea for a timeline and I definitely can't wait to see more.

 

[NedStark]

@cheffisti I begin to expect a much more ideological Great War explicitly divided between a Republican Bloc and a Monarchist Bloc down the road ITTL.

The problem is that, the Republics would have absolutely outmatched the Monarchies in economy and industry by 1900.