Okay, I am going to attempt to re-write my ill-fated “We’ll Rally Once Again, which died young (perhaps for the better…) due to a case of writer’s block and laziness. The original thread can be found here:
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=81087 There will be some-actually many-changes from the original timeline. Please, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. POD is that in the Peace of Amiens, the British give in to all of its demands, and they evacuate Malta (which was one of the prime "indirect" reasons that tensions escalated until the War of the Third Coalition was declared in 1805). This results in the War of the Third Coalition beginning a bit later, and France never sells Louisiana in 1803. Resulting butterflies will result in larger changes as time marches on…and so, I give you, not “We’ll Rally Once Again”, but instead something else. Welcome to…THE STATE OF REVOLUTION.
*****
The First Decade: 1800's
1802
***POD***
The Peace of Amiens is signed, ending the War of the Second Coalition. Britain agrees to follow the Peace more truthfully, and evacuates its presence from Malta. This prevents the escalation of tensions, which in OTL, led to war in 1804/1805.
1803
The French colonial army in Haiti decisively defeats the Haitian rebels at the Battle of Vertieres, in mid-November. Over the next few months, the French colonial army shall sweep through Haiti, defeating all resistance, and consolidating the colony for France.
In result of these victories, Napoleon realizes that there still might be hope for his secret North American empire, and talks of the US buying Louisiana are again scuffled.
1804-1805
These two years are marked by escalating tensions throughout Europe, as the major powers again become concerned of France, and the defeated begin to resent the charges pressed upon them at the Peace of Amiens. In the meantime, US President Thomas Jefferson allocates several thousand dollars for the Expedition of Lewis-Clarke to reach the Pacific and explore Louisiana, despite the fact that the territory is not American. The French, distracted with other matters pay no attention to the small expedition.
1806
Despite the Peace of Amiens, war finally breaks out in 1806, and a belated War of the Third Coalition finally begins.
In late summer, British troops land in Louisiana, and capture New Orleans, effectively cutting off the scant French forces in the interior, basically eliminating the French presence in Louisiana, and giving them control of the Mississippi as well. The US government condemns this move.
In September, one of the war’s most decisive battles, the Battle of Cabo de La Roca (Cape of the Rock in English) occurs in the waters off of Portugal’s Cape of the Rock. In it, the British fleet manages to decisively defeat the combined Franco-Spanish fleet, and secure their control of the oceans.
Napoleon, now realizing that he has lost most of his navy, decides to sell Louisiana, knowing that it is not doing him any good, and that with most of his fleet at the bottom of the sea, or in British hands, he will not be able to live up to his dreams of an “American Empire.” The US buys it for about $17 million (including interest, and the cancellation of debts), but with British troops already there, and unwilling to leave, tensions rise. The US demands for the British to leave, to no avail.
1807
A British attempt to invade Rio de La Plata is soundly defeated. This defeat signifies the end of further British attempts to take South America from Spain, as they realize that the costs outweigh the potential benefits.
In North America, across the Mississippi, border skirmishes break out between Britain and the US near the Louisiana border. The British consider raising taxes for boats traveling through the Mississippi, creating uproar with the US population, and straining relations between the two.
In May, the War of the Third Coalition is ends with France and her allies victorious. However, Prussia fears that the French will only grow stronger thanks to the defeat of the Austrians. A new war seems imminent.
In November, Portugal is invaded by a joint Franco-Spanish Army; the Portuguese government is captured, and Portugal is split into two kingdoms; both of them cede some of their lands to Spain. Spain, the (rump) Kingdom of Portugal, and the Kingdom of Northern Lusitania thus join the Continental System. Spain also gains the Algarves and most of the Alentejo (central Portugal) in the process. Brazil is also de jure split between Spain and France.
1808
The Finnish War ends with a sound Russian defeat, though some minor border adjustments are made to appease the Russians. Finland, however, remains a part of Sweden.
Throughout the rest of continental Europe, the War of the Fourth Coalition rages in a perpetual stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Finally, after several years of tension, saber-rattling, and border clashes, James Madison asks for Congress to give him a declaration of war on Britain. Congress narrowly concedes, though much of the US populace is unsure if going to war with such a strong power as Britain is safe. However, many cite the fact that the US has agreed to pay over $20 million dollars for the land, and that it was stolen from them.
Some people also begin to think that it was not a fair deal in the first place, considering that the British already had control of New Orleans, the territories economic and cultural hub.
Along the Mississippi, the border clashes intensify. Britain, in response, also declares war on the US, and initiates a blockade. However, Britain’s navy is too far stretched, and blockade runners and raiders continuously wreak havoc and slip through. In the Great Lakes region, fleets of gunboats battle for control of the waterways. US Army elements, combined with gun-toting settlers, begin encroaching upon Louisiana.
1809
The US launches a full-fledged invasion across the Mississippi (in OTL present day northern Louisiana), overwhelming the initial British force at the Battle of Vidalia Landing. They quickly march southwards, intent on encircling New Orleans.
By April, the Americans have laid siege to the city. However, the Royal Navy lands reinforcements, and a British counter-attack succeeds in routing them, freeing southern Louisiana. The US, however, maintains control of the rest of Louisiana state, and the US government encourages settlers to move in and claim their rightful lands. Hundreds flock to Louisiana and Arkansas.
In the Great Lakes, US and British ships continue to battle for control of the region by sea, while troops on the ground clash. An American attack on York (Toronto) ends in a decisive victory, yet a few weeks later, they are bloodily repulsed from Montreal. Following British campaigns push them back out of Canada.
In Europe, the French score a decisive victory over Prussia and Russia, at the Battle of Luckenwalde, and capture a good sized portion of the Prusso-Russian army. After nearly two years of war, and having lost a large army, the Fourth Coalition agrees to peace.
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=81087 There will be some-actually many-changes from the original timeline. Please, constructive criticism is greatly appreciated. POD is that in the Peace of Amiens, the British give in to all of its demands, and they evacuate Malta (which was one of the prime "indirect" reasons that tensions escalated until the War of the Third Coalition was declared in 1805). This results in the War of the Third Coalition beginning a bit later, and France never sells Louisiana in 1803. Resulting butterflies will result in larger changes as time marches on…and so, I give you, not “We’ll Rally Once Again”, but instead something else. Welcome to…THE STATE OF REVOLUTION.
*****
The First Decade: 1800's
1802
***POD***
The Peace of Amiens is signed, ending the War of the Second Coalition. Britain agrees to follow the Peace more truthfully, and evacuates its presence from Malta. This prevents the escalation of tensions, which in OTL, led to war in 1804/1805.
1803
The French colonial army in Haiti decisively defeats the Haitian rebels at the Battle of Vertieres, in mid-November. Over the next few months, the French colonial army shall sweep through Haiti, defeating all resistance, and consolidating the colony for France.
In result of these victories, Napoleon realizes that there still might be hope for his secret North American empire, and talks of the US buying Louisiana are again scuffled.
1804-1805
These two years are marked by escalating tensions throughout Europe, as the major powers again become concerned of France, and the defeated begin to resent the charges pressed upon them at the Peace of Amiens. In the meantime, US President Thomas Jefferson allocates several thousand dollars for the Expedition of Lewis-Clarke to reach the Pacific and explore Louisiana, despite the fact that the territory is not American. The French, distracted with other matters pay no attention to the small expedition.
1806
Despite the Peace of Amiens, war finally breaks out in 1806, and a belated War of the Third Coalition finally begins.
In late summer, British troops land in Louisiana, and capture New Orleans, effectively cutting off the scant French forces in the interior, basically eliminating the French presence in Louisiana, and giving them control of the Mississippi as well. The US government condemns this move.
In September, one of the war’s most decisive battles, the Battle of Cabo de La Roca (Cape of the Rock in English) occurs in the waters off of Portugal’s Cape of the Rock. In it, the British fleet manages to decisively defeat the combined Franco-Spanish fleet, and secure their control of the oceans.
Napoleon, now realizing that he has lost most of his navy, decides to sell Louisiana, knowing that it is not doing him any good, and that with most of his fleet at the bottom of the sea, or in British hands, he will not be able to live up to his dreams of an “American Empire.” The US buys it for about $17 million (including interest, and the cancellation of debts), but with British troops already there, and unwilling to leave, tensions rise. The US demands for the British to leave, to no avail.
1807
A British attempt to invade Rio de La Plata is soundly defeated. This defeat signifies the end of further British attempts to take South America from Spain, as they realize that the costs outweigh the potential benefits.
In North America, across the Mississippi, border skirmishes break out between Britain and the US near the Louisiana border. The British consider raising taxes for boats traveling through the Mississippi, creating uproar with the US population, and straining relations between the two.
In May, the War of the Third Coalition is ends with France and her allies victorious. However, Prussia fears that the French will only grow stronger thanks to the defeat of the Austrians. A new war seems imminent.
In November, Portugal is invaded by a joint Franco-Spanish Army; the Portuguese government is captured, and Portugal is split into two kingdoms; both of them cede some of their lands to Spain. Spain, the (rump) Kingdom of Portugal, and the Kingdom of Northern Lusitania thus join the Continental System. Spain also gains the Algarves and most of the Alentejo (central Portugal) in the process. Brazil is also de jure split between Spain and France.
1808
The Finnish War ends with a sound Russian defeat, though some minor border adjustments are made to appease the Russians. Finland, however, remains a part of Sweden.
Throughout the rest of continental Europe, the War of the Fourth Coalition rages in a perpetual stalemate, with neither side able to break the deadlock.
Finally, after several years of tension, saber-rattling, and border clashes, James Madison asks for Congress to give him a declaration of war on Britain. Congress narrowly concedes, though much of the US populace is unsure if going to war with such a strong power as Britain is safe. However, many cite the fact that the US has agreed to pay over $20 million dollars for the land, and that it was stolen from them.
Some people also begin to think that it was not a fair deal in the first place, considering that the British already had control of New Orleans, the territories economic and cultural hub.
Along the Mississippi, the border clashes intensify. Britain, in response, also declares war on the US, and initiates a blockade. However, Britain’s navy is too far stretched, and blockade runners and raiders continuously wreak havoc and slip through. In the Great Lakes region, fleets of gunboats battle for control of the waterways. US Army elements, combined with gun-toting settlers, begin encroaching upon Louisiana.
1809
The US launches a full-fledged invasion across the Mississippi (in OTL present day northern Louisiana), overwhelming the initial British force at the Battle of Vidalia Landing. They quickly march southwards, intent on encircling New Orleans.
By April, the Americans have laid siege to the city. However, the Royal Navy lands reinforcements, and a British counter-attack succeeds in routing them, freeing southern Louisiana. The US, however, maintains control of the rest of Louisiana state, and the US government encourages settlers to move in and claim their rightful lands. Hundreds flock to Louisiana and Arkansas.
In the Great Lakes, US and British ships continue to battle for control of the region by sea, while troops on the ground clash. An American attack on York (Toronto) ends in a decisive victory, yet a few weeks later, they are bloodily repulsed from Montreal. Following British campaigns push them back out of Canada.
In Europe, the French score a decisive victory over Prussia and Russia, at the Battle of Luckenwalde, and capture a good sized portion of the Prusso-Russian army. After nearly two years of war, and having lost a large army, the Fourth Coalition agrees to peace.