Thomas Jefferson dies of Yellow Fever, 1793

robertp6165

In researching my reply to a post on another thread, I discovered that there was a major epidemic of Yellow Fever in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania during the summer of 1793. At that time, the Federal Government was headquartered in the city, and among those fleeing the city seeking refuge from the epidemic in the countryside were such notable Founding Fathers as George Washington and Thomas Jefferson.

But, what if, as he is boarding his carriage to flee the city, Thomas Jefferson feels an itching sensation on the back of his neck, marking the spot where a mosquito has bitten him. He dies a month later, wracked with pain, as his liver shuts down.

With Jefferson removed from the scene pre-maturely, what happens? A number of intriguing questions arise.

1) Without Jefferson's leadership, does Alexander Hamilton's Federalist Party prevail in the long-term against the embryonic Democratic Republican Party which Jefferson was beginning to rally in the early 1790s? Do we end up with a much more centralized state, much sooner?

2) Do the Virginia and Kentucky Resolutions, which established much of the theory behind the States Rights arguments used by various secession and nullification movements in the early 19th Century, still get written and passed?

3) Who becomes President in 1800? President Aaron Burr, anyone?

4) Do we make the Louisiana Purchase?

5) Will there still be a war of 1812, or will a more Anglo-philic President ally America against Napoleon?

Any thoughts on these potential butterflies, or ideas for others?
 

Jason Sleeman

Jefferson

No Civil War perhaps without the issue of nullification

Aquisition of Louisianna may not take place if Federalists remain in power for a longer period.

Many varied possibilities.... a great what if !
 

Historico

Most like Alexander Hamiltion is able to mold the Federalists into an strong rival for the Most Likley Shambled Democratic Republican Party. Hamiltion get's elected president...and There probably won't be an strong Democratic Republican Representative Seven years after Jefferson's Death. Here are some Possiblities though.

1. Would the Federalists even have the Barbary Wars, or if they did...Would they try to hold on to some territory in North Africa?

2. Under Federalists rulership, would we see harsher, earlier black codes on slaves after hearing of the Prosser Revolt in Virgina?

3. Since Alexander Hamiltion was born in the Carribean(Can't Remeber what Isle it was) will he be even eligible for the Presidency? If not who could be an controlable puppet for Hamilition to manipulate while in office?

4. There most likely wont be an Lousiana Purchise...But I predict and British/American War against Napolean....However, Would we win such an different war, and how much of the Land of the Lousiana would the British Take?

5. No Hartford Convention...The New Englanders get what they want, and might decicde to cause friction between the Southern States earlier?
 

Jason

1) Yes, I think the wars would have happened anyway but I can't see any American government of that time wanting to lumber itself with territory in North Africa.

3) I thought that the law on this one stated you either had to be born in the Republic or a citizen of the Republic at the date the law was passed to become president.

4) I think the Brits wouldn't be bothered with Louisiana. Far more likely would be an agreement-Louisiana to the USA, French Caribbean island to the Brits. I think it's fair to say that whilst the British were keen to attack the French Caribbean colonies, there was never an attempt ot suggestion to seize Louisiana.

Historico said:
Most like Alexander Hamiltion is able to mold the Federalists into an strong rival for the Most Likley Shambled Democratic Republican Party. Hamiltion get's elected president...and There probably won't be an strong Democratic Republican Representative Seven years after Jefferson's Death. Here are some Possiblities though.

1. Would the Federalists even have the Barbary Wars, or if they did...Would they try to hold on to some territory in North Africa?

2. Under Federalists rulership, would we see harsher, earlier black codes on slaves after hearing of the Prosser Revolt in Virgina?

3. Since Alexander Hamiltion was born in the Carribean(Can't Remeber what Isle it was) will he be even eligible for the Presidency? If not who could be an controlable puppet for Hamilition to manipulate while in office?

4. There most likely wont be an Lousiana Purchise...But I predict and British/American War against Napolean....However, Would we win such an different war, and how much of the Land of the Lousiana would the British Take?

5. No Hartford Convention...The New Englanders get what they want, and might decicde to cause friction between the Southern States earlier?
Click to expand...
 

Faeelin

The US gets the world's 4th or 5th largest navies by 1807, and supports the revolutionaries across Latin America, as Hamiton wanted.
 

Historico

Now, What about having The US...after supporting the Latin American Revolutions be accepted in the US as Territories...and slowly turned into States. And If Both the Brits and Americans wage war against Napolean why wouldn't they split the Lousiana Territory. The Southern Portion going to the US, The Northern into Canada?
 
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