Turbulent Times :: A Timeline

Penelope

Banned
Sorry, no update yet. :( There will be one up before the night is over, don't worry. :)

Just to keep you all up to date on the Rockefeller Cabinet, please refer to this post for all new additions, new cabinet positions, resignations, and replacements.


The Rockefeller Cabinet
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
President: Nelson Rockefeller
Vice President: Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr
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Secretary of State: John Sherman Cooper
Secretary of the Treasury: C. Douglas Dillon
Secretary of Defense: Robert McNamara
Secretary of Justice/Attorney General: Thomas E. Dewey
Postmaster General: William M. Blount
Secretary of Interior: Fred Andrew Seaton*
Secretary of Agriculture: Clifford M. Hardin
Secretary of Commerce: Mark Hatfield
Secretary of Labor: Margaret Chase Smith
Secretary of HEW: Oveta C. Hobby+
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
White House Chief of Staff: H. R. Haldeman
White House Press Secretary: Robert MacNeil
Foreign Policy Advisor: Henry Kissinger
Ambassador to the United Nations: Alfred Gruenther


*Carried over from Previous Admin.
+Served once before.
 
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Penelope

Banned
The Civil Rights Movement

1963 saw the escalation of the Civil Rights Movement in America. In early January, Martin Luther King, Jr would lead a Civil Rights March on Washington, D.C. after the Savannah Church Bombing. The Savannah Church Bombing was possible the most horrific moment of the American Civil Rights Movement; 7 Ku Klux Klan members would approach an African American Church in Savannah, Georgia, on a Sunday morning during Chuch hours, and began hurling explosives at the church. The explosives would cause a fire that burned the entire Church down, over 44 people would be killed, and 21 more would be injured. After hearing of the news, Martin Luther King organized a march from Richmond, Virginia, all the way to the nation's capital in Washington, D.C. During this march, on several occasions, many Ku Klux Klan members would attempt to attack or stop the marchers. Thankfully, they would prevail. At the end of the Second March on Washington by Martin Luther King, he would deliver his famous "My vision" speech, which outlined his belief for Civil Rights for all Americans. At the end of the speech, several Government Officials, including President Rockefeller, and Senator Kennedy would also make speeches for the cause.

"Last Sunday, more than eight thousand of us started on a mighty walk from Richmond, Virginia. We have walked through desolate valleys and across the trying hills. We have walked on meandering highways and rested our bodies on rocky byways. Some of our faces are burned from the outpourings of the sweltering sun. Some have literally slept in the mud. We have been drenched by the rains."

-An excerpt from MLK's Famous speech.

Martin_Luther_King_-_March_on_Washington.jpg


The Cuban Missile Crisis

"Direct aggression against Cuba would mean nuclear war. The Americans speak about such aggression as if they did not know or did not want to accept this fact. I have no doubt they would lose such a war."

-Ernesto "Che" Guevera, February 1963.

The year would begin with one of the most fear inducing events that the world has ever seen. The Cuban Missile Crises began on January 14th, 1963; when UN Ambassador Alfred Gruenther revealed to the United Nations several airborne pictures of Russian Missiles in several locations in Cuba. In possibly one of the most famous moments of Gruenther's Career, just before showing the photographs, he would forcefully ask Soviet Ambassador, Valerian Zorin, if the Soviet Union was installing Russian Missiles in Cuba, which he would famously puncuate with "Don't wait for the damned translation, just answer 'yes' or 'no'!". Zorin refused to answer the question, and as such, Gruenther would then show the U.N. the US aquired images of Soviet Missiles. What would follow was what many claim was the closest that the United States ever got to going to war with the Soviet Union.

The Cuban Missile Crisis would reach it's most critical point in February 1963, the Joint Chiefs of Staff would instruct the Strategic Air Command to go to DEFCON 2, the first of two recorded times, after Khrushchev had issued a statement which read that "The United States' 'pirate action' [would] lead to war..". By the end of the night, President Rockefeller had met with his Cabinet, in the wee hours of the morning, to discuss possible outcomes to the crisis. After several hours of discussion with top military advisors, including Foreign Policy Advisor Henry Kissinger, the one conclusion seemed to be an amphibian invasion of Cuba, with a possible nuclear strike on the Soviet Union if necessary. Everything pointed toward what many believed could be the end of the Earth as we knew it. President Rockefeller and his cabinet would eventually enter into a secret meeting with Soviet Union officials. On the night of March 1st, 1963, the crisis was finally settled. President Rockefeller secretly agreed to remove all missiles that had been placed in Turkey, in exchange for the Soviet Union removing all missiles placed in Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis would prove to be an incredible foreign policy victory for the administration, in contrast to the humiliation that was the Bay of Pigs invasion.
 
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SFG: I'll be gentle and remind you that keeping too close to OTL regarding the CMC should be avoided. Not the final outcome, but remember why this happened IOTL. When Khrushchev met JFK in Vienna in '61 IOTL he thought him a "rich, over-educated mommy's boy" and roughed him up in their meetings. He would not have done that to Nixon, knowing that Nixon was not a softie. Probably the same for Rocky.

As regards CR: excellent work.
 

Penelope

Banned
SFG: I'll be gentle and remind you that keeping too close to OTL regarding the CMC should be avoided. Not the final outcome, but remember why this happened IOTL. When Khrushchev met JFK in Vienna in '61 IOTL he thought him a "rich, over-educated mommy's boy" and roughed him up in their meetings. He would not have done that to Nixon, knowing that Nixon was not a softie. Probably the same for Rocky.

As regards CR: excellent work.

Hmm, I thought about changing the CMC up a bit, but I ultimately decided to let the butterflies wait a while. Things are going to be a bit quiet until '64. Unless you have a suggestion?
 
As regards '62: remember what I told you: the MA Republican candidate is Governor John Volpe. You know who his victorious Dem opponent is. ;)
 
Awesome timeline you got here Scifiguy, Having Killed Tricky Dick after recieving the nomination was very clever(I assume that it was a blood clot from his phlebitis or something), and Rocky getting the nomination was pretty cool. I think there were also plenty of Elder Statesmen in the GOP, for him to pick other than Ford...Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois or Senator John Sherman Cooper of Kentucky would have been very strong choices.

Rocky seems to be more of the consensus, any problem could be solved just by discussing kind of Guy. Might he go into Mississippi, and trying to get the State Government and the NAACP to come to terms with eachother in August of 1963 and end up getting assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith? Lodge doesn't have the personality to win on his own...So we may see a latter Kennedy Presidency in '65...Keep it comming.
 

Penelope

Banned
Awesome timeline you got here Scifiguy, Having Killed Tricky Dick after recieving the nomination was very clever(I assume that it was a blood clot from his phlebitis or something), and Rocky getting the nomination was pretty cool. I think there were also plenty of Elder Statesmen in the GOP, for him to pick other than Ford...Senator Everett Dirksen of Illinois or Senator John Sherman Cooper of Kentucky would have been very strong choices.

Rocky seems to be more of the consensus, any problem could be solved just by discussing kind of Guy. Might he go into Mississippi, and trying to get the State Government and the NAACP to come to terms with eachother in August of 1963 and end up getting assassinated by Byron De La Beckwith? Lodge doesn't have the personality to win on his own...So we may see a latter Kennedy Presidency in '65...Keep it comming.

Ah! There's someone I can put into the State Dept.
 

Penelope

Banned
SMATHERS, SYMINGTON ANNOUNCE CANDIDACIES

-Headline of the New York Times, September 9th, 1963.

**


With the Cuban Missile Crisis settled, President Rockefeller's mind turned to Civil Rights once again, but this was not the only thing he was concerned about – The 1964 Presidential Election was fast approaching. By September '63, he faced challenges from Senator George A. Smathers of Florida and Senator Stuart Symington, but with his 1960 defeat, Senator John Kennedy declined to run in 1964 – much to the relief of the President. A Kennedy run would likely cut Rockefeller's Presidency short. Instead, Kennedy would travel around the country for most of the remaining year, choosing to campaign for Civil Rights, rather than himself. By Mid-October, Scoop Jackson of Washington announced his candidacy, and Hubert Humphrey would announce his candidacy at the end of the month. Unfortunately for Humphrey, as the campaign dragged on, support for Humphrey proved to have died away, instead, most Democrats would instead opt for candidates like Jackson and Smathers.The two Democrats would ultimately be locked in a fierce battle for the candidacy, which would drag on right to the convention in August. It would be on a warm day in Atlantic City, that the delegates would reveal that their nominee would be George A. Smathers of Florida. Due to the fierce campaign battle, Smathers would not select Scoop Jackson to be Vice President, but would instead choose Minnesota Senator Hubert Humphrey as Vice Presidential Candidate, after being unable to get Senator John Kennedy of Massachusetts on the ticket.

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The Democratic Ticket; George A. Smathers & Hubert Humphrey

**

It was on August 19th, 1963, that the Civil Rights Movement came to it's most chaotic, and possibly most crucial point. President Nelson Rockefeller and Senator Lyndon Johnson would travel to Jackson, Mississipii, to campaign for Civil Rights with Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Byron De La Beckwith, a white supremicist, would fire off 3 shots with a revolver during the middle of President Rockefeller's speech. The first bullet would clip Rockefeller's shoulder, and dive into the higher Johnson's chest. The second and third bullets would miss entirely, as Beckwith was taken down by Secret Service Agents, but the damage was already done. The President was not significantly harmed, but Senator Lyndon Baines Johnson would be taken to nearest hospital immediately, and suffered through the night from internal bleeding and severe pain in the chest. Senator Johnson would die the following morning from heart failure, as a result of the wound.

1963_march_on_washington.jpg


An image of the protesters shortly before the assassination of Lyndon Johnson.

**

Rockefeller and Smathers had discussed the possibility of a debate, but none were ultimately held, Rockefeller simply denied to hold one, possibly due to his bitter demeanor following the assassination attempt. President N Although the 1964 Election would be hard-faught, the succession of events leading up to the election, such as the attempted assassination, would give more and more support to President Rockefeller. By November, most people who had been watching the election already knew the outcome. Although the 1964 Election is certainly not the most intresting, it is one of the most groundbreaking. It helped construct most modern electoral strategies, and defined the "Rights Belt", consisting of the Confederate States, Texas, and Maryland, and the "Solid Red Rockies", consisting of most Western States, save for the Pacific region states. Many still wonder what would have happened in Smathers had come out victorious - as the popular vote count was quite close in some states. But a Democratic Victory was simply not the case in 1964. Smathers would give his concession speech at approximately 11:45 PM, and President Rockefeller would give his speech at 12:30 AM an hour later.

Nelson Rockefeller / Henry Cabot Lodge, Jr. - 306 - 53.4%
George A. Smathers / Hubert Humphrey - 232 - 46.73%

genusmap.php


Incumbent President: Nelson A. Rockefeller (R)

OOC: Sorry if the writing seems a little dry, but it's 2 in the morning and I need to get to sleep. I'll consider revising tomorrow.

EDIT2: Allright, indepth election post will be up around 3:00.
 
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Hmm...Yeah I think a revision is probably needed lol, Why did you change the map color scheme? Everyone on the board who uses Leip's maps knows that GOP=Blue, DEM=RED. I think someone could be mentioned on some Domestic Legislation that Rocky would try to get passed such as more on the Ameritrain system, Public Work's programs and other Social Welfare Gains. On Civil Rights, Im pretty sure Rocky would use Lyndon's Death and his almost assassination(You did away with the 20 year curse, you bastard:p) to get a Civil Rights Bill bill passed on OTL lines.

On the ALT 1964 US Presidential Election, I think it could be elaborated on more. With Rockefeller rulling pretty much as a "New Deal Light", Conservative Republicans will be pissed and still resentful that Rocky was even chosen in the wake of Nixon's death in 1960. I think a challenge is likely considering how much Barry and Rocky hated eachother. It doesn't mean Goldwater is going to upset him for the nomination but to atleast let them know that they could if they had the chance. Also I doubt that Vice President Lodge, would stand for reelection. With his age, the marginlization of the office of the VEEP, and a Conservative challenge...There will probably be much more pressure from the Party bosses to get Lodge to step aside. Replacement picks include Senator Robert Hruska of Nebraska, former Governor Cecil Underwood of West Virgina, former Ike Attorney General William P. Rogers of Maryland, Senator Thurston B. Morton of Kentucky, House Minority Leader Charles Halleck of Indiana.

On the Democratic Side, If Jack's health issues aren't acting up(Which without the added stress of the Presidency, I don't think his addisons would be nearly as bad) I think he may run again(But he may pull an OTL Nixon and run again in '68). Other than seeing how close the Primary race was in 1960, Jack's defeat will probably be blamed on his Catholcisim and HHH will be the frontrunner. However, Humphrey had pretty much pissed off all the Southern Delegates since '48 in his Convention speech and ardent support of Civil Rights that's why I think he struggled IOTL during his bids in the '60's and '70's. I actually think Smather's is a plausible choice for the '64 nominee, since he has all the qualites that Jack had, a Young Popular Senator with Boyishly good looks who kinda had a transparent Record. With the added qualities of being a true Southernor lol. I think Smather's could have taken Rockefeller, weakend by a Presidential Challenger, and going with the 12 year rule American's would have gone for Change. That's just my 2 cents:D
 

Penelope

Banned
Hmm...Yeah I think a revision is probably needed lol, Why did you change the map color scheme? Everyone on the board who uses Leip's maps knows that GOP=Blue, DEM=RED. I think someone could be mentioned on some Domestic Legislation that Rocky would try to get passed such as more on the Ameritrain system, Public Work's programs and other Social Welfare Gains. On Civil Rights, Im pretty sure Rocky would use Lyndon's Death and his almost assassination(You did away with the 20 year curse, you bastard:p) to get a Civil Rights Bill bill passed on OTL lines.

On the ALT 1964 US Presidential Election, I think it could be elaborated on more. With Rockefeller rulling pretty much as a "New Deal Light", Conservative Republicans will be pissed and still resentful that Rocky was even chosen in the wake of Nixon's death in 1960. I think a challenge is likely considering how much Barry and Rocky hated eachother. It doesn't mean Goldwater is going to upset him for the nomination but to atleast let them know that they could if they had the chance. Also I doubt that Vice President Lodge, would stand for reelection. With his age, the marginlization of the office of the VEEP, and a Conservative challenge...There will probably be much more pressure from the Party bosses to get Lodge to step aside. Replacement picks include Senator Robert Hruska of Nebraska, former Governor Cecil Underwood of West Virgina, former Ike Attorney General William P. Rogers of Maryland, Senator Thurston B. Morton of Kentucky, House Minority Leader Charles Halleck of Indiana.

On the Democratic Side, If Jack's health issues aren't acting up(Which without the added stress of the Presidency, I don't think his addisons would be nearly as bad) I think he may run again(But he may pull an OTL Nixon and run again in '68). Other than seeing how close the Primary race was in 1960, Jack's defeat will probably be blamed on his Catholcisim and HHH will be the frontrunner. However, Humphrey had pretty much pissed off all the Southern Delegates since '48 in his Convention speech and ardent support of Civil Rights that's why I think he struggled IOTL during his bids in the '60's and '70's. I actually think Smather's is a plausible choice for the '64 nominee, since he has all the qualites that Jack had, a Young Popular Senator with Boyishly good looks who kinda had a transparent Record. With the added qualities of being a true Southernor lol. I think Smather's could have taken Rockefeller, weakend by a Presidential Challenger, and going with the 12 year rule American's would have gone for Change. That's just my 2 cents:D

The only reason I changed the color scheme was because the 1964 Election map already has a lot of red on it. ;)

Yeah, Smathers could've taken Rocky IATL, if the LBJ assination and Rocky's own near assassination had not happened, but public support and such tore apart such a hope. In actuallity, the election was pretty close in high-electoral count states, which I'll go into detail in my next post this afternoon. On the legislative front, Rocky hasn't been getting much passed except for some transportation and education stuff, but that won't be mentioned until a bit later on. After I follow up with a detailed election post, I'll be going into national things (Soviet Union, Yugoslavia, etc.)
 

Penelope

Banned
The Civil Rights Act of 1964

The assassination of Lyndon Johnson was a godsend to Civil Rights Activists in America. The powerful Senate Majority leader from Texas, who had supported Civil Rights himself, had given a sympathetic side to the Civil Rights Movement when he died. This sympathetic side resulted in the Civil Rights Act of 1964; a groundbreaking piece of legislation that banned racial segregation in transportation vehicles, resutrants, bars, and all public and private places. It abolished and invalidated Jim Crow laws and extended full voting rights to all non-caucasian races in America. On August 2nd, 1964, President Nelson Rockefeller would sign the landmark legislation, surrounded by Senators Humphrey and Kennedy, Vice President Lodge, and Former Presidents Harry Truman and Dwight D. Eisenhower. President Rockefeller would declare August 2nd a national holiday, "Freedom Day", celebrating the day that racial equality was set across the nation.

It was also on this day that President Rockefeller would announce his "Plan for Prosperity", a grouping of Social Reforms and Legislative acts that would expand infrastructure, decrease poverty, and help expand American Healthcare. The First Teir of the Plan for Prosperity would be the "Ameri-structure Program", a infrastructure expansion program intended to build upon the recent Highway Expansions by President Eisenhower. It would eventually lead the the "Interways" that were build across the country in the late Seventies and early Eighties. The proposal also included a research into high speed railways across the east and west coasts, something that would certainly take millions - possibly even billions of dollars to accomplish, but as President Rockefeller stated; "A valuable investment in the long run."

Senator John F. Kennedy would also make his famous speech describing his feelings about the passage of the Civil Rights Act;

"We observe today not a victory of party but a celebration of freedom, symbolizing an end as well as a beginning, signifying renewal as well as change." - An Excerpt from Senator Kennedy's Speech.

civil_rights_march_cut.jpg


Civil Rights Activists marching in Washington, D.C. shortly before the act was passed.
 
The thing with LBJ being assassinated is sad. He was a great worker for civil rights, and I respect him for that. At least his death inspired the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
 
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