What if...Roosevelt died in 1928?

Diagnosed with polio in 1928, it is possible that Roosevelt could have been rendered entirely catatonic by the disease, and perhaps even died. Let us suppose that without Roosevelt, Hoover wins a third term. Disgruntled Americans, sick of poor mis-managment at the hands of the government, elect upstart communist party members to congress, and when the next election comes, a communist president. Where we go from here is entirely up to speculation, but that's what the site is for, right? What effect would a communist America have on the second World War? What relations would we have with the Soviet Union? What kind of leaders would we elect? What would the constitution become in the years to come?
 

Typo

Banned
FDR wasn't integral for USA to stay non-Communist. Of course, you might get president Huey Long
 
Diagnosed with polio in 1928, it is possible that Roosevelt could have been rendered entirely catatonic by the disease, and perhaps even died. Let us suppose that without Roosevelt, Hoover wins a third term. Disgruntled Americans, sick of poor mis-managment at the hands of the government, elect upstart communist party members to congress, and when the next election comes, a communist president. Where we go from here is entirely up to speculation, but that's what the site is for, right? What effect would a communist America have on the second World War? What relations would we have with the Soviet Union? What kind of leaders would we elect? What would the constitution become in the years to come?

Hoover wins a third term? His winning a 2nd is quite ASBish; about as ASBish as the Communist Party rising to prominence and winning the presidency in 1932 or '36. William Foster received only 102,785 votes in OTL 1932. Now perhaps if things go from extremely bad to much, much worse in the mid-30's the Socialist Party might gain enough power to really turn this country to the left. We might even get a President Norman Thomas or Verne Reynolds
 
Huey Long is a defiinite possiblity and one I am fond of. I doubt Long would be able to do anything since his whole plan for recovery depended on charitable giving and donation societies.
 

maverick

Banned
There's always Al Smith or Newton D. Baker.

And of course, a random dark horse.

Perhaps even Cordell Hull?
 
Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States: Bozo!

Hoover wins a third term? His winning a 2nd is quite ASBish; about as ASBish as the Communist Party rising to prominence and winning the presidency in 1932 or '36. William Foster received only 102,785 votes in OTL 1932. Now perhaps if things go from extremely bad to much, much worse in the mid-30's the Socialist Party might gain enough power to really turn this country to the left. We might even get a President Norman Thomas or Verne Reynolds
Lord Grattan

I'm am sooooo with you, man. You might as well "speculate" his winning 1940-1964 (the year he died). Even the Alien Space Bats would wave their wings in disgust. Bozo the Clown would win as a Democrat in 1932 (He actually DID make several runs at the job. No, really!:p). This is a good thread, but it really belongs in ASB. Also, the two party system is entrenched at this point. Third parties are just spoilers. Though it is good you mentioned the Socialists, Lord Grattan. They could, ITTL, build up quite a bit of power in the local and state levels. My Dad's home town (City, actually) of Bridgeport, Connecticut had a Socialist mayor for many years, McLevy. From the start of the Great Depression to the present day, he was the only competent AND honest mayor that poor city would ever have. That's why today a once thriving city is now a wasteland.:(
 
Mav: would Smith be as effective as FDR in getting the economy under control? I doubt it. Especially after he took a sharp turn to the right after '32 IOTL. Newton Baker has zero charisma, and had never held national elected office, in addition to being in relatively poor health.
 
Even with Roosevelt out of the picture (which is a stretch in 1928--he'd pretty much recovered as much as he would over the course of his life by then), Hoover will not, I repeat, not win a second term barring ASB interventionism. Anyone with a (D) beside their name was going to win from the start in 1932.
 
President Willkie

Even with Roosevelt out of the picture (which is a stretch in 1928--he'd pretty much recovered as much as he would over the course of his life by then), Hoover will not, I repeat, not win a second term barring ASB interventionism. Anyone with a (D) beside their name was going to win from the start in 1932.
Like I said. Humor aside, a Dem will be elected and re-elected. In fact, barring health issues, re-elected again. Sound silly? Ask RogueBeaver. The Republican National Convention was held in June of 1940. ALL the serious candidates were MAJOR isolationists. But as the convention rolled on, France fell, scaring the bejesus out of just about everyone except the ultra-right.

The GOP knew they couldn't face the country with an isolationist candidate, so they reached deep into the bowels of the party to find the highest ranking interventionist Republican, Wendell Willkie. He was an unknown, but he was all they had. IF the Democratic President does NOT seek a third term, then anything could happen. Ideas on 1940 people?:confused:
 
Dewey was an internationalist as proven in '44 and '48 IOTL, who had to mouth the mantras of isolationism, just like McCain currently has to mouth the mantras of Palinism.

Willkie was a Democrat until 1939, formerly an FDR supporter and a very liberal Republican. We all know of FDR's plans to negotiate with Willike a formal merger of the moderate GOP with the liberal-moderate Dems, and leave the ultras of both parties together. That was part of FDR's plan to mount a frontal assault on segregation (partially accomplished through the GI Bill of Rights) without fear of the ECV consequences. Of course, that would occur three decades later under the Fifth Party System. ;)

The GOP base was as enthusiastic about Willkie in 1940 as the Dem base was enthusiastic about Joe Lieberman circa 2006.

Also: Dewey is IMO too young to be elected President, being only 38.
 
Top