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So, with a new year coming up, I was thinking of once again writing a TL that will never be completed :eek:. I have several Civil War time period ideas, and was wondering, mainly in terms of originality and interest, which people would prefer. Especially since there are several excellent Civil War TLs happening right now, I'd like to be sure I go in at least a broadly different direction. With no further ado,


  1. Douglas Victory or No Emancipation option-this could have a variety of PODs, either right before the 1860 election, or during say, Bull Run or Peninsular Campaign. Unsurprisingly, main consequence would be slavery retained in the southern states (if banned in the territories)
  2. Failed Northern Secession option-Essentially, the fusion ticket wins NY in 1860, Bell wins in the House, and 3 years later Lemmon v. New York reaches the Supreme Court. Upper north secedes, eventually loses, and is reunited with U.S.
  3. Successful Confederacy option- Either a Union victory at Wilson's Creek (with Lyon then making a hash of things in the East) or Lee achieving a Cannae in lead up to 2nd Bull Run, or Union victory at 1st Bull Run (Lee v. McDowell not pretty). With consequences being probably a Confederacy that radicalizes, becomes a basket case, or both.
  4. Post-Racial South option- Cleburne's division goes east w/ Longstreet before Chattanooga. He presents his proposal to AONV and Lee and gets a friendlier response. With Lee's support, one or two Confederate states raise black regiments by the end of 1864, which acquit themselves in battle. The south still loses (obviously) but with a legacy of the Confederacy accepting emancipation, Reconstruction is much more successful.
Suggestions would be appreciated!
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