WI: A Different America (pre-1900 section)

CTHuskyMan

Banned
Taking another shot at an alternate timeline.

This timeline begins with an 1876 POD.

History tells us that Rutherford Hayes defeated Samuel Tilden in a disputed presidential election (in return for an end to Reconstruction, Democrats agreed to declare Hayes, a Republican, the victor). If the procedure outlined in the US Constitution had actually been followed (in the case that nobody gets a majority, the House elects the President, and the Senate the VP), it is probable that Tilden would've been elected, along with Hayes' running mate as Vice President. This timeline assumes that actually took place, and that Mr. Tilden is the incumbent president going into 1880.

1880 Presidential Election

Having been narrowly defeated in 1876, Republicans feel that a change in direction is needed. Meeting in Chicago, the assembled delegates choose Senator James G. Blaine of Maine to carry their party banner. Another senator, John Sherman of Ohio, is selected to be Blaine's running mate.

Just before the Democratic Convention, William Wheeler resigns as vice president. This leaves the Democrats, who meet in Cincinnati, with a tough choice as to who will join President Samuel Tilden on the party's 1880 ticket. After a short period of debate, the convention picks Governor Thomas Hendricks of Indiana to fill this role.

General Election Results (185 EVs needed to win):

genusmap.php


President Samuel Tilden (D-NY)/Governor Thomas Hendricks (D-IN): 209 EVs
Senator James G. Blaine (R-ME)/Senator John Sherman (R-OH): 160 EVs

Although the Republicans sweep the South, they lose the Far West. This, along with the Democrats' capturing of several key states in the Northeast and West, leads to a victory for the incumbent. As such, Samuel Tilden is elected to a second term as President of the United States.

Next up: 1884.
 

CTHuskyMan

Banned
Check that; I reversed the colors by mistake. Red should be Democrats, and blue Republicans. To wit:

President Samuel Tilden (D-NY)/Governor Thomas Hendricks (D-IN): 209 EVs
Senator James G. Blaine (R-ME)/Senator John Sherman (R-OH): 160 EVs


Democrats sweep the South, and take the Far West as well. The Republicans capture key states in the West, but this is not enough to offset their losses; the incumbent takes the day. As such, Samuel Tilden is elected to a second term as President of the United States.

(Damn color codes anyway, LOL)
 
Check that; I reversed the colors by mistake. (Damn color codes anyway, LOL)
So you have a colorblind country by 1880?:cool: ( :openedeyewink: )

Do you plan on examining what impact the different PotUSes have on the country?

Also, what was it Blaine did (or Tilden didn't) that gave him a win? Or pure "need for change" voting?
 
Top