WI/AHC: More Successful Readjuster Party

The Readjusters were a faction in Virginian politics in the 1870s that controlled the state government until 1883. Founded over the issue of readjusting the state's debt, the Party became a biracial populist coalition, with its policies including increased funding for public education and the abolition of the poll tax. However, in 1883, the Democrats - partially through appeals to white supremacy - managed to re-take control of the state government and essentially end the political existence of the Readjusters.

So, is there any way that the Readjusters could've survived and become a permanent force in Virginia politics? While the party itself might not have been sustainable, could its brand of biracial populism have lived on? For example, if it had merged with one of the major two parties - like the Minnesota Demoratic-Farmer-Labor Party, we could have the Virginia Republican-Readjuster Party. And, if this is plausible, what effects would it have? Obviously, this would keep Virginia out of the Solid South, but could there be wider consequences?
 
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So, is there any way that the Readjusters could've survived and become a permanent force in Virginia politics? While the party itself might not have been sustainable, could its brand of biracial populism have lived on?
This is what I love about our Alt History site! learning about something I've never heard of before but really happened.

As far as the question, side with the farmers and against the quasi-monopolies, starting with the grain elevators and the railroads. I think this is the equivalent of a Nolan Ryan fastball right down the middle! And seriously, I think it's both good policy and good politics.
 
They could presumably be something like the Populist-Republican coalition that ruled North Carolina. But to do that, you'd need to make them a lot more like the Populists, I think.
 
In what manner did they want to readjust the state debt?
They wanted to reduce the principle of the debt and the rate of interest, as they thought that the revenue spent on repaying Virginia's debt would be better spent on social programs like public schools.

It would make for an interesting TL if they somehow managed to form a national, or at least regional, presence focusing on economic populism and civil rights. I could see them becoming quasi-socialists with their message of blacks and poor whites teaming up against the upper class.
 

CaliGuy

Banned
The Readjusters were a faction in Virginian politics in the 1870s that controlled the state government until 1883. Founded over the issue of readjusting the state's debt, the Party became a biracial populist coalition, with its policies including increased funding for public education and the abolition of the poll tax. However, in 1883, the Democrats - partially through appeals to white supremacy - managed to re-take control of the state government and essentially end the political existence of the Readjusters.

So, is there any way that the Readjusters could've survived and become a permanent force in Virginia politics? While the party itself might not have been sustainable, could its brand of biracial populism have lived on? For example, if it had merged with one of the major two parties - like the Minnesota Demoratic-Farmer-Labor Party, we could have the Virginia Republican-Readjuster Party. And, if this is plausible, what effects would it have? Obviously, this would keep Virginia out of the Solid South, but could there be wider consequences?
Could a surviving U.S. President Garfield along with greater Republican support for the Readjusters help with this?
 
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