I know he was a very ill man at the end, and allegedly planed on stepping down after the war but what if by some miracle, Franklin Roosevelt lived past April 1945 and decides to finish his 4th term in office? How would FDR handle the early post WWII years? Assuming he steps down after a 4th term, who runs to succeed him on the Democratic side if Truman doesn't run? Who, unless Dewey runs in '48 like OTL, runs for the GOP? Who would win, and would their be a Cold War? If so, would it be any different than OTL?
WI: FDR lives past April 1945 and finsihes his 4th term?
- Thread starter dw93
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Would Ike run as a Democrat though? I know both parties approached him in '52, but I'd think FDR living would increase the GOPs chances in '48.
jahenders
Banned
I think that shortly after WWII the public would become weary of the "forever president." His high-handed ways might have been OK during the war, but would be more problematic afterwards. I think the "blush would soon be off the rose" and his support would plummet, especially as the Cold War set in and its parameters clearly laid at his feet. For example, people might, "Those East Germans are enslaved because FDR agreed they should be."
There will CERTAINLY be a cold war and it would likely be at least as bad, perhaps worse.
I suspect Truman will run, but it's not clear how he'll fare. Since people are so weary of multiple terms of FDR, I'd say a Republican is more likely -- the populace tends to like to return to "correct" when they feel things have swung too far one way or the other. Could be Dewey, could be Ike.
There will CERTAINLY be a cold war and it would likely be at least as bad, perhaps worse.
I suspect Truman will run, but it's not clear how he'll fare. Since people are so weary of multiple terms of FDR, I'd say a Republican is more likely -- the populace tends to like to return to "correct" when they feel things have swung too far one way or the other. Could be Dewey, could be Ike.
von kressenstein
Banned
Actually .. With fdr still alive maybe the Cold War doesn't get so cold? If Ike follows again maybe it doesn't get so cold .. Being right after the war and all.
Fdr was frail.. But wasn't a push over .. And he garnered respect
Gaius Julius Magnus
Gone Fishin'
His popularity will probably decrease throughout the remainder of his term as the country begins to demobilize and the problems that effected the Truman first term will now be FDR's problem.
He probably won't run for re-election in 1948 due to health reasons, which probably means a Republican in 1948 (Dewey or Taft are both possibilities). Truman likely wouldn't run as he'd have no support due the VP being still relegated to unimportant. Eisenhower could potentially be drafted by either party, though if Taft becomes the Republican nominee I could see him going for the Democratic nomination.
It's almost certain the Cold War will happen but how it will play out in the early years with a Roosevelt-Stalin relationship rather than a Truman-Stalin relationship I'm unsure of.
He probably won't run for re-election in 1948 due to health reasons, which probably means a Republican in 1948 (Dewey or Taft are both possibilities). Truman likely wouldn't run as he'd have no support due the VP being still relegated to unimportant. Eisenhower could potentially be drafted by either party, though if Taft becomes the Republican nominee I could see him going for the Democratic nomination.
It's almost certain the Cold War will happen but how it will play out in the early years with a Roosevelt-Stalin relationship rather than a Truman-Stalin relationship I'm unsure of.
Deleted member 1487
Given his anti-German attitude the JCS 1067 gets implemented more fully despite the obvious stupidity of it and it takes longer to get repealed with more suffering all around. Not sure what this means in the long term, but there will probably be more bitterness among Germans and probably a lot of discontent within the military about policy post-1946.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgenthau_Plan#JCS_1067
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Morgenthau_Plan#JCS_1067
Paul V McNutt
Banned
The best POD I can think of is having FDR quit smoking. I don't know if that would give him another four years. I think he would have prepared America for the Cold War like Truman did. There is a Roosevelt Doctrine in 1947 and a whomever is Secretary of State Plan that same year. He can't run again 1948. I don't think after four years as Vice President, Truman would have enough support to run.
Yes there was a book or story with the premise that he
Lived longer because he quit smoking years earlier.
Lived longer because he quit smoking years earlier.
B-29_Bomber
Banned
I doubt this very much.
FDR might have had a thing for Uncle Joe during the War, but as he starts seeing what Stalin is planning he'd probably adapt. Or not, it's not very clear cut.
And I say this as a person whose not a FDR fan.
Paul V McNutt
Banned
I think that Roosevelt's endorsement is the more important qualification for the 1948 Democratic nominee. Who does he pick?
I agree. I could see him pushing Truman if they develop a good enough working relationship. Otherwise, I don't know who he'd endorse.
Interesting Idea
There Are Two Things FDR would Do ?
-Order the drop of Atomic Bombs on imperial Japan
-Order the morgetau Plan Or simelar Plan on Germany
Last was Plan to Disarmed and Remove Heavy industry from Germany
To make sure that they Never Could Start a war again.
Then cut up the reich in several States
Another issue United Nation
It was FDR pet Project now he live longer, would U.N. Be more powerfull ?
And would deal with cold war ?
There Are Two Things FDR would Do ?
-Order the drop of Atomic Bombs on imperial Japan
-Order the morgetau Plan Or simelar Plan on Germany
Last was Plan to Disarmed and Remove Heavy industry from Germany
To make sure that they Never Could Start a war again.
Then cut up the reich in several States
Another issue United Nation
It was FDR pet Project now he live longer, would U.N. Be more powerfull ?
And would deal with cold war ?
Paul V McNutt
Banned
He does drop the atomic bomb on Japan. Like Truman he believes it will save lives. I think he does everything Truman did. Although I am not sure about integrating the military.
Would (could?) FDR retire on health grounds in say, 1946, giving Truman 2 years as president to prepare for the elections? E.g. after bad 1946 mid terms.