WI: Federal Government acts to stop Secession in 1860?

Ak-84

Banned
In OTL, the Feds insisted that there was no right of secession but did precious little to stop it; until after the war started. Now lets say we give in ATL, President Buchannan some gumption and he decides to act.

1) He could send federal troops to S Carolina, Andrew Jackson did it in 1830's nullification crisis, first before the election of 1860 itself, when the S Carolina governor had made his states desire to seceede if Lincoln won clear. Perhaps initially by strenghtning the garrison at Fort Moultrie and also ordering Fort Sumter completed and manned without delay and later more troops arrive as soon as Lincolns election is announced (the dely would be neccessary anyway in order to move them from the west where the majority of the army was).

2) Although protests would be many, he could answer (as the Brits did in N Ireland) that this is the "American Army operating on American territory".

Now with a state with thousand of federal troops and more arriving would any secession convention be tolerated or even be possible? How would other states react, in OTL they waited several weeks before the they followed S Carolina's lead. Would the American civil war be butterflied away?

How would it alter US history.
 

Ak-84

Banned
I was reading "Gods and Generals" by Jeff Shaara, and it has Lee wishing that the government dose somthing, "a good swift kick will end this business" he says. Now I am loath to trust historical novels, but apparently he did say that. Whould it have had any effect?
 
There are a couple of things spring to mind

-1- I guess not relevant once you get going, but what is Buchanan's motivation to do something he did not in OTL ?

-2- The election could be even MORE fractious than OTL with this tinder box ready to light up

Of course, one result could be that the Republicans LOSE the election

What happens if Lincoln loses, or perhaps I mean who does he lose TO ?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:1860_Electoral_Map.png

Do you get a coalition of Northern and Southern Democrats running the country ?

Best Regards
Grey Wolf
 
instead of occupying the south to prevent secession, the feds might have tried something more subtle; make sure everyone can vote on secession. In nearly all the southern states, the margin in favor of secession was tiny, and those in favor did all in their power to keep those against away from the polls. If everyone was able to vote without fear, secession would likely have been defeated in several states... thus, the 'CSA' would be disjointed and much smaller, and likely wouldn't even bother staying out of the union for long. The exception was Texas, which really seemed to be massively in support of secession... the future civil war might be restricted to just that state...
 
?What kind of Orders would these troops be given?.
Arrest the Govenor? physically prevent the State legislature from Meeting? have troops in the Visitors Galley and immediately arrest any succession Voters?

I see a TL where the Supremes have to address the Succession issue in 1861, Unlike OTL where they waited till 1865 and declared all the succession lawsuits MOOT.
 
I would suggest the strengthening of the Deep South along with Sumter. The formation of the Confederacy was after all in Alabama.
 

Jasen777

Donor
Buchannan seemed like he wanted nothing to do with it.

Dave Howery said:
The exception was Texas, which really seemed to be massively in support of secession...

That's true but I can't see Texas being the first state to jump.
 

Ak-84

Banned
?What kind of Orders would these troops be given?.
Arrest the Govenor? physically prevent the State legislature from Meeting? have troops in the Visitors Galley and immediately arrest any succession Voters?

I see a TL where the Supremes have to address the Succession issue in 1861, Unlike OTL where they waited till 1865 and declared all the succession lawsuits MOOT.
Bit like 1830's nullification crisis, when troops were dispathed to Charleston. I would say it would be something like you say.
 
Top