WI: James K. Polk Runs for a Second Term

Who knows, I would put it on Young Hickory more than anyone to be able to wheel and deal the Spanish into selling Cuba. If we want to use the forces of alternate history we could have a slave rebellion that convinces the Spanish to pawn off Cuba thinking we foolish Americans just bought real estate in a tropical Hell.


And the period 1854-56 would be the ideal moment, since Britain and France, the only powers likely to interfere, were both tied up with the Crimean War.
 
And the period 1854-56 would be the ideal moment, since Britain and France, the only powers likely to interfere, were both tied up with the Crimean War.

Yeah, unless they really got pissed off at Spain they would support them against the Americans just for the sake of opposing the Americans. Navy-wise America's at a disadvantage in the 1850s since they aren't as strong and Spain isn't as faded as it would be by Span-Am War time, that said Spain's distance problems are going to bite it and it isn't like the Union navy is any slouch. This little foreign skirmish will be viewed as a political means of disarming North-South tension, a national operation (i.e. both North and South) that largely benefits the South is going to assuage tensions for a time, prevent the Civil War? Probably not, probably won't butterfly away ol' Abe's election either.
 
Remember, if you want Polk to be President in 1854-56, he will be on his fourth consecutive term.
 
Remember, if you want Polk to be President in 1854-56, he will be on his fourth consecutive term.

He served OTL 1845-1849. A second term would extend his presidency to 1853, so he would only be on his third term by 1854-56. In any case, Cuba would be an issue throughout his two terms, and perhaps butterflies would cause Spain to want to sell during his Presidency anyway. I agree that Lincoln will still rise to prominence; but maybe not until 1864 or so. I think the Civil War will be delayed at least a few years by Polk's second term. At the time of the POD (about 1848), Lincoln was an extremely prominent lawyer in Illinois who was well known to the political scene and was already planning an entrance into politics.

The Civil War would probably be delayed a little because of Polk's abilities. He was, after all, an excellent compromiser, and far more competent and intelligent than Fillmore. Taylor won't become President in this scenario; he was so disinterested in politics OTL.
 
Taylor might do something, his being apolitical still caused him to take office, and increased sectional issues I would say would prompt him to either go into politics or stay in the military.

Also, Ganesha, remember that what got Lincoln so outraged was Fillmore signing the Compromise of 1850, Polk may well have taken the Taylor position (threatening to veto it). Fillmore was well-intentioned and was certainly better than near-traitors like Buchanan but he just failed to understand the moral implications of slavery and the fact that the Compromise would put a lid on tensions in the short-run but make them even worse in the long-run.

No Fillmore probably means no Compromise, but Lincoln was just as annoyed by Polk's pro-slavery expansionism as well. An Ostend Manifesto sort of thing that lead to an actual annexation could provoke Lincoln into re-entering politics as well, just remember he had the "spot resolutions" with Polk as well.

Lincoln and the Republicans would still materialize as the fundamental reasons for their founding still exist.

No Compromise could mean same time Civil War or even an earlier one, events go as OTL, still a Fort Sumter stand off, if Polk is at the helm than he sends provisions like Lincoln did, if Abe runs the show than same asOTL as well.

Also, quick note, you are looking for uninterested, not disinterested, the latter means unbiased, as in if you were in court you would want a judge to be disinterested in the case.
 
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