WI John Bigler lost the 1851 California election?

John Bigler arranged a heavy tax on foreign miners, aimed at forcing Chinese to leave, & hoped for a total ban on Chinese immigration. (He never got it.)

The 1851 election was 50.48% Bigler versus 49.51% for Whig Pierson Reading, a margin of
23,175 votes to 22,732, said to be closer than any in U.S. history.

So what happens if Bigler loses?

(You can thank the people at "American Experience" for the idea.:openedeyewink: )
 
Some ideas, no idea how realistic any of these are:
1) the California state capital might stay at San José, rather than eventually move to Sacramento.
2) You mentioned this, but: maybe the Chinese get a better deal? I don't know if Reading felt any better them than Bigler did.
3) Maybe industrialisation is a little slower in CA without Bigler's encouragement?
 
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Some ideas, no idea how realistic any of these are?
1) the California state capital might stay at San José, rather than eventually move to Sacramento.
That intrigues me. I also wonder if California's borders would be the same, & if there would be any chance of a West Virginia-style break between northern & southern California.
2) You mentioned this, but: maybe the Chinese get a better deal? I don't know if Reading felt any better them than Bigler did.
Me, either. It can't be as bad, can it?
3) Maybe industrialisation is a little slower in CA without Bigler's encouragement?
Maybe a bit. Given local conditions, I don't think the difference would be huge.
 
Could Reading, who "articulated himself as an educated pioneering gentleman of the South", instill greater pro-south/pro-slavery ideals in California? Thus creating more pro-secession groups during the Civil War that effects some events during the war itself?
 
Could Reading, who "articulated himself as an educated pioneering gentleman of the South", instill greater pro-south/pro-slavery ideals in California? Thus creating more pro-secession groups during the Civil War that effects some events during the war itself?
Conceivable. Enough for it to produce a North/South California split, akin West Virginia?
 
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