WI: Lincoln or who's ever in his place actually has dictatorial ambitions

[the Imperium of Canada]

So President Lincoln is known to have taken some temporary authoritarian measures like suspending habeas corpus during the American Civil War but despite what some neo-confederates might say, he obviously never had any dictatorial ambitions and he wasn't a tyrant in the making.

So suppose Lincoln or who's ever in his place during the Civil War actually does have dictatorial ambitions. Do they have any chance of successfully making themselves dictator?

 

[Slime_blob]

So President Lincoln is known to have taken some temporary authoritarian measures like suspending habeas corpus during the American Civil War but despite what some neo-confederates might say, he obviously never had any dictatorial ambitions and he wasn't a tyrant in the making.

So suppose Lincoln or who's ever in his place during the Civil War actually does have dictatorial ambitions. Do they have any chance of successfully making themselves dictator?

Yes, have lincoln get his wife killed in the theatre instead of him, and a few assasination attempts to his cabinet and generals and ohter stuff, the confederacy gone guerilla warfare during the last stages of the war and pro peace generals launching failed coups . This would give him a good reason to slowly become more and more authoritarian without people noticing. I might see Lincoln having a secret police a paramilitary force, for "national safety" like the Volunteers of the National Safety in Haiti, that is created after papa doc almost got deposed after a coup

 

[Admiral Spaun]

They get impeached by Congress for violating the Constitution. Trying to institute a dictatorship during the Civil War isn't going to fly with politicians or voters.

 

[Maeglin]

They get impeached by Congress for violating the Constitution. Trying to institute a dictatorship during the Civil War isn't going to fly with politicians or voters.

Congress at this point is choc-full of Northerners keen to make the South pay. If Lincoln frames his measures as necessary to save the republic, they will be on board.

The Supreme Court was getting ignored by this point.

 

[Fernan3451]

They get impeached by Congress for violating the Constitution.

Why exactly? Wouldn't they just go along with his authoritarian policies, just like the Habeas corpus suspension?

 

[Basileus_Komnenos]

The Supreme Court was getting ignored by this point.

Andrew Jackson pretty much set this precedent with how he basically ignored the Supreme Court ruling the Indian Removal Act as Unconstitutional.

Congress at this point is choc-full of Northerners keen to make the South pay. If Lincoln frames his measures as necessary to save the republic, they will be on board.

Though the issue is what would happen to the reintegration of the South. Would these more punitive policies make the South more resistant towards reintegration than in otl?

Trying to institute a dictatorship during the Civil War isn't going to fly with politicians or voters.

I don't see it as being overnight but a gradual series of changes over time sort of like what happened with the Roman Republic.

 

[Admiral Spaun]

his authoritarian policies, just like the Habeas corpus suspension?

Congress went along with his policies because A. they aligned with Congress' own policy goals and B. they didn't infringe on Congress' authority. Congress isn't going to give up their power just because Lincoln says so.

 

[Fernan3451]

Congress went along with his policies because A. they aligned with Congress' own policy goals and B. they didn't infringe on Congress' authority. Congress isn't going to give up their power just because Lincoln says so.

I mean.

As long as the policies of Lincoln help in the war effort of the United States, as Maeglin said, the Congress may simply go along with Lincoln's gradual dictatorial powers.

 

[funnyhat]

He would not be able to maintain it after the war was over. He was not popular enough to keep extra-constitutional powers indefinitely. Now George Washington otoh...

 

[m0585]

There was a TL several years ago that kind of addressed this. Lincoln was assassinated, and a junta formed with Stanton as the main power. Really wish I could remember the name of that TL.

 

[Admiral Spaun]

I mean.

As long as the policies of Lincoln help in the war effort of the United States, as Maeglin said, the Congress may simply go along with Lincoln's gradual dictatorial powers.

This isn't the 20th century. The legislative branch during and after the Civil War was at its peak influence and power over American politics.

 

[The Tai-Pan]

You'd have to make pretty sizable changes to American culture and governmental procedure.

 

[wcv215]

Why exactly? Wouldn't they just go along with his authoritarian policies, just like the Habeas corpus suspension?

Suspension of Habeus Corpus during an insurrection is not unconstitutional.

 

[Major Major]

There was a TL several years ago that kind of addressed this. Lincoln was assassinated, and a junta formed with Stanton as the main power. Really wish I could remember the name of that TL.

Could it have been this?

Amazon.com

 

[m0585]

Could it have been this?

Amazon.com

Quite possibly. I'll need to read it to find out. Appreciate it!

 

[NedStark]

The soldiers, the people, and many/most congressmen would throw him out. America is a country with strong democratic tradition - and if during the war then we are talking about a Southern-less US - which means people would not accept a coup.