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WI: War of US Presidential Succession

Hold on to your socks it's about to get crazy in here. :D

For this scenario the POD is around or slightly before 1840. William Henry Harrison doesn't die and John Tyler never becomes President. Henry Clay wins the election in 1844. Texas remains independent. No Mexican-American War. Iowa (Free) and Florida (Slave) become States. The Democrats barely win in 1848 with Lewis Cass who has several public disasters such as endorsing filibusters in Cuba and Nicaragua, both fail. Wisconsin (Free) and "Oklahoma" (Slave) become States using popular sovereignty; State constitutional conventions are relatively bloodless. Effectively removes Missouri Compromise Line. Slave trade abolished in DC and Stronger Fugitive slave Act are passed. In 1852 Democrats are horribly regionally fractured. They are barely able to compromise on Dark Horse candidate Franklin Pierce in 1852 and again barely win the Election. However President-Elect Pierce (and the first family) dies in a train crash. Vice President William R. King is elevated to the Presidency. He takes the Oath of Office from Cuba and later dies of TB. King becomes the first Vice President to Succeed the President, First President to take the oath of office from a foreign country, First President to die in office and has the Shortest Term of any President.

President Pro Tempore David R Atchison ascends to the Presidency. In the special election that December John C Fremont is elected on a Whig Ticket. David R Atchison refuses to vacate the Presidency. Fremont didn’t even show up on the ballot in most southern states. The south was split between three democratic candidates in Early 1853 Fremont takes The White House (rightfully) by force. Atchison escapes to the South then to Missouri where he calls together his Government. Both Atchison and Fremont claim to be President. Both Claim the other to be in rebellion against the United States.

Is there enough controversy around this presidential succession to cause a Civil War? Could Atchison be this Insane? Where is the majority of the fighting? Who is Leading the Troops, And how long does the war last? or is it all complete ASB?
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