WI: The United States was a dictatorship

Marc

Donor
What if the united states was a dictatorship that had a high approval rating amongst the US population?

When? While a historical framework can be constructed for any country becoming a dictatorship, it does depend on a great deal of factors, what era being perhaps the very first criteria.
As for popular, well contemporary versions of "bread and circuses" could work for a while, or worse techniques.
Actually, it doesn't need a whole lot to get high approval ratings, just a sufficient degree of stability. I can attest to that, having been around some modern examples. "Law and Order" is more than cliched refrain.
 
When? While a historical framework can be constructed for any country becoming a dictatorship, it does depend on a great deal of factors, what era being perhaps the very first criteria.
As for popular, well contemporary versions of "bread and circuses" could work for a while, or worse techniques.
Actually, it doesn't need a whole lot to get high approval ratings, just a sufficient degree of stability. I can attest to that, having been around some modern examples. "Law and Order" is more than cliched refrain.
Some might think the 1960's or even now might be grounds for such. However the democratic superstructure of the country is I believe too robust to fall to tyranny. Remember millions thought Obama a tyrant now liberals think the same of #45. Neither was or is true,....it's just politics. An American fascist or communist style tyranny would take a pod at the turn of the 20th century,...perhaps earlier, to even begin to happen.
 
The 1930s were a breeding ground for radicalism and autocratic ideologies. Mishandling the response to the Great Depression and spurning class/racial divides is a sure fire way to get the military involved, provided the institutions are weakened enough.

The thing is, the institutions are fairly strong. Eventually the economy will get back on track, and a whole lot of people are going to demand electing their representatives rather than keep saluting a commanding officer.
 
What if the Dictatorship isn't actually one ? What if the dictator didn't have to be a guy sending tanks to Washington and burning the Constitution ?

You see, I actually managed to create a de facto dictatorship in America in my TL:

The crimes of Stephenson were never discovered, so the Klan rise of the 1920s continue into the 30s.

Calvin Coolidge runs for a 2nd term, he would of course win thanks for the great economy, nothing would go wrong except when the Depression hits. Coolidge's lack of intervention further brings disaster to the economy, and Quentin Roosevelt (TTL's FDR) proposes a "Fair Deal" (The New Deal), he wins the election with Garner as VPOTUS, but he is killed by a Italo-American Proudhonist (Anarchist) and Garner becomes POTUS. (Also remember that the Prohibition never ended)

Then as Garner goes Hoover with some half-hearted attempts that further drag the economy downhill, Huey Long becomes the main leader of the American left, making Quentin a Martyr and promising to fulfill his dream. Adding his populism, charisma, and powerful allies (like Coughlin), he manages to defeat Garner in the Democratic nomination and Alf Landon in the 1936 elections.

Long soon finds congress to be uncooperative, he bypasses with executive orders, the SCOTUS blocks him, he accuses them of letting America suffer and starve, he attempts to pack the court, and then a Business Plot conspiracy led by George van Horn Moseley, D. C. Stephenson, and Charles Lindenbergh attempts a coup to oust him.

Klansmen take the White House while Lindenbergh (who is Speaker of the House TTL) uses the Army and Klan intimidation to push an impeachment attempt. But due to an spy, Long manages to escape before that, calling Loyalists under General Patton and the American people to resist the coup by radio, after a battle, Washington is retaken and the conspirators defeated.

Long then blackmails J. Edgar Hoover (due to his homosexuality) and uses the FBI to arrest several opponents and break down his enemies, censoring Press, packing the Court and even arresting SCOTUS members due to possible involvement in the conspiracy. He releases Stephenson's crimes to the world, causing general outrage against the Klan and causing its decline. Long starts implementing the policies of the Fair Deal witch result in a sharp improvement of the economy by the 1938 midterms.

Long created his own paramilitary militia of loyalists, growing paranoid of the army, he purged several rebellious generals, he also leaves the Democratic Party and declared himself "Independent" (while using congress puppets to create his own "America First Party" to exert his influence). Using his charisma, bribes, the economical improvements, blackmail, intimidation etc, the America First scores a massive landslide all over the nation in 1938, cementing Long's control using the FBI, a puppet congress, puppet Supreme Court, and puppet governors, Huey Long now was the de facto Master of America. Or as one may call it: "Longmerica."
 
Consider the intense level of government control c.1944, to win WW2. Had that level of control continued, coupled with an OTL shift to a consumer economy, a command-government might have emerged with public approval. (After all, when Orwell wrote 1984, he painted a society in which social and economic democracy did not return after WW2.) But in the US, the government couldn't hold public approval over Vietnam and the draft in the late sixties, so such a society might be far-fetched. It has been said that the USSR had to open up in the late eighties because to control speech and expression (as it had to keep control) would have cost them the ability to keep up with technology.
 
IMO, American is too ornery and constitutional for a genuine dictatorship. At the same time, America might be complacent and constitutional enough for a quasi-dictatorship. Like if the Democrats and Republicans merged at some point and used their combined political machines to game the system at the expense of third (or I guess second) parties.
 
IMO, American is too ornery and constitutional for a genuine dictatorship. At the same time, America might be complacent and constitutional enough for a quasi-dictatorship. Like if the Democrats and Republicans merged at some point and used their combined political machines to game the system at the expense of third (or I guess second) parties.
POD 1945 might be the only possibility, but a President Truman would not stand for it. Maybe a feeble FDR living a couple of more years, followed by a figurehead VP?
 
It would be like the Soviet Union: Freedom as a four letter buzz word that means nothing of what the word truly means, and is only a label. And the grand lies that a police state is democracy, and that you have liberty while tanks surpress your expression of true liberty. And you do not dare say otherwise, because you are then attacked as anti-democratic and anti-American by the peanut gallery. And the population is beaten into submission to support the lie. It's a tightly wound knot of social taboo and stigma and ostracization together with legal / political / physical force. The civilian population of its own accord will bully you, and the police and State will bully you. Any dystopian fiction of the United States is a decent example.
 
And what if the President were a duck? How do we get there? The Constitution is almost dictator-proof, so it would have to be amended or abolished, and both of those are tough sells.
 
This is gonna turn current politics real fast

On a serious note, you'd need a pretty serious POD for this to happen. An idea I had was this:

George S. Patton's driver looks up in time, swerving out of the way of an oncoming military truck in December of 1945. Patton stays in command of Seventh Army and Governor of the American occupation zones of Germany. Patton controversially receives his fifth star in 1946. Similarly to OTL, the relations between the Soviets and Americans begin to deteriorate shortly after the war. Under Patton's governorship of American-occupied Germany, this only gets worse. In 1948, Patton was reported to refer to Marshal Sokolovsky as a "red son of a bitch" during a meeting with British military brass. Word of this reached Moscow and the Soviet government denounced General Patton.

The Berlin Airlift takes place following the blockade of Berlin, starting in June of 1948. Both the Americans and the Soviets despise each other at this point. In August of 1948, the Soviets begin shooting down American aircraft. General Patton orders tanks to move along the border of Soviet-occupied Germany. The Soviets take this as provocation and on August 11, 1948, combat breaks out. President Truman dismisses General Patton shortly after Soviet and American soldiers engage each other, but it was too late. War with the Soviet Union had already started.

British and French units were called to move east to help stop the Soviet's advance into Western Europe. The war was a stalemate until New Years, when the Soviet Union pushed American forces out of Wolfsburg in January 1949. After a defeat at Wolfsburg, the Western Allies began to recruit German forces to fight off the Red Army. The situation for the Allies continued to deteriorate as they were pushed across the Elbe and Hamburg was besieged in June. Following the fall of Hamburg, the Allies continued to lose their hold on Germany and the Jutland Peninsula was occupied by the Red Army. By the winter of 1949, the Soviet Union has pushed the Western Allies across the Rhine. The Americans, with the aid of British, French, and Italian forces, launch an offensive code-named Operation Surge. The goal of Operation Surge would be to launch several attacks on Soviet positions in Bremen, Cologne, Essen, Bonn, and Frankfurt, with heavy air and naval support. Operation Surge was an initial success, with the Western Allies crossing back into the Rhine and the U.S. Marines successfully taking Bremen. However, disaster struck in March of 1950. On March 8, 1950, the Soviet Union dropped their first two atomic bombs on the cities of Bremen and Antwerp. The next day, the United States dropped three atomic bombs on Leningrad, Minsk, and Warsaw. The news of the Soviet's atomic capabilities led to a serious drop in morale with the Western Allies as the war grew increasingly unpopular and more destructive. As the Western Allies concentrated their forces in France and Italy, the Soviets dropped another bomb onto Paris, while another atomic bomb was detonated five miles off the coast of Ostend (the bomber was shot down and presumed to be targeting London). The Spring of 1950 saw to the destruction of more cities, namely London, Brighton, Lyon, Genoa, Kiev, Lublin, and Kaliningrad (Konigsberg). The war would end in early 1951, with the Iron Curtain stretching as far east as France.

The harsh defeat and the brutal nature of the war shook the American public's view on politics. The fear of communism grew stronger and became wrapped in anger and revenge. President Truman would forgo a third term and he was succeeded by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy entered office with majorities in the House and Senate and pledged to combat communism "in every corner of our Earth." The Congress passed the "Anti-American Sedition Act," which granted looser powers to target citizens suspected of working with or supporting the Soviet Union. Many criticized this new law as unconstitutional, but the rampant fear of communism made most of the public look the other way. McCarthy's administration also passed the "Presidential Enforcement Act," which expanded the powers of the Presidency, namely with the usage of executive orders. The Presidency soon became a de facto supreme office, with Congress and the Supreme Court serving as mere subordinates. By the end of the 50s, American democracy and freedom was virtually dead, and the world pitted between two autocratic superpowers.
 
This is gonna turn current politics real fast

On a serious note, you'd need a pretty serious POD for this to happen. An idea I had was this:

George S. Patton's driver looks up in time, swerving out of the way of an oncoming military truck in December of 1945. Patton stays in command of Seventh Army and Governor of the American occupation zones of Germany. Patton controversially receives his fifth star in 1946. Similarly to OTL, the relations between the Soviets and Americans begin to deteriorate shortly after the war. Under Patton's governorship of American-occupied Germany, this only gets worse. In 1948, Patton was reported to refer to Marshal Sokolovsky as a "red son of a bitch" during a meeting with British military brass. Word of this reached Moscow and the Soviet government denounced General Patton.

The Berlin Airlift takes place following the blockade of Berlin, starting in June of 1948. Both the Americans and the Soviets despise each other at this point. In August of 1948, the Soviets begin shooting down American aircraft. General Patton orders tanks to move along the border of Soviet-occupied Germany. The Soviets take this as provocation and on August 11, 1948, combat breaks out. President Truman dismisses General Patton shortly after Soviet and American soldiers engage each other, but it was too late. War with the Soviet Union had already started.

British and French units were called to move east to help stop the Soviet's advance into Western Europe. The war was a stalemate until New Years, when the Soviet Union pushed American forces out of Wolfsburg in January 1949. After a defeat at Wolfsburg, the Western Allies began to recruit German forces to fight off the Red Army. The situation for the Allies continued to deteriorate as they were pushed across the Elbe and Hamburg was besieged in June. Following the fall of Hamburg, the Allies continued to lose their hold on Germany and the Jutland Peninsula was occupied by the Red Army. By the winter of 1949, the Soviet Union has pushed the Western Allies across the Rhine. The Americans, with the aid of British, French, and Italian forces, launch an offensive code-named Operation Surge. The goal of Operation Surge would be to launch several attacks on Soviet positions in Bremen, Cologne, Essen, Bonn, and Frankfurt, with heavy air and naval support. Operation Surge was an initial success, with the Western Allies crossing back into the Rhine and the U.S. Marines successfully taking Bremen. However, disaster struck in March of 1950. On March 8, 1950, the Soviet Union dropped their first two atomic bombs on the cities of Bremen and Antwerp. The next day, the United States dropped three atomic bombs on Leningrad, Minsk, and Warsaw. The news of the Soviet's atomic capabilities led to a serious drop in morale with the Western Allies as the war grew increasingly unpopular and more destructive. As the Western Allies concentrated their forces in France and Italy, the Soviets dropped another bomb onto Paris, while another atomic bomb was detonated five miles off the coast of Ostend (the bomber was shot down and presumed to be targeting London). The Spring of 1950 saw to the destruction of more cities, namely London, Brighton, Lyon, Genoa, Kiev, Lublin, and Kaliningrad (Konigsberg). The war would end in early 1951, with the Iron Curtain stretching as far east as France.

The harsh defeat and the brutal nature of the war shook the American public's view on politics. The fear of communism grew stronger and became wrapped in anger and revenge. President Truman would forgo a third term and he was succeeded by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy entered office with majorities in the House and Senate and pledged to combat communism "in every corner of our Earth." The Congress passed the "Anti-American Sedition Act," which granted looser powers to target citizens suspected of working with or supporting the Soviet Union. Many criticized this new law as unconstitutional, but the rampant fear of communism made most of the public look the other way. McCarthy's administration also passed the "Presidential Enforcement Act," which expanded the powers of the Presidency, namely with the usage of executive orders. The Presidency soon became a de facto supreme office, with Congress and the Supreme Court serving as mere subordinates. By the end of the 50s, American democracy and freedom was virtually dead, and the world pitted between two autocratic superpowers.
very great
 
This is gonna turn current politics real fast

On a serious note, you'd need a pretty serious POD for this to happen. An idea I had was this:

George S. Patton's driver looks up in time, swerving out of the way of an oncoming military truck in December of 1945. Patton stays in command of Seventh Army and Governor of the American occupation zones of Germany. Patton controversially receives his fifth star in 1946. Similarly to OTL, the relations between the Soviets and Americans begin to deteriorate shortly after the war. Under Patton's governorship of American-occupied Germany, this only gets worse. In 1948, Patton was reported to refer to Marshal Sokolovsky as a "red son of a bitch" during a meeting with British military brass. Word of this reached Moscow and the Soviet government denounced General Patton.

The Berlin Airlift takes place following the blockade of Berlin, starting in June of 1948. Both the Americans and the Soviets despise each other at this point. In August of 1948, the Soviets begin shooting down American aircraft. General Patton orders tanks to move along the border of Soviet-occupied Germany. The Soviets take this as provocation and on August 11, 1948, combat breaks out. President Truman dismisses General Patton shortly after Soviet and American soldiers engage each other, but it was too late. War with the Soviet Union had already started.

British and French units were called to move east to help stop the Soviet's advance into Western Europe. The war was a stalemate until New Years, when the Soviet Union pushed American forces out of Wolfsburg in January 1949. After a defeat at Wolfsburg, the Western Allies began to recruit German forces to fight off the Red Army. The situation for the Allies continued to deteriorate as they were pushed across the Elbe and Hamburg was besieged in June. Following the fall of Hamburg, the Allies continued to lose their hold on Germany and the Jutland Peninsula was occupied by the Red Army. By the winter of 1949, the Soviet Union has pushed the Western Allies across the Rhine. The Americans, with the aid of British, French, and Italian forces, launch an offensive code-named Operation Surge. The goal of Operation Surge would be to launch several attacks on Soviet positions in Bremen, Cologne, Essen, Bonn, and Frankfurt, with heavy air and naval support. Operation Surge was an initial success, with the Western Allies crossing back into the Rhine and the U.S. Marines successfully taking Bremen. However, disaster struck in March of 1950. On March 8, 1950, the Soviet Union dropped their first two atomic bombs on the cities of Bremen and Antwerp. The next day, the United States dropped three atomic bombs on Leningrad, Minsk, and Warsaw. The news of the Soviet's atomic capabilities led to a serious drop in morale with the Western Allies as the war grew increasingly unpopular and more destructive. As the Western Allies concentrated their forces in France and Italy, the Soviets dropped another bomb onto Paris, while another atomic bomb was detonated five miles off the coast of Ostend (the bomber was shot down and presumed to be targeting London). The Spring of 1950 saw to the destruction of more cities, namely London, Brighton, Lyon, Genoa, Kiev, Lublin, and Kaliningrad (Konigsberg). The war would end in early 1951, with the Iron Curtain stretching as far east as France.

The harsh defeat and the brutal nature of the war shook the American public's view on politics. The fear of communism grew stronger and became wrapped in anger and revenge. President Truman would forgo a third term and he was succeeded by Republican Senator Joseph McCarthy. McCarthy entered office with majorities in the House and Senate and pledged to combat communism "in every corner of our Earth." The Congress passed the "Anti-American Sedition Act," which granted looser powers to target citizens suspected of working with or supporting the Soviet Union. Many criticized this new law as unconstitutional, but the rampant fear of communism made most of the public look the other way. McCarthy's administration also passed the "Presidential Enforcement Act," which expanded the powers of the Presidency, namely with the usage of executive orders. The Presidency soon became a de facto supreme office, with Congress and the Supreme Court serving as mere subordinates. By the end of the 50s, American democracy and freedom was virtually dead, and the world pitted between two autocratic superpowers.
You can make a timeline out of this.
 
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