Former U.S President Woodrow Wilson had been very unhealthy in 1919,even having a stroke that led to him being incapacitated,but,what if the stroke killed him? Obviously Vice-President Thomas Marshall would assume the office,what would the Peace Progress after WW1 go without Wilson? What would Marshall do as POTUS? Would he run for re-election in 1920? What would his cabinet look like? Would Marshall be able to save the Democratic Party?
WI:Wilson Dies in 1919.
- Thread starter Gorrister
- Start date
I have no idea about anything else, but I expect the US Senate to ratify the Treaty of Versailles and join the League of Nations. Whether Marshall is able to rally enough support to ratify the treaty with or without reservations, however, is a question that I am not sure about.
Well it was Wilson's failing health that prevented him from campaigning to get the Treaty Ratified,Marshall would probably be much healthier and be able to garner support better than Wilson did.
Thomas Marshall is sworn in as President and serves out the remaining days of Wilson's second (and last) term in office. Whether he gets enough support to get America into the League is a coin toss, as is any bid for the nomination in 1920. Regardless of who runs, I think the public's desire for a change from the wartime leadership will see a Republican victory.
Marshall probably wouldn't be so inflexible regarding the Treaty, and Congress wouldn't want to look like it was spitting on Wilson's corpse. Most likely a watered down Treaty is passed and a 50/50 shot on whether Marshall can win. I say 50/50 as I can't remember when exactly Wilson became so unpopular, and the nature of the post-WWI economy.
From A. Scott Berg's new biography of Wilson, VP Marshall sounds far more like someone who'd be a caretaker for the ending months of the administration rather than vigorous campaigner for what was mostly Wilson's vision/delusions. Leaving the cabinet in place, relying considerably on Col. Edwin House (who would likely drive what was done by the remaining admin.), handling Wilson's funeral and memorial, etc. would probably be about it. That'd give a much greater vacuum for Wilson's opponents like LaFollette to derail the League of Nations much earlier and faster. I assume your point of departure is after Wilson had come home from mucking about in the Treaty of Versailles so it doesn't seem likely much might change there with the U.S. fairly peripheral to the treaty except in Wilson's mind.
I've actually thought about doing my first TL based on this (slightly earlier PoD, but Wilson would die from his stroke ITTL).
I definitely agree with you on the treaty (maybe make it so that Congress still has the final say on declarations of war). I'm not convinced that Marshall would even run for a full term. Even if he did, I'm not sure that he would have that great of a chance.
I definitely agree with you on the treaty (maybe make it so that Congress still has the final say on declarations of war). I'm not convinced that Marshall would even run for a full term. Even if he did, I'm not sure that he would have that great of a chance.
Marshall tried to win the 1920 nomination OTL, but he didn't do a very good job. As incumbent, he might be able to do better at winning the nomination. He'd probably still lose to whoever the Republicans nominated unless they had another split.
Any chance Mrs. Wilson continues her charade of convincing people he's not as bad off as he really is and makes an effort to convince people he's still alive along the lines of "Weekend at Bernies" meets "Dave"? 
(And before anyone calls me out, I'm kidding)
(And before anyone calls me out, I'm kidding
)
Any chance Mrs. Wilson continues her charade of convincing people he's not as bad off as he really is and makes an effort to convince people he's still alive along the lines of "Weekend at Bernies" meets "Dave"?
(And before anyone calls me out, I'm kidding
Ya know if that was written with just the right tone it could make for a really darkly comedic TL.
I'd read it