America: Write Your Own History

Millard Fillmore stay focused

-moved-

1856-1860: Nation at War


John McLean, obtaining the presidency at a time of great division in the nation, made a very risky move by disappointing both parties by ending the war with Japan immediately. Him and his cabinet later declared that the war with Japan would only drain American forces at hand for capturing more important regions. McLean also got Japan to pay a small sum for their retreat from Japan.


The next couple of years dealt with the issue of slavery, in which McLean made great progress on, the industrialization of the United States, in which McLean stayed vigilant on, colonization, in which McLean funded annexation of Tahiti and New Guinea, and preparation of war with Great Britain.
McLean's ways of dealing with slavery was gradual. He promised compensation, and carefully listened to both sides of the story. The South complained that the federal government should have no right to make moral decisions that overwrite state decisions. The South said that northern industries were exploiting the south with low prices, forcing the south to hire slaves just to keep from going bankrupt.

Yet, federal decisions did not change things on a local level. In Kansas in May 19th, 1858, slavery and anti-slavery forces clashed in the Marais Massacre.


In 1859, the Congress of London happened. This was a pivotal moment in international relations. In the Congress, President McLean urged Britain to peacefully hand over Canada, but the offer was declined. Instead, France obtained Suriname from the Dutch while the Dutch obtained British-held South Africa. This was seen as a failure on McLean's part, as the Dutch were good friends with the United States.




The results of the Congress led to instability in the French Empire, which brought the collapse of most of France's holdings in Europe except Spain and Denmark. Germany was once again occupied by Prussian forces, and Poland, Italy, and Austria declared independence.

In 1859, pro-slavery forces fired upon Fort Sumner in South Carolina, a federal military base in which most abolition decisions were being made from in the South. McLean, interpreting this as South Carolina's state government declaring war against the federal government, ordered the navy to blockade South Carolina to cripple their cotton industry and make slavery unprofitable. This was seen from the South as a declaration of war on the States from the Federal Government, and states formed a defensive pact to defend its interests in South Carolina. This defensive pact would be soon called the Confederate States of America. Robert E. Lee, although opposed to slavery, led Virginia forces to march upon Unionist forces in defense of his homeland's safety during this Civil War.


As all this escalated, the Confederacy elected their own president to be commander-in-chief during the crisis, Jefferson Davis. Under his command, the states sought victory over the larger, better equipped Union armies, and sought diplomatic help from foreign nations.


President McLean, now worrying about both the dissolution of the Union and re-election, mustered Union forces to counter this as his party urged him to unite the nation under any means necessary. He recruited 75,000 three-month volunteers from New England to counter General Lee. President Jefferson Davis, in return, gathered 100,000 one-year volunteers. McLean then extended the restrictions on volunteer by allowing immigrants, mostly German and Irish, to join the Army.


Domestically, this conflict led to the obsoletion of slavery, as the southern economy for cotton and tobacco was virtually ruined by the blockade. This lead to a great slave migration from the South to the Union, who would form a substantial part of the Union army.


During this conflict, which within only a couple weeks escalated into a full Civil War, McLean continued to grapple command over forces overseas, and captured Madagascar.


Complications for the war with Great Britain happened when Britain signed a defensive pact with both the Dutch and the rapidly growing Ethiopian Governments. Britain knew that by making these alliances, the war in Africa would be difficult and the Dutch navy combined with the British navy would leave American ports destroyed. Nevertheless, McLean prepared for war by putting forces near Australia, South Africa, and Canada.

Election of 1860: A Nation That Cannot Stand

Republican Party
Platform: Abolition of slavery. Re-unite the nation through war. Promote colonization through the Homestead Act
John McLean, Age 75, President. Former Justice of the Supreme Court. Wants a swift victory over the South, and a fair Reconstruction. Wants to declare war on Britain, Netherlands, and Ethiopia, as he states he has prepared the nation for it.

William H. Seward, Age 59, New York Representative and Senator. Traveled Europe and the Middle East, and wants to build good relations with foreign nations to prevent foreign intervention. Wants to treat the South's secession as treason, and punish them. Would fully support any other Republican candidate, so long as they unite the nation. Against war with Britain, as it would destroy American relations with the world.

Simon Cameron, Age 61, Pennsylvania entrepreneur and senator. Wants to lower scientific rate and focus on industry and economy stimulus. Wants to re-enact Jackson-era Spoils system to give the Union more authority to win the Civil War. Wants to focus on warring Britain, Netherlands, and Ethiopia over resources, and thus states that Canada is a worthless cause to fight over.

Abraham Lincoln, Age 51, Illinois Representative. Articulate speaker. Wants to balance compromise, punishment, and compensation to the South and re-unite the nation. Wants to write into the constitution the abolishment of slavery. Supports war with Britain, Netherlands, and Ethiopia.

Salmon P. Chase, Age 52, Ohio Senator and Chief Justice. Authored the "slave power conspiracy", which stated the South had intention to seize the government to ensure slavery would never be abolished. Former Democrat (as post Republicans were former Whigs). Opposes too much resource trading with foreign nations, as it could lead to diplomatic strain. Supports war with Britain.

Edward Bates, Age 67, Missouri Lawyer. Wants to follow Henry Clay's footsteps. Disagrees with blacks being able to join the army, and instead proposes that freed slaves in the South should be returned to American colonies in Africa. Wants to focus on war over Africa, as the freed slaves might join the Dutch or Ethiopian side of the war.

Benjamin Wade, Age 60, Ohio Senator. Wants to fight for woman's suffrage, trade union rights, and total equality (not just emancipation) of African-Americans. Critical of monopolies. Critical of compromise. Does not support war with Britain.


Union Party
Gerrit Smith, Age 63, New York politician, philanthropist, and abolitionist. Wants to settle the war, as he sees no way for there to be compromise. After replacing Southern states with those who would listen to the federal government, wants to compensate to both the slavers and the slaves. Supports woman's suffrage. Sees all men and women as brothers and sisters of the same family. Doesn't want Confederate figures tried for treason or war crimes, instead choosing to forgive them. Supports war with Britain, Netherlands, but not Ethiopia, as he believes that American colonies are more humane than British and Dutch. Ethiopians have a right to their homeland, however.


Democratic Party
Platform: Attempt to re-unite the Union through compromise. Popular Sovereignty. Support colonization.
Stephen A. Douglas, Age 47, Illinois Senator and Representative. After re-uniting the nation, wants the South to re-vote on slavery. Says that blacks were not ensured by the constitution to have rights, but urges the South to treat them more humane. Says we need more time to prepare for war with Britain.

James Guthrie, Age 68, Kentucky Senator and Secretary of the Treasury. Says that the North should just defend against Southern attacks, and the economy will decide that they should rejoin the Union. Wants to wait for the war with Britain, Netherlands, and Ethiopia until the colonies are better prepared.

Andrew Johnson, Age 52, Tennessee Governor and Senator. Wants to work with both parties to end partisanship and focus on the Civil War. Would refuse anything his party asks for him to support the president's authority. Does not think the constitution gives African-Americans rights. Declares that the South should have just vetoed McLean's policies. Only senator to remain in the Union after his state seceded. Wants to focus on war with Britain, Ethiopia, and Netherlands entirely and fight supremacy over their colonies.


Constitution Party
Edward Everett, Age 66, Massachussets Governor, Representative, Senator, Harvard President, Secretary of State, and Ambassador to Britain. Wants to settle the Civil War, but says the constitution does not need rewriting as the Bible specifically states "Slaves obey your master". Wants to avoid war with Britain and focus on national unity and improvement of the colonies. Wants to repeal the Indian Removal Act. Opposes the slave trade, as it is kidnapping. Wants to re-enact alliances to bring down monarchies, and work on giving Peru more influence in Latin America. Wants to ally with Germany, as their ideals are closer to George Washington's than France's currently is. Wants to work to topple monarchies around the world.


Campaign News:
In a completely surprising turn of events, the relatively obscure Union Party nominated Gerrit Smith. Smith, stating his health has been so poor he hasn't traveled since 1858, accepted the nomination but did not run. He donated 50 dollars to help for the printing of the ballots. The party swept through the states, mainly spreading through organized events and word-of-mouth.

President McLean got no votes from his own party's convention. He returned home, and did a few months later. Candidate Abraham Lincoln took the Republican Party, being chosen as the most moderate and accessible. The Democratic Party took humiliating losses in this election.

Let us hope Smith can solve the nation's Civil War and lead the nation to safety and stability.

Republican Party 6
• Lincoln 3
• Seward 1
• Cameron 1
• Wade 1

Union Party 8
• Smith 8

Democratic Party 1
• Douglas 1
• Guthrie 0
• Johnson 0

Constitution Party 0
• Everett 0

EDIT: Vote changed; I vote for William H. Seward

Wade.