American Parliament Election Series: 1862

The election of 1858 was a strong victory for the Liberal Republicans led by popular New Yorker, William H. Seward. Seward immediately set to work on his agenda to gradually phase out slavery, compensating property owners and allowing freedmen to purchase a portion of property and find gainful employment, though many former slaves returned to work for their former masters when it became apparent that they would not be hired elsewhere. Seward and his talented Internal Affairs Minister Abraham Lincoln spearheaded a plan through the House that would pay industries to locate in the South and hire black workers. This plan was supported strongly by the Radical Party, and though the Conservatives strenuously objected, preferring to offer tax benefits rather than payments, the plan became law with mixed success. Several industrial leaders, aided by local officials, essentially defrauded the government by taking the money and hiring black workers for a short period before firing them under less than what would usually be considered fireable offenses. Seward, enraged, instructed Attorney General Edwin Stanton to bring the case before the Courts. The Supreme Court of the Dominion ruled in favor of the industrialists, stating that there was no cause to believe the businessmen had broken the law. Feeling his authority as Prime Minister challenged, Seward asked the Governor of the American Dominion to dissolve Parliament with Queen Victoria's blessing. Seward received permission and an election was set.

Meanwhile, as this went on, the Conservatives elected a new leader. The forceful and eloquent Stephen Douglas. Douglas correctly felt that the party would go nowhere if they continued to advocate for slavery, so Douglas shifted gears and adopted a platform dedicated to local issues. In the farming areas, the Conservatives campaigned as a friend. The party that would stop the overreaching Seward and the demented Radicals. Of good sound government. In the cities, the Conservatives portrayed themselves as friends of the small businessman. The Seward Ministry's plan of forced hiring was portrayed as tyrannical. Douglas was a hard campaigner who blasted Seward's overreaching programs as straight from the Radical playbook.

The Radicals were boosted greatly by their successes in 1858. Though not willing to form a coalition, Seward entered a supply and confidence agreement with the 31 Radical MPs. Charles Sumner and his deputy Thaddeus Stevens wielded considerable influence in the 1858-1862 Parliament, including convincing the Seward Ministry to desegregate all federal buildings. The Radicals are now running in almost all seats (Except for that of the Speaker Joshua Giddings) and look to make gains of up to 50 MPs.

In foreign affairs, matters were mostly calm, although France's invasion of Mexico brought considerable tensions in Europe as well as North America. Seward once again made an offer to the Texas Republic for annexation, but was refused. However, due to the domestic situation, war was avoided. The Franco-Mexican War was a much greater problem. Seward felt that France had designs on large chunks of territory, especially far off California, which would jeopardize any American expansion plans. Seward as well as British officials threatened the French, but Napoleon III pressed on with his own plans. Seward planned to meet with Mexican officials about purchasing California, but the election was commenced before he received a reply from the beleaguered Mexicans.

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