Alternate History Timeline 1916 - 2016

[Wells]

I've decided to make a new timeline! This one should be a lot better than my other timeline (which I haven't really been updating and don't plan on continuing), and deals with an alternate history. There isn't really anything special about this alternate history, it's just things in American history that might have gone differently and how they would have affected other things. I'm starting with the 1916 election because it happened 100 years ago. I'll have the results first and then a summary of the campaign, which I won't do again. Here we go:

Theodore Elijah Burton/Elmer Jacob Burkett 292 EV's  47.67%
Woodrow Wilson/Thomas R. Marshall                  239 EV's   47.69%

Wilson campaigned on American neutrality during World War I, as emphasized by his slogan “He Kept Us Out Of The War.” Burton, like Wilson also wanted to keep America out of World War I, but said he could do it more successfully than Wilson, as Wilson was sending troops into Mexico to support certain factions in the Mexican Civil War. (Supposedly this showed Wilson was a hawk.) His pacifist platform helped him in Western states to a certain extent, but not enough to really matter. Burton also criticized Roosevelt on his “pro-labor” laws, though this hurted him with factory workers. Burton was endorsed by Theodore Roosevelt, which helped him with progressives;, and Hiram Johnson, which helped him in California. Because he had represented Ohio’s 21st and 22nd districts in the House of Representatives, he was able to win it. (It didn't hurt that Burton/Burkett is very alliterative, either.)

As you can see, Burton won the electoral vote, but lost the popular vote, which would cause a small controversy about the electoral college for the next few years.

[/]

Very nice! I look forward to this continuing.

[NOT gonna be banned soon]

Interesting, keep it up!

[Wells]

1916 Senate Results

Republicans 48(+6)
Democrats    48(-6)

Ties will be broken by the (Republican) vice president, so while the Senate is tied, Republicans have true victory here.

In the House of Representatives (which I won't be making maps for), the Republicans gained 22 seats, the Progressive Party lost one seat, the single Independent lost his seat, and the Democratic Party lost 20 seats. This created a total of 218 Republican seats (a very small majority), 210 Democratic seats, five Progressive Party seats, one Socialist Party, and one Prohibition Party seat.

[Wells]

US Politics, 1917


Theodore Elijah Burton (1851-1928), 29th US President


Elmer Jacob Burkett (1867-1935), 29th US Vice President

Theodore Burton entered office in the middle of United States acquisition of the Virgin Islands from Denmark. He continued the acquisition, though it wasn’t one of his top priorities. As a result, Denmark wasn’t paid for the Virgin Islands until November.

Burton also immediately removed American military influence in Mexico, and started working on normalizing relations with the country, as Mexico did not approve of Wilson's interference with their civil war. Mexico did seem more receptive to a new president, but anti-American sentiment remained (and was still the norm).

His presidency took a turn for the worse when the Zimmerman telegram was published. Public opinion shifted towards war, and many Republicans and Democrats alike started to call on Congress to declare war. Burton, however, seemed strangely silent on the issue. That is, until April 2, when he stated that “under no circumstances” would the United States go to to war with Germany. This sparked an outrage among most citizens who wanted to go to war. Thomas Marshall called Burton a “dandy,” and said Wilson would have been a better president (and thus, the electoral college controversies grew larger). Burton doubled down on his comments, but Congress declared war on Germany anyway on April 11. Burton begrudgingly started meeting with military advisors to fulfill his presidential duty of Commander in Chief.

Burton set up a draft, an effective training program, and hired top military strategists for the war. He wanted to win the war as quickly as possible to ensure peace in Europe. Burton went to France to visit the front lines and coordinate with their President, Raymond Poincaré. He was very involved in the war. Some had difficulty believing that this was the same president as nine sentences ago (there are some conspiracy theories about this). However, his military strategies worked, and by the end of the year, it seemed that the Allies would win by the end of 1918.

Burton wasn’t out of the woods yet. The Supreme Court upheld Wilson’s 8-hour workday (for railroad workers), which did not make wealthy businessmen happy. What made them even less happy was the fact that most Congressmen weren’t interested in repealing this law. They decided the answer was a few generous donations. A few generous donations later, the bill that would repeal that law passed Congress (and there were a few Senators who would later propose anti-corruption bills because of this). Burton signed it. Many middle-class and poor Americans (especially railroad workers) were outraged. They began to believe that Wilson should should have been the president instead of Burton, as he won the popular vote. A few politically minded wealthy people agreed.

In this alternate history, the Espionage Act and Lansing-Ishii agreement are still signed by Burton (instead of Wilson).

[Kempros]

History is so amazing that if you tweak the tiniest of objects in the past, the future will look totally different. It blows my mind that the magnitude of change would be unprecedented that I really don't bother trying to go into great depth into alt history.

[Wells]

US Politics, 1918

World War I was not going well. Where we last left off, Allied victory was all but assured. But, a decisive battle in Hazebrouck beginning on April 9 resulted in German gains and substantial damage to the British military. This was part of the Germans’ Spring Offensive. On April 20, the Germans declared victory and took control of this advantageous area. Many attributed this to a perplexing move by Burton, in which he replaced a highly respected and experienced general with a novice. This was seen as another major failure of the Burton presidency (and thus, the electoral college controversies grew larger). Some people questioned why the United States was fighting the war in the first place.

At the same time, a new disease was spreading. Involvement with the war had spread Spanish flu to the United States. Seeing this as an opening to improve public approval, he started a program which would help treat, cure, and prevent this flu. He gave an invigorating speech about what we can accomplish when we all come together. For the most part, the program seemed to work.

Things seemed to get better in Europe, too. While the Germans were reinvigorated by their recent victories, the Allied forces, had new resolve and would not fall as easily this time. Burton also reinstated the general, which helped too. As the German military tried to advance along the River Lys in early May, they met unexpectedly strong Allied opposition and found themselves pushed back to where they started at the beginning of the offensive. Burton wasn’t liked too much more after this, but he was found more favorable by many (even though it wasn’t really him who pushed back the Germans).

But Burton’s critics would find something to seize on, And they quickly found it. On May 16 he vetoed the Sedition Act. His reason for doing so was that in his mind, it violated the First Amendment, but most people saw it as another sign of his weakness, pacifism, and all around dandiness (as Thomas Marshall so elegantly put it last year - and thus, the electoral college controversies grew larger). Burton found this infuriating.

On the home front, one group of people were proving that they could work just as hard as any other man. That’s right, the Suffragist movement was gaining ground. Some skeptical politicians weren’t convinced about the women’s right to vote, until they saw how they had effortlessly taken over men’s jobs when it was time for them to go to war. And the women made it clear that they weren’t leaving these jobs quietly. So, of course, Burton would be convinced on this, right? Actually, he made a few comments calling women “weak” and that they should go back home “where they belong” and do the cooking and cleaning. The First Lady wasn’t happy. And this was reported on many major newspapers (and thus - the electoral college controversies grew larger).

In an effort to boost approvals (again), Burton came out in favor of prohibition. This pleased pro-Prohibition groups and made anti-Prohibition groups very angry. However, most people did support Prohibition, so this had the desired effect.

A second wave of the dreaded Spanish flu came to America in August, and this time, America was ready, because Burton’s program was still in effect and still effective. (Though the flu was stronger this time, and caused a little bit more damage.)

Meanwhile, In Europe, the Allies were winning. Their strategy was successfully pushing the Germans back. They advanced past Amiens, Somme, and the Hindenburg Line by the end of October. Finally, on November 16, an armistice was signed. Burton went to the peace talks on December 7. As you can see, Armistice is after the midterms, which you will be seeing the results of shortly. Will Republicans be able to hold their majorities? Or is Burton so disastrous that Democrats score major victories? Find out in about an hour. Or two.

[Wells]

1918 MIDTERMS

Senate

Democrats 55(+7)
Republicans  41(-7)

Idaho elected one Democrat and one Republican to the Senate.

In the House of Representatives, the Democratic Party gained nineteen sets for a total of 229; the Republicans lost seventeen seats for a total of 201; the Progressive Party lost two seats for a total of three; the Socialist Party gained one seat for a total of two; and the Prohibition Party lost its only seat.

[Wells]

Us Politics, 1919

Congress passed an Amendment to the Constitution which would remove the electoral college and replace it with a direct election. This made President Burton mad, but he was in France at the time, and we're going to cover what he was doing there now.

Burton was adamant that Germany would not be punished too severely economically because he didn't want any anger against the Allies to grow there. He managed to have the reparations decreased by one-tenth, though nobody liked the idea. However, he did support the removal of all of Germany's military once Americans back home called him weak for being too soft on Germany. David Lloyd George and Georges Clemenceau found this idea appealing and Germany lost everything except a few soldiers and a tank. The Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 14.

Burton had spent months in Paris and came back to find America a complete mess. While in France, he had supported the strengthening of the (American) police force due to violence in Cleveland, Charleston, and the offices of numerous major public figures. He also supported an increase in molasses regulation (long story). However, it (the violence, not the molasses) was worse than he had heard, and Americans weren't happy that he had "abandoned" them. So, he signed laws that would increase the inspection of mail to politicians and further expanded the police force. In a few years, there would be a policeman on every block in America, according to the writings of the time.

In the wake of a Red Scare, Burton signed a bill that would assuage the fear of many while increasing the fears of some. The bill made it punishable to express "extreme" opinions. Anarchists, radicals, statists, and reactionaries could be fined if they made speeches or wrote books. The actual wording of the law was vague, and exactly what was extreme was subjective (and had racist undertones). The Supreme Court would strike this down within ten years, but this combined with the increase in police made America seem Communitarian. Nobody really liked Burton at this point, though, because people questioned the switch on this issue, as he vetoed the Sedition Act.

Burton took the side of the big companies in the many strikes that occurred. This angered the workers. With the president's powerful backing; police, coal workers, phone workers, and steel workers had to work in harsher conditions and decided not to vote for Burton in 1920.

Due to the increase in policing, many lynchings, riots, and shootings were being stopped, though the police were joining in on some of them. This caused a sharp decline in popularity for Burton because the stories of "rogue police officers" sold newspapers well.

Because Burton supported the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, Congress didn't, and the Senate did not accept the Treaty. Burton felt like nothing was going his way, and his next speech was more like a rant. Newspapers wondered if Burton was still sane.

The Volstead Act failed to pass the Senate, which also angered Burton, but he wisely decided not to voice it. He voiced his opposition to women's suffrage instead, which helped the cause.

[Wells]

US Politics, 1920

Burton had no interest in running for re-election. Republicans had no interest in renominating him (though he received 13 delegates at the final count). Burton decided that his last year in office would serve mainly to boost his sad reputation and help the new Republican nominee attain the presidency.

In late spring, Burton decided to go on a trip around the country making speeches that emphasized the achievements of his presidency, such as improving relations with Mexico, winning World War I, successfully combating the Spanish flu, and growing the police force. In 25 days, he visited ten states and made sixteen speeches. This was widely covered by newspapers and it was one of the few moments that he received positive press during his presidency. He even continued making speeches after it was over. Due to the success of this tour, many later presidents would follow in his footsteps by going on their own road trips.

On February 16, Prohibition became law in the United States. There was a sizeable outcry, but the sheer numbers of police officers enforced it well. At this point, people knew their neighborhood policeman like a friend (or an abusive father, but these policemen were quickly dealt with).

On July 17, women gained the right to vote. There were celebrations in the streets as women went to get themselves registered in groups. The voting population was effectively doubled, and in New Hampshire, it tripled. Burton, knowing that his previous comments would definitely hurt the Republican nominee, made a humble speech about how he realized his mistakes, changed his mind, etc. Some people saw through it and didn't believe him, but most people were ready to accept his change of mind, especially after his recent approval increase.

On September 16, a coordinated domestic terrorist act occurred. At noon, a horse-drawn wagon filled with dynamite exploded across from J. P. Morgan headquarters at 23 Wall Street. On the same day, Theodore Burton was shot whilst giving a speech. Both incidents were quickly resolved thanks to police presence. The perpetrators of the attack were arrested immediately and publicly hanged one month later after a trial. However, Burton was unlucky. He died the next day in a hospital. His last words were, "Thanks to our swift action, who knows how many lives we saved." They referred to the Spanish flu and his actions against it.

Elmer Jacob Burkett became the 30th president of the United States. He didn't accomplish much during the last half of 1920.


The results of the 1920 election are coming. Are you excited?

[Wells]

1920 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION

At the Republican convention, the party decided that, after Burton's disappointing presidency, they were going to return to progressivism. The conservative wing of the Republican Party begrudgingly agreed, and Leonard Wood, a friend of Theodore Roosevelt, was nominated. The VP candidate was Irvine Lenroot.

The Democrats chose William Gibbs McAdoo for their candidate due to the fact that Wilson gave McAdoo his support after announcing that he himself wasn't interested in the presidency again. Their VP candidate was Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who was chosen as VP due to his last name.

Both candidates benefitted from their opposition to the Treaty of Versailles and the League of Nations, though McAdoo had a more moderate stance. Both candidates supported suffrage. But Wood supported Prohibition while McAdoo did not.

Leonard Wood was branded too radical by McAdoo and attacked for the failures of Burton's administration. While these attacks started to backfire once Burton's support increased, a recession started which further hurt Burton's and Wood's popularity. FDR was also an important figure on the campaign trail.

Wood countered by defending Burton while also drawing contrast between Burton and himself while at the same time outspending McAdoo 2 to 1.

Despite this, the new women's vote went Republican, while the men's vote went Democratic by a smaller margin. The defense of Burton's legacy worked.

Leonard Wood/Irvine Lenroot  302 EV's  52.7%
William Gibbs McAdoo/Franklin Delano Roosevelt  229 EV's 41.77%

The amendment to elect presidents by direct vote was still being hotly debated, and had only been ratified by six states.

I'll post the Congressional results tomorrow.

[Wells]

I'll post the Congressional results tomorrow.

I'm a little late. Sorry. Anyway, the Senate results were:

Democrats 50 (-5)
Republicans 45 (+4)
Independents 1 (+1)

In the House of Representatives, the Republican Party gained forty-one seats for a total of 242 and the Democratic Party lost forty-four seats for a total of 185. The Progressive Party gained four seats for a total of 7, the Prohibition Party gained one seat for a total of 1, and the socialist Party lost both of its seats.

[Wells]

US Politics, 1921


Leonard Wood (1860-1927), 30th US President


Irvine Lenroot (1869-1949), 30th US Vice President

One of Burton's last act as president was to sign the Emergency Quota Act into law.

Leonard Wood had been opposed to some of Burton's policies, so as president he pushed for a repeal of some his more controversial laws. To begin with, he was infinitely more hawkish than Burton (being a former military general) and increased American involvement in Haiti and Mexico.

He also reinstated the eight-hour workday and signed laws aimed at reducing corruption in government, in addition to other labor laws protecting workers. This was to the dissatisfaction of many conservatives in his own party, but Irvine Lenroot successfully defended many of his policies and the majority of the American public supported them.

Lenroot further strengthened the police force in America but believed training them would be more effective than just increasing their numbers. However, when he pleaded his case before Congress, they rejected the idea. Lenroot then reportedly told them that it was a "mistake" and that "something bad" would happen as a result of refusing to listen. There was no evidence he said this, though, only rumors that began months later.

In late May, a race riot occurred in Tulsa, Oklahoma, after a black man was accused of assault and things started to get out of hand. What made this story big was that some supposedly friendly policemen had led the riot. This normally wouldn't have made people angry in 1920, but it turned out that most of the commercial section of Tulsa was destroyed in the riot and this obviously meant police officers needed to be better trained. (As for the dead black people and their destroyed homes, many were still racist in 1920.) This was when rumors began of Wood's supposed foresight and now Congress was listening to him. He signed a series of laws to better America's police system by the end of the year. By the end of 1921, Wood was proving to be a lot more popular than Burton.


If I don't mention something in this TL, it's because it didn't happen (or it has no effect on this TL). Expect 2016 (when we get there) to be completely different. Feel free to give feedback.

[Kingpoleon]

I caught your reference to TNVolunteer.