1840 U.S. Presidential Election

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

The War of Secession

Adams' election by the House with the support of only northern states had pushed sectional tensions to their tipping point. While Adams had already made his name as enemy of the South enough in his "third" term, his post-presidency had alienated Southern Republicans even more. Becoming an outspoken opponent of slavery upon leaving office, even defending slaves in court, the South was more than a little uneasy with him assuming power a third time. The fact that Adams had been elected by the House without winning a majority of the electoral or popular vote was the last straw for the South. Even as the lower chamber was deadlocked after the first round of voting, the country was dividing. While President Henry Clay would make sure to mobilize federal troops against attempts at secession, Southern governors made sure to keep as many state troops, as well as state militias in line. When the election of Adams was officially announced, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Virginia, and Arkansas all passed bills of secession.

On March 4th, 1837, power officially changed hands from Clay back to Adams. While the election had divided them, secession had united them. While Clay had attempted to compromise with the loose Confederation of American States to bring them back into the folds, he was prepared to use force, and both Adams and Clay intended to reuinte the country. Nevertheless, it would be Adams who was prepared to use the strong arm of the federal government to take them back. Soon, however, Georgia, Louisiana, and even Tennessee broke ties with the union in solidarity with their regional brethren. The next four years would the hardest in the short nation's history. Nevertheless, it was thanks to Adams' tireless resolve, even against domestic political enemies that sought either compromise or to allow the nation to sink into dissolution, that would see him through.

By now, the war is nearly won, having made heroes of such famed generals as Winfield Scott and William Henry Harrison. The famed General Zachary Taylor who led CAS forces, was hung in February, 1840, before a makeshift military tribunal in Vicksburg, Mississippi. Now, the federal government is busy chasing bands of Southern militias throughout the Louisiana bayous and Appalachian Mountains.

In an upset, Martin Van Buren would be narrowly nominated over General Winfield Scott to win the Union Party nomination, a victory for the party's liberals. The Nationals meanwhile would put their best foot forward and renominate Henry Clay, likely the only man that could even hope for a National victory. The Republicans, meanwhile, were in a political free-fall and nominated "doughface" Franklin Pierce. In order to appease party unionists, Franics Preston Blair was nominated for Vice President.

Three days. Any questions on the platforms? Feel free to ask.

[OAM]

Time to set things right and put Clay back in office.

[Senator Spiral]

Van Buren!

[Goldwater]

Van Buren!

[ElectionsGuy]

Van Buren!

[Peter the Lefty]

Van Buren is the only one I can stomach.

[Anna Komnene]

You guys realize that VB is like the 1820s/30s version of Terry McAuliffe right?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

You guys realize that VB is like the 1820s/30s version of Terry McAuliffe right?

Van Buren is the only one I can stomach.

Does the fact that both of these things are true mean that this is the 1840s version of the VA 2013 Gubernatorial election.  Who does that make Clay and Pierce

[Cassius]

I know you already went over this a little, but what are the candidates stances in reconstruction.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Not Van Buren or Pierce.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

Van Buren is the only one I can stomach.

Why not Clay?

[Peter the Lefty]

Van Buren is the only one I can stomach.

Why not Clay?

He was a slaveowner and the architect of the rl Compromise of 1850.  Utter scum.

[TDAS04]

Van Buren

[Kaine for Senate '18]

Clay

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

I know you already went over this a little, but what are the candidates' stances in Reconstruction?

[Chancellor Tanterterg]

@ Clay voters: You guys realize that the chances of Clay, himself a slave owner, getting the ball rolling on the abolition of slavery are probably very low, right?

[MATTROSE94]

Whichever one will abolish slavery and lay out the best reconstruction plan.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

It's kinda weird that Cassius and Peter are both voting for the same non-universally loved candidate.

[Supersonic]

From Clay to Adams and back to Clay again.

[Cassius]

Made up my mind and went for Clay. Where to next for the Republicans, seeing as their chances of victory seem fairly non-existant.

[H.E. VOLODYMYR ZELENKSYY]

If Clay is elected, serves two terms, and passes the reigns to Charles Francis Adams in 1848 for eight years, we could have 32 years of Presidents only named Adams and Clay.

[FEMA Camp Administrator]

If Clay is elected, serves two terms, and passes the reigns to Charles Francis Adams in 1848 for eight years, we could have 32 years of Presidents only named Adams and Clay.

Don't forget Cassius Clay, Henry Clay II, John Quincy Adams II, Charles Francis Adams II, etc... Too bad you guys passed up the chance to put John Adams himself in that line. Once that runs out of steam, naturally, there will be about a million presidents names Roosevelt, then Kennedy and maybe Rockefeller.

However, I'll do my best to put a stop to that rubbish.

[Oldiesfreak1854]

If Clay is elected, serves two terms, and passes the reigns to Charles Francis Adams in 1848 for eight years, we could have 32 years of Presidents only named Adams and Clay.

Don't forget Cassius Clay, Henry Clay II, John Quincy Adams II, Charles Francis Adams II, etc... Too bad you guys passed up the chance to put John Adams himself in that line. Once that runs out of steam, naturally, there will be about a million presidents names Roosevelt, then Kennedy and maybe Rockefeller.

However, I'll do my best to put a stop to that rubbish.

Don't forget President Debs, too.
 
All hail the fearless leader of the USSA!

[PJ]

Eww