Alternate US History (1788 onwards)

[West_Midlander]

United States House of Representatives, 1834
143-75-25-9 Democratic Majority (Democratic-Whig-AntiMasonic-Nullifier)
United States Senate, 1834
24-20-2 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic-Nullifier)
A belligerent, Democratic House portrays Harrison as a Do-Nothing President, due to not being able to get bills to pass the House (due to a huge Democratic majority).

The Whig Party fractures, with the "Nullifier Whigs" fielding Sen. Willie P. Mangum of North Carolina and SC Governor James Hamilton Jr.

The National Whigs (called by themselves)/Western Whigs (called by opponents to undermine party unity among Whigs) fields Pres. William Henry Harrison and VP George M. Dallas

The Democrats field Fmr. VP Martin van Buren and Rep. Richard Mentor Johnson.

United States Presidential Election, 1836

Henry Clay, the Whig Senate Leader, deserts Harrison, blaming the huge Democratic House Majority on him. He campaigns for many representatives and calls on his connections across state legislatures. The Whig voter base views Clay as the "shadow nominee." Many defect to van Buren and many, many more write-in Clay (though those votes are not counted).
United States House of Representatives, 1836
128-100-7-6 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic-AntiMasonic-Nullifier)
United States Senate, 1836
34-17-1 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic-Nullifier)

[West_Midlander]

Thought this would be interesting to include (will include in future posts)
1-4 March 1832: First U.S. political party nominating convention: Anti-Masonic Party holds their party convention in New York City, NY. William Wirt is nominated (unanimously) and the ticket heads to the Northeast (but only pulls out Vermont in the election; due to Wirt's running mate).

17-20 May 1832: Martin van Buren in unanimously selected as nominee, due to the help of Jackson and Calhoun.

1-8 June 1832: The Whig National Convention is held at Northern Liberties, PA (now a part of Philadelphia) in order to counter van Buren's running mate, this move is unsuccessful. After many days of debate, Harrison is nominated as the Whig candidate for President (unanimously). As expected, he turns down the nomination and runs as a National Republican (his own party). The Whigs do not field a nominee, as a result.

8-9 June 1832: The Nullifiers unanimously nominate Floyd in New Orleans, LA.
5-9 May 1836: The Whig National Convention is held in Philadelphia, PA. Harrison is the only person to contest the nomination.
May 9th
1st Round
Harrison: 67
Clay: 85
Abstain: 12
Clay is not officially contesting the nomination, he does not wish to cast himself in a callous manner, by contesting a sitting Whig president, despite Harrison's failings (note: Harrison officially switched to the Whigs in 1832, wishing to accept their nomination. Henry Clay especially blames Harrison for adamantly remaining a National Republican and leaving Whigs out to dry, allowing for a huge Democratic House Majority to be elected in 1830). The Vice Chair of the Party is announcing, over a wave of applause and cheers: "Sen. Henry Clay is the Whig Nomin—"
The pro-Harrison Party Chair rules that the Clay votes are out of order. A second vote is called.
2nd Round
Harrison: 71
Clay: 90
Abstain: 3
Chair: "Once again, the Clay delegates are out of order, I motion for a voice-vote to suspend them of their delegateship. All in favor say Aye."
"...aye..."
"All opposed, say—"
"NAY!!!"
Chair: "The Nays did not allow the Chair speak. Those delegate are out of order. I'm suspending a voice vote, those delegates are suspended of their delegateship!"
*Massive Boos, Most delegates storm out*
A third round of voting is called.
Third Round
Harrison: 52
Absent: 22 (the 3 abstains and some of the Harrison delegates leave the Convention due to the injustice of forcing a nominee)
(Those 'stripped of delegateship' are not counted)
Chair: "Harrison is the Whig nominee for President of the United States."
The Vice-Chair and Party Secretary storm out of the convention hall.

1-3 June 1836: The Nullifier Whigs form and hold their Convention in Charleston, SC. Mangum is unanimously selected as nominee.

21-23 May 1836: Democratic National Convention
1st Round (May 23)
Martin Van Buren: 208
Philip Pendleton Barbour: 49
Richard Mentor Johnson: 26
Martin van Buren and Richard Mentor Johnson (chosen by van Buren) are the nominees for President and Vice President.

[West_Midlander]

United States Senate, 1838
28-20 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives, 1838
125-109-6-2 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic-AntiMasonic-Conservative)

William Henry Harrison attempts to contest the Whig primaries, his image is severely damaged after losing in a landslide to van Buren in 1836 (and van Buren will likely be the Democratic nominee this time).
1-6 December 1839
Whig National Convention: Charleston, SC
Round 1
Henry Clay: 726
William Henry Harrison: 6
Senate Majority Leader Henry Clay chooses Sen. John Tyler as his Vice Presidential candidate.

8-10 May 1840
Democratic National Convention: Baltimore, MD
Round 1
Martin van Buren: 626
James Buchanan: 106
Lewis Cass: 0
Pres. Martin van Buren and VP Richard Mentor Johnson are the Democratic nominees.

4-7 June 1840
Liberty Party Convention: Albany, New York
Round 1
James G. Birney: 1000
Unallocated: 600 (Southern primaries are organized but called off due to a lack of abolitionist support in the region)
Birney is nominated for President. He selects Thomas Earle as his running mate.

United States Presidential Election, 1840

The abolitionist, Liberty Party comes in at third place. Henry Clay receives an electoral landslide over Martin van Buren, who had to fight against the Congress during his whole tenure.

United States Senate, 1840
26-24 Whig Majority (Whig-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives, 1840
122-119 Whig Majority

[West_Midlander]

Henry Clay, ever the Great Compromiser, negotiates an exit of US military forces from the Everglades and surrounding area, with a respect to the self-determination of the Seminole Indians. The war concludes with less casualties for both sides. There is no forced migration.

United States Senate, 1842
27-23 Democratic Majority
United States House of Representatives, 1842
123-118 Democratic Majority

May 27–29, 1835: Democratic National Convention: Baltimore, MD
1st Round
James K. Polk: 250
Lewis Cass: 194
Levi Woodbury: 168
James Buchanan: 76
Richard Mentor Johnson: 44
2nd Round
James K. Polk: 250
Lewis Cass: 238
Levi Woodbury: 168
James Buchanan: 76
3rd Round
James K. Polk: 250
Levi Woodbury: 244
Lewis Cass: 238
4th Round
James K. Polk: 488
Levi Woodbury: 244
TN Gov. James K. Polk & Fmr. Amb. Lewis Cass are the Democratic nominees.

May 31-June 2, 1844: Whig National Convention: Baltimore, MD
Clay: 456
Seward: 186
McLean: 48
Scott: 24
Clayton: 18
Pres. Henry Clay & VP John Tyler are the Whig nominees.

July 1-4, 1844: Liberty Party Convention: Boston, MA
Birney: 1300
James G. Birney and Fmr. Sen. Thomas Morris (OH) are the Liberty Party nominees.

United States Presidential Election, 1844

Pres. Henry Clay is re-elected by a close PV margin and a close EV majority (141/139 needed). The Liberty Party exceeds 14% and narrowly takes the state of Massachusetts. Many states are very close, with the Liberty Party finishing second, even in some (large) states like Illinois. There is no clear North-South divide as Clay breaks into the South (as a Southerner), but Polk breaks into the North (with neither candidate having a clear Northern advantage).

James K. Polk is appointed to be Secretary of War, as an act of good faith. James G. Birney is appointed as Secretary of State.

United States Senate, 1844
24-22-4 No Majority (Whig-Democratic-Liberty)
United States House of Representatives, 1844
106-98-37 Whig Control (w/ Liberty)
The Liberty Party Representatives vote for a Whig Speaker of the House. As a result, the Whigs vote for a Liberty Party Deputy Speaker.

[West_Midlander]

Thoughts on the recent several updates? I notice the style has shifted quite a bit, and I'm wondering if you folks are liking the new look. (Also: I'm planning to expand the primary description in the future, esp. for more modern time periods, probably to a state-by-state result. )

[West_Midlander]

United States Senate, 1846
29-27 Whig Majority
United States House of Representatives, 1846
119-102-10 Whig Majority
*10 seats are Liberty Party seats.

The Mexican-American War leads to more ambitious annexations by the United States. Ambitious Secretary of War, James K. Polk, pushes President Clay to annex the RL Mexican Cession, in addition to the RL Gadsden Purchase and Baja California.

Sen Lewis Cass, Sen. James Buchanan and Assoc. Justice Levi Woodbury enter the Democratic primaries when 1844 nominee, James K. Polk (who they all lost to), announces he will not run for President (knowing he will be ousted as War Sec'y, if he loses and Clay wins). Mexican-American War veteran and Fmr. Sen. Franklin Pierce contests the Democratic nomination.
Democratic National Convention — Baltimore, MD
419 to win
1st Round
Cass: 390
Buchanan: 312
Woodbury: 114
Pierce: 20
2nd Round
Cass: 390
Buchanan: 332
Woodbury: 114
3rd Round
Cass: 446
Buchanan: 390
Sen. Lewis Cass and Sen. James Buchanan are the Democratic nominees for President and Vice President!

Pres. Henry Clay, considering retirement decides to throw his hat into the ring once again, running on American success in the Mexican-American War. Gen. Zachary Taylor and Gen. Winfield Scott do the same, but have more valid claims to that victory, due to physically leading those winning forces into battle. US Senator John M. Clayton (W-DE) and Associate Justice John McLean head into the race, eyeing VP slots.
Whig National Convention — Philadelphia, PA
419 to win
1st Round
Clay: 402
Taylor: 320
Scott: 108
Clayton: 6
2nd Round
Clay: 408
Taylor: 320
Scott: 108
3rd Round
Taylor: 428
Clay: 408
Gen. Zachary Taylor and NY Gov. Millard Fillmore (alternate career ITTL) are the Whig nominees!
Taylor had an early lead, eventually fell behind Clay and was carried over the top at the convention, proclaimed as the Hero of the Mexican-American War.

Martin van Buren forms the Free Soil party, to stop the expansion of slavery and run for President again. He leaves the Democrats, who have become increasingly conservative and pro-slavery.
Free Soil Party Convention — Buffalo, NY
401 to win
van Buren: 800
Fmr. Pres. Martin van Buren chooses Assoc. Justice Woodbury as his running mate!

The Liberty Party fields Sen. John P. Hale. Under speculation that they would not contest the election, due to the Free Soil Party. Sen. Hale affirms: "Stopping the expansion of slavery is well and good...abolition is better!"
Liberty Party National Convention — New York City, NY
751 delegates to win
Hale: 1500
Hale is the Liberty Party nominee. He chooses Mr. Gerrit Smith as his running mate.
United States Presidential Election, 1848

Van Buren takes Wisconsin by >3%. It was another close race between the two major parties, as was 1844, and with a similar result. Henry Clay runs for Senate in Kentucky and is elected (returns to the Senate). Martin van Buren is blamed for the Democrats' loss and is exiled from the party. John C. Calhoun attacks van Buren and says Andrew Jackson would be rolling in his grave (died 3 years prior).

United States Senate, 1848
30-29-1 Democratic Minority Leadership (Democratic-Whig-Liberty)
United States House of Representatives, 1848
108-103-14-6 Whig Minority Leadership (Whig-Democratic-Free Soil-Liberty)

[West_Midlander]

During his brief tenure as President of the United States, Zachary Taylor, subject to failing health, a lack of political experience, and with an unstable Congress, completes little during his years as President.

July 9, 1850: (As in OTL) Zachary Taylor dies. Vice President Millard Fillmore is sworn in as President. Fmr. US Senator Theodore Frelinghuysen (Whig-NJ) is sworn in as Vice President.

September 1850: Henry Clay's Compromise of 1850 is the same as in OTL except Baja California is subject to sustained territory status, under the jurisdiction of the State of California.

Southerners and Democrats, displeased with the 1850 Compromise, and with a failed and fallen Whig President, storm the polls in late 1850.

United States Senate Election, 1850
33-22-3 Democratic Majority (Democratic-Whig-Liberty)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1850
143-99-13 Democratic Majority

James Buchanan and former nominee, Lewis Cass, announce they will not pursue the presidency. Sen. Franklin Pierce announces. Moderates Stephen A. Douglas and Sam Houston, both Senators, throw their hats into the ring.
Democratic National Convention — Baltimore, MD
432 to win
1st Round
Pierce: 678
Douglas: 132
Houston: 52
Sen. Pierce and Sen. Douglas are the Democratic nominees!
Douglas is more moderate than Pierce, but is chosen to balance the ticket.

With the Whigs in a dire state nationally, and a loss seemingly inevitable, no one challenges President Fillmore for the Whig nomination.
Whig National Convention — Baltimore, MD
432 to win
1st Round
Fillmore: 862
Pres. Fillmore and Gen. Winfield Scott are the Whig nominees!
After unsuccessfully attempting to field many different running mates (including the incumbent Vice President), eventually Gen. Scott emerges. Intending to retire from politics after this ill-fated campaign (likely), Scott views this as his last duty to the Whig Party.

The Free Soil Party disbands and the Liberty Party announces they will not contest the Presidency, wishing to focus on Congressional and state level races, instead.

United States Presidential Election, 1852

A Democratic landslide ensues. Fillmore wins VT with 58% of the vote and only takes KY by a few points.

United States Senate Election, 1852
36-20 Democratic Majority (Democratic-Whig)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1852
158-71-4 Democratic Majority (Democratic-Whig-Liberty)
The Liberty Party suffers huge losses, as do the Whigs, due to a large crossover of Whigs to Pierce (some of which didn't vote for Whigs downballot, or voted straight Democratic to give Pierce help in Congress). Many Whigs don't turnout and as a result don't choose Whigs and Liberty candidates downballot. Radicals and abolitionists protest state capitals, instead of voting, on Election Day.

*Clarification: Until 1850, I had listed the Congressional listings with the election year, this represents the House and Senate that were elected that year, not the Congressional makeup that sat in Congress that year.

[West_Midlander]

United States Senate Election, 1854
34-14-4-2 Democratic Majority (Democratic-Whig-Republican-Liberty)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1854
83-54-51-46 Democratic + Know Nothing Majority (Democratic-Whig-Know Nothing-Republican)
The House elects a Democratic Speaker and a Know Nothing Deputy Speaker.

Franklin Pierce finishes his first term popular due to Congress being on his side for his whole tenure. He decides to run again. Sen. Jefferson Davis announces a run for the nomination, decrying Pierce as "too moderate" and attacks him for choosing moderate, Douglas, as his running mate.
Democratic National Convention — St. Louis, MO
432 to win
1st Round
Pierce: 574
Davis: 288
Pres. Franklin Pierce and VP Stephen A. Douglas are the Democratic nominees!

The Whig Party dissolves. McLean takes another chance at the presidency. Fmr. Sen and explorer John C. Fremont enters the race. Abraham Lincoln, famous orator and Fmr. US Rep. enters the race, as does William Seward.
Republican National Convention — Philadelphia, PA
432 to win
1st Round
Fremont: 194
McLean: 189
Seward: 166
Lincoln: 85
2nd Round
McLean: 274
Fremont: 194
Seward: 166
3rd Round
McLean: 440
Fremont: 194
Associate Supreme Court Justice John McLean is the Republican nominee for President! Fmr. Sen. William L. Dayton is his running mate.
The Republicans narrowly decide on a moderate stance. Fremont and Lincoln don't end up on either end of the ticket.

Fmr. Pres. Millard Fillmore declines to run on the Know-Nothing Party ticket. George Law takes his place.
American Party Convention — Philadelphia, PA
432 to win
1st Round
Law: 862
Mr. George Law and Fmr. Amb. Andrew Jackson Donelson are the American Party nominees!

The Liberty Party decides to nominate a candidate for President, given the Republicans' moderate stance (very similar to VP Stephen A. Douglas' stance).
Liberty Party Convention — Brooklyn, NY
432 to win
1st Round
Smith: 862
Fmr. Rep. Gerrit Smith (Civil Rights Activist) and Mr. Samuel McFarland are the Liberty party nominees!

United States Presidential Election, 1856

Significant states:
Dems win CA by 20%
KY, MO, MS: Dems only beat American by ~4% or less
IN is D+6, PA is D+7, NJ is D+10
Most Republican states are safe except CT is R+6 and NH is R+3

The Know Nothings hold the balance of power. Pierce is elected by the House, under a secret agreement that the new elected Speaker of the House would be the Know Nothing House leader.

The Senate elects Douglas.

United States Senate Election, 1856
25-23-6 Republican Plurality (Republican-Democratic-Know Nothing)
Republican lead the Senate by +2, but due to organization of Democrats & American Partiers, the Republicans struggle to get things done.
United States House of Representatives Election, 1856
97-90-45-5  Democratic + Know Nothing Majority (Democratic-Republican-Know Nothing-Liberty)
The House elects a Know Nothing Speaker and a Democratic Deputy Speaker.

[West_Midlander]

Pres. Pierce decides against running for a second term. James Buchanan emerges onto the Democratic field, which clears for him, once he announces. On the advice of Buchanan, the DNC switches to a one state — one delegate, nomination model, to appease states' righters.
Democratic National Convention 1860 — Baltimore, MD
17 to win
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 33
Buchanan & Fmr. Rep. Alexander H. Stephens (RL Confederate VP) are the Democratic nominees!
As North — South division grows, Buchanan takes an unexpected turn. He proclaims the Missouri Compromise, saying his administration would set New Mexico, Arizona, and Baja California to be admitted as slave states and for Southern California to hold a referendum on slavery (abating the concerns of the South and nullifying the Compromise of 1850).

[West_Midlander]

The Republicans are subject to a large field of candidates, from radicals to centrists to conservatives.
Lincoln becomes the frontrunner until the apparent frontrunner in 1856, John C. Fremont, announces another run for the Presidency.
*Note: Fremont narrowly led the party field, then lost at the convention.
Republican National Convention 1860 — Chicago, IL
355 to win
1st Round
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 206
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 166
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Gov. Salmon P. Chase: 74
Fmr. Rep. Edward Bates: 72
Sen. Charles Sumner: 66
Sen. Benjamin Wade: 44
Fmr. Sen. William L. Dayton: 4
2nd Round
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 206
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 166
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Gov. Salmon P. Chase: 74
Fmr. Rep. Edward Bates: 72
Sen. Charles Sumner: 70
Sen. Benjamin Wade: 44
3rd Round
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 210
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 206
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Gov. Salmon P. Chase: 74
Fmr. Rep. Edward Bates: 72
Sen. Charles Sumner: 70
4th Round
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 280
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 206
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Gov. Salmon P. Chase: 74
Fmr. Rep. Edward Bates: 72
5th Round
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 280
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 278
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Gov. Salmon P. Chase: 74
6th Round
Fmr. Rep. Abraham Lincoln: 356
Fmr. Sen. John C. Fremont: 278
Sen. Simon Cameron: 76
Abraham Lincoln and John C. Fremont are the Republican nominees for President and Vice President!

[West_Midlander]

The Northern Democrats decide to hold a Convention to nominate a less conservative nominee as opposed to Buchanan.
The moderate Vice President Douglas, leads the field. President Pierce and the liberal Governor of New York, Horatio Seymor, enter the race. Many others flood into the field, as does Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan, with the intent of winning the regionalist, Northern Democratic nomination, then running on his unified Democratic ticket to hold the party together.
Northern Democratic Convention — Cincinnati, OH
377 to win
1st Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 112
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 90
Sen. Joseph Lane: 84
Sec. James Guthrie: 54
Sen. Robert M. T. Hunter: 24
Sen. Andrew Johnson: 24
Fmr. Sen. Daniel S. Dickinson: 11
Pres. Franklin Pierce: 8
Abstain: 99
Chair: The President is hereby eliminat—
Vice Chair: Objection! The President wishes to speak!
Chair (agitated): Very well.
Pierce: Thank you Mr. Chair, Mr. Vice Chair. As leader of the Party, I'm motioning to assume the Office of Chair of the Party!
*The Chair attempts to object*
Vice Chair: Order! I'm sec—
*Buchanan attempts to point out that Franklin Pierce, as incumbent President, is de-facto leader of the Democratic Party, not the so-called, "Northern Democratic Party"*
Vice Chair: Order, Order! I will have Order! I'm seconding the President's motion. The motion goes into effect. Congratulations, Mr. Franklin Pierce, our new Chair!
Pierce (Chair): Thank you, Mr. Vice Chair! Hereby calling for a second vote! All abstaining delegates must exit the Convention Hall or vote for a candidate!
2nd Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 129
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 125
Sen. Joseph Lane: 84
Sec. James Guthrie: 54
Pres. Franklin Pierce: 48
Sen. Robert M. T. Hunter: 24
Sen. Andrew Johnson: 24
Fmr. Sen. Daniel S. Dickinson: 13
Absent (Left the Convention Hall): 5
An agreement is made between Pierce and Dickinson. This is put into a contract, after Dickinson's insistence. Dickinson will be nominated as Pierce's Treasury Secretary if he wins in 1860.
Pierce: As Chair, I hereby replace the five absent delegates. (Replacement delegates are pro-Pierce)
3rd Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 129
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 125
Sen. Joseph Lane: 84
Pres. Franklin Pierce: 65
Sec. James Guthrie: 54
Sen. Robert M. T. Hunter: 24
Sen. Andrew Johnson: 24
Andrew Johnson is promised to be Secretary of the Navy should Pierce be elected.
He endorses Buchanan. Hunter is made the same offer, he turns it down and backs Buchanan as well.
4th Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 177
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 125
Sen. Joseph Lane: 84
Pres. Franklin Pierce: 65
Sec. James Guthrie: 54
5th Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 231
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 125
Sen. Joseph Lane: 84
Pres. Franklin Pierce: 65
6th Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 246
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 231
Sen. Joseph Lane: 149
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour: 125
7th Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 371
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 231
Sen. Joseph Lane: 149
8th Round
VP Stephen A. Douglas: 393
Fmr. Amb. James Buchanan: 302
Abstain: 56
Stephen A. Douglas is the Northern Democratic nominee. He chooses Horatio Seymour as his running mate.

[West_Midlander]

Dickinson attempts to contest the Southern Democratic nomination. Breckenridge also runs for the nomination.
Southern Democratic Convention — Charleston, SC
826 to win
Sen. John C. Breckenridge: 1006
Fmr. Sen. Daniel S. Dickinson: 644
Breckenridge is the Southern Democratic nominee. Joseph Lane is his running mate.

[West_Midlander]

The Constitutional Union forms as a moderate alternative, under the assumption that the Northern and Southern Democratic factions wouldn't last to Election Day. (When the CU nominee discovers otherwise, he continues running to the best of his ability).
Constitutional Union Convention — St. Louis, MO
826 to win
1st Round
Fmr. Sen. John Bell: 748
Gov. Sam Houston: 615
Fmr. Sen. Edward Everett: 140
Sen John J. Crittenden: 96
Assoc. Justice John McLean: 51
2nd Round
Fmr. Sen. John Bell: 750
Gov. Sam Houston: 664
Fmr. Sen. Edward Everett: 140
Sen John J. Crittenden: 96
3rd Round
Gov. Sam Houston: 760
Fmr. Sen. John Bell: 750
Fmr. Sen. Edward Everett: 140
4th Round
Gov. Sam Houston: 900
Fmr. Sen. John Bell: 750
Sam Houston is the Constitutional Union nominee. Edward Everett is his running mate.

[West_Midlander]

For the record:

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The Liberty Party decides to throw its support behind Lincoln. The party disbands.
United States Presidential Election, 1860


Significant Results:
All Lincoln states are by considerable to landslide margins except Delaware (R+1).
Buchanan beats Houston in MO by a few points.
Buchanan wins AL by +0.6
Breckenridge's states are all by large margins except AR (SoDem+1.9)
Houston makes a pitiful showing in TX, coming in third place, 28 pts behind Breckenridge and at <20% of the vote.
LA is CU+1.3
GA is CU+4
KY is CU+2.5 (Breckenridge's home state)
Houston wins TN by almost 10%
NC is CU+6
MD is CU+2.1
VA is CU+0.3

Democrats lose badly due to vote splitting. Northern and Southern Democrats are especially hard hit due to Democrats, Republicans and Constitutional Unionists narrowly beating their sparsely present candidates.
United States Senate Election, 1860
37-9-5-5-4 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Northern Democratic-Constitutional Union-Southern Democratic)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1860
108-36-30-6-3 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union-Northern Democratic-Southern Democratic)

[West_Midlander]

United States Senate Election, 1862
32-10-6 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1862
87-72-25 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union)
*Constitutional Unionists caucus with the Republicans, giving them a House majority.

National Union Party Convention — St. Louis, Missouri
As Lincoln is unopposed, the primary vote is called off.
President Lincoln is chosen as the nominee by acclamation. He chooses Sen. Andrew Johnson as his running mate.

Pro-war, Gen. George McClellan runs for the nomination. Fmr. Gov. Thomas H. Seymour, a Copperhead (Peace) Democrat, runs as well.
Seymour does much better than expected, finishing with big momentum and leading the field in the popular vote (but not delegates) 51.4% to 48.6%. McClellan's support stands in place just long enough for him to be narrowly nominated. He loses massive support following that, especially due to turning down Seymour to be his running mate.
Democratic National Convention — St. Louis, Missouri
366 to win
McClellan: 392
Seymour: 338
McClellan is nominated. He chooses Rep. George H. Pendleton as his running mate.

United States Presidential Election, 1864

The whole Union except Kentucky goes red in a landslide. Kentucky goes blue by a huge 60-40% margin.

Abraham Lincoln appoints Vice President John C. Fremont as Secretary of State, for him to tolerate the demotion from being running mate.

United States Senate Election, 1864
33-9-6 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1864
137-38-18 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union)

[West_Midlander]

Radical Republican, Thaddeus Stevens is elected Speaker of the House of Representatives, following the 1864 elections.

1865
The plot to kill Lincoln, Johnson and the SoS (Seward in OTL, Fremont ITTL) goes successfully.

John C. Fremont falls to an assassin's knife at his residence, while recovering from a carriage accident. The Secretary of State dies due to blood loss shortly after the attack. One of the Secretary's guards kills the assassin at Fremont's bedside. When a doctor arrives, Fremont is pronounced dead.

Abraham Lincoln is shot and falls into a coma. He dies the following morning.

Andrew Johnson is shot on the same night as Lincoln. He is shot at close range and dies instantly.

Lincoln's and Johnson's assassins are caught and executed.

Speaker of the House, Thaddeus Stevens is sworn in as President of the United States. Charles Sumner is sworn in as Vice President (chosen by Stevens).

President Stevens nominates Seward to be Secretary of State.

[West_Midlander]

With the war over and huge majorities in Congress, President Thaddeus Stevens begin to enact a radical Reconstruction.

United States Senate Election, 1866
57-9 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1866
171-67-5 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Conservative)

Stevens is able to continue with his agenda, given a friendly Congress being elected in 1866.

[West_Midlander]

Grant emerges onto the field, offering a uniting moderate and Civil War war hero to lead the nation.

He garners an enormous lead, even after President Stevens announces his intention to run for another term.

James G. Blaine emerges as a minority factor in the race, the deciding factor, it so happened, representing moderate Republicans who fled Grant's scandal-ridden camp. Grant's scandals were eventually his downfall as Stevens pulled out a small lead in the few weeks before the primary vote and convention. Sen. Sherman joins the field late in the race but fails to win any delegates.
Republican National Convention — Philadelphia, PA
436 to win
1st Round
Thaddeus Stevens: 420
Ulysses S. Grant: 408
James G. Blaine: 42
Sen. John Sherman (brother of General Sherman): 0
2nd Round
Thaddeus Stevens: 462
Ulysses S. Grant: 408
President Thaddeus Stevens and Vice President Charles Sumner are nominated!
Primary vote
Stevens: 56%
Grant: 32.4%
Blaine: 6.9%
Sherman: 4.8%

[West_Midlander]

DEMOCRATIC PRIMARIES, 1864
✔McCLELLAN — ALABAMA — 24 DELEGATES
✔SEYMOUR — ARKANSAS — 18 DELEGATES
✔FIELD — CALIFORNIA — 26 DELEGATES
✔ENGLISH — CONNECTICUT — 14 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — DELAWARE — 6 DELEGATES
✔JOHNSON — FLORIDA — 12 DELEGATES
✔McCLELLAN — GEORGIA — 28 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — ILLINOIS — 58 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — INDIANA — 30 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — IOWA — 26 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — KANSAS — 20 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — KENTUCKY — 26 DELEGATES
✔HANCOCK — LOUISIANA — 20 DELEGATES
✔HANCOCK — MAINE — 12 DELEGATES
✔JOHNSON — MARYLAND — 16 DELEGATES
✔ADAMS II — MASSACHUSETTS — 36 DELEGATES
✔DOOLITTLE — MICHIGAN — 30 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — MINNESOTA — 24 DELEGATES
✔SEYMOUR — MISSOURI — 36 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — NEBRASKA — 16 DELEGATES
✔HENDRICKS — NEVADA — 6 DELEGATES
✔HANCOCK — NEW HAMPSHIRE — 8 DELEGATES
✔PARKER — NEW JERSEY — 28 DELEGATES
✔CHURCH — NEW YORK — 90 DELEGATES
✔SEYMOUR — NORTH CAROLINA — 24 DELEGATES
✔PENDLETON — OHIO — 48 DELEGATES
✔FIELD — OREGON — 10 DELEGATES
✔PACKER — PENNSYLVANIA — 76 DELEGATES
✔ENGLISH — RHODE ISLAND — 10 DELEGATES
✔SEYMOUR — SOUTH CAROLINA — 18 DELEGATES
✔SEYMOUR — TENNESSEE — 24 DELEGATES
✔ENGLISH — VERMONT — 8 DELEGATES
✔McCLELLAN — WEST  VIRGINIA — 16 DELEGATES
✔DOOLITTLE — WISCONSIN — 26 DELEGATES

[West_Midlander]

The huge Democratic field is headed by Seymour with 14.6% of the total vote. Pendleton comes in second place with 11.6% and McClellan stand at 11.4%. The rest of the field is way behind with Church at 7.3% and the other candidates behind him.

Despite a considerable gap in the vote between himself and Seymour, Pendleton enters the convention with the most delegates, more than 1/2 of those needed to win (58.3% of delegates to win).
Democratic National Convention — Chicago, IL
1st Round
Fmr. Rep. George H. Pendleton: 254
Fmr. Gov. Horatio Seymour (reluctantly joins the field after calls from Northern Democrats): 120
Mr. Sanford Church (local NY politician): 90
Fmr. Rep. Asa Packer: 76
Gen. George B. McClellan: 68
Sen. James Doolittle: 56
Gen. Winfield Scott Hancock: 40
Assoc. Justice Steven J. Field: 36
Mr. John Quincy Adams II (grandson of John Quincy Adams, great grandson of John Adams): 36
Gov. James English: 32
Fmr. Gov. Joel Parker: 28
Sen. Reverdy Johnson: 28
Sen. Thomas A. Hendricks: 6
Fmr. Rep. Francis P. Blair, Jr: 0
2nd Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 120
Church: 90
Packer: 76
McClellan: 68
Doolittle: 56
Adams II: 42
Hancock: 40
Field: 36
English: 32
Parker: 28
Johnson: 28
3rd Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 120
Church: 118
Doolittle: 84
Packer: 76
McClellan: 68
Adams II: 42
Hancock: 40
Field: 36
English: 32
4th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 120
Church: 118
Doolittle: 84
Packer: 76
Adams II: 74
McClellan: 68
Hancock: 40
Field: 36
5th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 156
Church: 118
Doolittle: 84
Packer: 76
Adams II: 74
McClellan: 68
Hancock: 40
6th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 156
Church: 118
Adams II: 114
Doolittle: 84
Packer: 76
McClellan: 68
7th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 156
Packer: 144
Church: 118
Adams II: 114
Doolittle: 84
8th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 240
Packer: 144
Church: 118
Adams II: 114
9th Round
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 240
Church: 232
Packer: 144
10th Round
Church: 376
Pendleton: 254
Seymour: 240
11th Round
Church: 616
Pendleton: 254
Church is chosen as the Democratic nominee on the 11th ballot! Church chooses Seymour as his Vice Presidential candidate!

[West_Midlander]

The Constitutional Unionists asemble in Baltimore, MD to make another run at the presidency. Fmr. Pres. Millard Fillmore comes out of retirement and Fmr. Sen. John Bell is his running mate.

United States Presidential Election, 1868

Fielding a double-Northern, double-New York ticket headed by a local perennial candidate proved highly unsuccessful for the Democratic Party.

United States Senate Election, 1868
56-10 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1868
131-107-5 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic-Constitutional Union)

[West_Midlander]

(IRL Thaddeus Stevens died on August 11, 1868)
March 30, 1869: President Thaddeus Stevens dies. He survive longer than in OTL due to a lack of stress from pursuing Johnson's impeachment IRL.

Vice President Charles Sumner is sworn in as President of the United States.

"I, Charles Sumner, do solemnly affirm that I will faithfully execute the Office of President of the United States, and will to the best of my ability, preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States. So help me God."

Sumner chooses moderate Speaker of the House, James G. Blaine as his Vice President.

"I, James Gillespie Blaine, do solemnly swear that I will support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic; that I will bear true faith and allegiance to the same; that I take this obligation freely, without any mental reservation or purpose of evasion; and that I will well and faithfully discharge the duties of the office on which I am about to enter. So help me God."

[West_Midlander]

President Sumner runs for re-election but faces many challengers for the nomination.
Republican National Convention — St. Louis, MO
478 to win
1st Ballot
Hayes: 266
Ames: 252
Sherman: 176
Palmer: 156
Sumner: 80
Burnsides: 24
Gen. Ambrose Burnsides is eliminated.
2nd Ballot
Hayes: 266
Ames: 252
Sherman: 200
Palmer: 156
Sumner: 80
President Sumner is eliminated.
3rd Ballot
Hayes: 346
Ames: 252
Sherman: 200
Palmer: 156
Gov. John M. Palmer is eliminated.
4th Ballot
Sherman: 356
Hayes: 346
Ames: 252
Sen. Adelbert Ames is eliminated.
5th Ballot
✔ Sherman: 608
Hayes: 346
Speaker of the House, Rutherford B. Hayes, is eliminated. Sen. John Sherman is the Republican nominee for President. He selects Hayes as his running mate.

[West_Midlander]

Bourbon Democrat Convention — New York City, NY
926 to win
✔ O'Conor: 1200
Tilden: 650
Mr. Charles O'Conor is the nominee. Mr. Samuel J. Tilden is his vice presidential nominee.

Equal Rights Party Convention — New York City, NY
Woodhull: unopposed
Victoria Woodhull is unanimously chosen for the Equal Rights Party ticket. Frederick Douglass is her running mate.
Having lost the Republican nomination, President Charles Sumner invites the ticket to the White House and endorses them.

Liberal Republican Convention — Philadelphia, PA
Greeley stand at four delegates short of a majority (474/478). Chase (48 delegates) endorses Greeley. Trumbull drops out before the convention.
Fmr. Rep. Horace Greeley is unanimously nominated. Chief Justice Salmon P. Chase is his running mate.

Democratic National Convention — Cincinnati, OH
478 to win
1st Ballot
Sen. Thomas F. Bayard: 268
Rep. Francis P. Blair, Jr: 250
Rep. George H. Pendleton: 216
Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks: 178
Assoc. Justice Stephen J. Field: 42
2nd Ballot
Bayard: 268
Pendleton: 258
Blair, Jr: 250
Hendricks: 178
3rd Ballot
Pendleton: 436
Bayard: 268
Blair, Jr: 146
Abstain: 104
Blair, Jr: Motion to suspend the rules in order to exempt abstentions from the vote count.
Chair: Seconded. Let's proceed with a vote of acclamation. All in favor say Aye.
AYE!
Chair: All against, say Nay.
nay!
Chair: The ayes have it, the motion has it. A majority is now 426 delegates, Rep. George H. Pendleton is the Democratic nominee for President! Mr. Pendleton has announced that his running mate will be Gov. Thomas A. Hendricks!

The Prohibition Party convenes in San Francisco, CA. They unanimously nominate Mr. James Black and Rev. John Mitchell.

[West_Midlander]

United States Senate Election, 1870
42-24 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1870
126-117 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)

The Liberal Republicans do their best in the Midwest (+MO). The Republicans do their best in the Northeast, KS, NE, IL and MS. North Carolina narrowly goes Democratic. The Equal Rights party racks up a considerable 5% of the vote.


To appease those to his left, Sherman appoints Victoria Woodhull and Frederick Douglass to be advisors to the President (himself). Horace Greeley is nominated to be the Secretary of the Interior.

United States Senate Election, 1872
49-25 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)
United States House of Representatives Election, 1872
132-111 Republican Majority (Republican-Democratic)