Would it hurt to have America take Alaska like OTL? I'll even tolerate it having a substantial Russian minority 🙏🙏🙏
Triple Calamity: What if the Three Most Important Men in the Executive Branch Died in One Night?
- Thread starter Mr.Q
- Start date
Nonsense. It belongs to the soon to be created British Kingdom of Canada...
I'll allow for an independent Alaska....but the US has to annex Canada in compensation, this is as far as I'll go.
Chapter 16: The Halls of Power
"Three factions of equal strength. A nation bitterly divided. Gentlemen. I see no possible outcome in which this damned election doesn't reach the house!"
-Representative Billini of Santo Domingo (L), translated from spanish.
"Many feel bad for the Republican Party. After facing rebellion they were still yet to face any sort of order. The 1880 RNC held in Chicago was just another story of chaos. When the good delegates first arrived in the city most believed that either Vice President Hayes or Former President Grant would secure the nomination. Grant had been corralled after his world tour, ushered back into the spotlight by many Republicans, seeing him as hope for unity. However the Republican Party Grant left in 1873 was very different a mere seven years later. Grant was remembered fondly by the people but not by the moderates, the homers and the half breeds. So much had happened since his administration that many politicians saw him as unfit for a third term. Not to mention the breaking of tradition. Hayes however faced his own issues. Hayes was the face of the dreaded coalition with the Liberals. He was a compromise back in 76'. He had been a compromise for the past four years, why compromise again?
All of this meant that there was an opportunity, perhaps a very ripe opportunity for a dark horse to show up. Someone to sweep the convention off their feet! But who? After the first ballot, former nominee James Blaine put on a strong showing, still plagued by the Fisher Letters however, Blaine was seen as unsavory. The other two men of note after the first ballot were one Thomas Settle, a judge from North Carolina that many 'Homers' flocked towards and General Phillip Sheridan. A close friend of former President Grant who wasn't present at the convention. He was simply a Grant alternative for moderates.
Ballot 1-8 showed very little change, the only thing of note was the implosion of Blaine's camp which turned to Grant, Sheridan, and Hayes evenly. However it was on this eighth ballot that something changed. A group of Homers strolled over to the Stalwarts prior to ballot eight. After a quick discussion, Roscoe Conkling (Infamous leader of the Stalwarts) went from three votes to eleven. It's believed that the Homers, understanding they didn't have enough party support for an outright majority, saw Conkling as the best opportunity. (Conkling himself saw the chance and fed into this). A corrupt bargain had just taken place. Over the next few ballots as Conkling grew slowly as Hayes steadily saw his numbers fall. Grantite men were pressuring Hayes' boys into flipping in hopes of killing the deadlock. This was a slow process... until ballot 13.
Conkling breached the 100 mark. At this moment the Radicals, (few remaining Half breeds that didn't jump to the Liberals) and Mugwumps collectively shat themselves. Hayes' numbers took a nosedive as Grant ballooned faster than Conkling. By ballot 16 Grant stood at 379 votes. One away from a majority. It's at this pivotal moment that many in the hall realized Grant would win and so prepared to change their votes. No one knows what really happened next. Grant apparently stared at the hall from a balcony and whispered to his aide that he wanted to speak. Perhaps the talk of his lack of political knowledge or breaking of tradition got to him, perhaps he was tired, maybe he had lost hope for the nation. Whatever he decided, Grant marched to the front and said this.
"My friends. Please I urge you calm. I have an announcement. I shall not accept the Republican nomination for the presidency. My humble endorsement goes to the supporters of General Sheridan..."
Chaos broke out. Grant couldn't even finish. Sheridan's support had collapsed by ballot 17, his supporters had made a deal with Conkling. Hell the man wasn't even there. (Though he was being informed via telegram.) Either way the chaos led to a ballot 17 where the Sheridan camp was back, Hayes was stealing Grant's votes and Conkling was now the frontrunner. The next three ballots saw extensive courting and smoke filled rooms. On ballot 20 Roscoe Conking gained just enough delegates, denying Vice President Hayes the nomination. After a few more promises to the Homers (including an end to occupation of the south) Phillip Sheridan was nominated for Vice President in a far less climatic three ballots. Sheridan was in New York at the time.
Republican Ticket
Roscoe Conkling for President
Phillip Sheridan for Vice President
The Democratic National Convention held in Petersburg was a very short affair, yet it was still very interesting. In 1872 Winfield Scott Hancock ran a respectable campaign against the Republicans and President Seward. Back then, Hancock knew he wouldn't win. However in 1880 the man who was usually unenthusiastic about running for the Presidency, was all about it! He was itching to gain the nomination, personally whipping votes on the convention floor. The only two opponents that really mattered were Samuel Tilden, the nearly president of four years prior who said before the convention that he was not seeking the nomination due to his health and George B. McClellan. The man who in 1864 got trounced by Lincoln. In the years since he had become a senator from New Jersey and gained fame for his brash attacks on the Liberal-Republican coalition. He came to Petersburg hoping to win the Presidential nomination.
After one ballot and promises of the Vice Presidency McClellan's, support totally collapsed. Much to his dismay. He angrily expressed that he was not fit for some useless position like Vice President! Hancock and much of the party disagreed however. A ticket of two famed Union generals would deflect the bloody rag and any question that the Democrats were the party of redeemers.
Come time for the VP balloting many in the party wanted a politician in the second spot. A man like Thomas Bayard. There was also a steadfast contingent of delegates who voted for General George Armstrong Custer. Custer was also in the hall, he was only there to secure the second spot hoping to start his career in politics. Famously George McClellan endorsed him in hopes of not being nominated. While Custer was ultimately not nominated as VP, his respectable showing would make his name recognizable among party brass.
Democratic Ticket
Winfield Scott Hancock for President
George B. McClellan for Vice President
There were lot's of expectations going into the 1880 LNC held in Concord. President Adams opened up the convention with a speech about the Liberal mission and asked for calm and civility. That was granted. The delegates were polite and calm. A stark contrast to the Republican convention held a month prior. This was a mission to find a new torch bearer, one to be treated with respect and dignity. On the first ballot many different Liberal factions came from the woodwork. Among he main contenders were The southern minded Liberals now calling themselves "Cotton Libs" rallied around Benjamin Gratz Brown of Missouri. Like the Homers in the Republican Party however, Mr. Brown and his Cotton boys had themselves a celling. There was General John Palmer, a famed war hero! Yet an aging one, there was Governor Andrew Curtin who had been seeking the presidency for some time now. Yet his connections to the Democrats were a drag and then there was David Davis, a Supreme Court Justice known for his independent thought. Davis' main issue came with the fact that he didn't want to be president sending many telegrams to Concord requesting that he not be nominated.
By the third ballot it was clear that a consensus was far from being found. It was at this moment that a compromise rose from the debates. Cassius Marcellus Clay was a General and a well known Liberal congressman from Kentucky. He appealed to every faction. A moderate, a war hero, a close friend of President Adams and a young man. After ballot four with steam gathering and wind in his sails, President Adams (Who was presiding over the convention) endorsed Clay. Soon after the nomination became a breeze. The Palmer votes switched particularly fast, happy to get a general as the nominee.
Selected as Clay's Vice President was George W. Julian, a former Radical Republican, now radical reformer. After promising to moderate some of his rhetoric the more progressive minded liberals were happy to flock to him as were the Clay supporters. "
Liberal Ticket
Cassius Marcellus Clay for President
George Washington Julian for Vice President
-From Every National Convention in American History
by Jacob Cohen, published 2012
-Representative Billini of Santo Domingo (L), translated from spanish.
| Presidential Balloting | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 |
| R. Conkling | 2 | 2 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 11 | 18 |
| U. Grant | 233 | 237 | 238 | 239 | 260 | 261 | 267 | 267 | 271 |
| R. Hayes | 221 | 221 | 221 | 215 | 234 | 234 | 234 | 234 | 230 |
| J. Blaine | 54 | 52 | 51 | 57 | 14 | 14 | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| P. Sheridan | 28 | 42 | 44 | 59 | 62 | 64 | 70 | 71 | 73 |
| T. Settle | 119 | 120 | 120 | 163 | 174 | 174 | 180 | 177 | 170 |
| Others | 103 | 86 | 86 | 28 | 14 | 12 | 6 | 1 | 0 |
| 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 |
| 19 | 19 | 62 | 117 | 166 | 242 | 263 | 296 | 346 | 369 |
| 292 | 292 | 301 | 310 | 351 | 376 | 379 | 289 | 201 | 119 |
| 208 | 208 | 188 | 153 | 106 | 53 | 50 | 66 | 154 | 236 |
| 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 |
| 74 | 74 | 74 | 74 | 21 | 0 | 0 | 74 | 23 | 1 |
| 169 | 169 | 132 | 101 | 96 | 42 | 20 | 0 | 12 | 21 |
| 0 | 0 | 5 | 11 | 17 | 45 | 46 | 33 | 19 | 10 |
| 20 | Vice Presidential Ballot | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 381 | P. Sheridan | 322 | 348 | 427 |
| 43 | J. Garfield | 231 | 232 | 232 |
| 314 | J. Alcorn | 207 | 180 | 101 |
| 0 | ||||
| 0 | ||||
| 11 | ||||
| 8 |
"Many feel bad for the Republican Party. After facing rebellion they were still yet to face any sort of order. The 1880 RNC held in Chicago was just another story of chaos. When the good delegates first arrived in the city most believed that either Vice President Hayes or Former President Grant would secure the nomination. Grant had been corralled after his world tour, ushered back into the spotlight by many Republicans, seeing him as hope for unity. However the Republican Party Grant left in 1873 was very different a mere seven years later. Grant was remembered fondly by the people but not by the moderates, the homers and the half breeds. So much had happened since his administration that many politicians saw him as unfit for a third term. Not to mention the breaking of tradition. Hayes however faced his own issues. Hayes was the face of the dreaded coalition with the Liberals. He was a compromise back in 76'. He had been a compromise for the past four years, why compromise again?
All of this meant that there was an opportunity, perhaps a very ripe opportunity for a dark horse to show up. Someone to sweep the convention off their feet! But who? After the first ballot, former nominee James Blaine put on a strong showing, still plagued by the Fisher Letters however, Blaine was seen as unsavory. The other two men of note after the first ballot were one Thomas Settle, a judge from North Carolina that many 'Homers' flocked towards and General Phillip Sheridan. A close friend of former President Grant who wasn't present at the convention. He was simply a Grant alternative for moderates.
Ballot 1-8 showed very little change, the only thing of note was the implosion of Blaine's camp which turned to Grant, Sheridan, and Hayes evenly. However it was on this eighth ballot that something changed. A group of Homers strolled over to the Stalwarts prior to ballot eight. After a quick discussion, Roscoe Conkling (Infamous leader of the Stalwarts) went from three votes to eleven. It's believed that the Homers, understanding they didn't have enough party support for an outright majority, saw Conkling as the best opportunity. (Conkling himself saw the chance and fed into this). A corrupt bargain had just taken place. Over the next few ballots as Conkling grew slowly as Hayes steadily saw his numbers fall. Grantite men were pressuring Hayes' boys into flipping in hopes of killing the deadlock. This was a slow process... until ballot 13.
Conkling breached the 100 mark. At this moment the Radicals, (few remaining Half breeds that didn't jump to the Liberals) and Mugwumps collectively shat themselves. Hayes' numbers took a nosedive as Grant ballooned faster than Conkling. By ballot 16 Grant stood at 379 votes. One away from a majority. It's at this pivotal moment that many in the hall realized Grant would win and so prepared to change their votes. No one knows what really happened next. Grant apparently stared at the hall from a balcony and whispered to his aide that he wanted to speak. Perhaps the talk of his lack of political knowledge or breaking of tradition got to him, perhaps he was tired, maybe he had lost hope for the nation. Whatever he decided, Grant marched to the front and said this.
"My friends. Please I urge you calm. I have an announcement. I shall not accept the Republican nomination for the presidency. My humble endorsement goes to the supporters of General Sheridan..."
Chaos broke out. Grant couldn't even finish. Sheridan's support had collapsed by ballot 17, his supporters had made a deal with Conkling. Hell the man wasn't even there. (Though he was being informed via telegram.) Either way the chaos led to a ballot 17 where the Sheridan camp was back, Hayes was stealing Grant's votes and Conkling was now the frontrunner. The next three ballots saw extensive courting and smoke filled rooms. On ballot 20 Roscoe Conking gained just enough delegates, denying Vice President Hayes the nomination. After a few more promises to the Homers (including an end to occupation of the south) Phillip Sheridan was nominated for Vice President in a far less climatic three ballots. Sheridan was in New York at the time.
Republican Ticket
Roscoe Conkling for President
Phillip Sheridan for Vice President
| Presidential Ballots | 1 | 2 | Vice Presidential Ballots | 1 | 2 |
| WS. Hancock | 344 | 584 | G. McClellan | 289 | 479 |
| G. McClellan | 286 | 101 | T. Bayard/others | 288 | 98 |
| S. Tilden/others | 110 | 55 | GA. Custer | 163 | 163 |
The Democratic National Convention held in Petersburg was a very short affair, yet it was still very interesting. In 1872 Winfield Scott Hancock ran a respectable campaign against the Republicans and President Seward. Back then, Hancock knew he wouldn't win. However in 1880 the man who was usually unenthusiastic about running for the Presidency, was all about it! He was itching to gain the nomination, personally whipping votes on the convention floor. The only two opponents that really mattered were Samuel Tilden, the nearly president of four years prior who said before the convention that he was not seeking the nomination due to his health and George B. McClellan. The man who in 1864 got trounced by Lincoln. In the years since he had become a senator from New Jersey and gained fame for his brash attacks on the Liberal-Republican coalition. He came to Petersburg hoping to win the Presidential nomination.
After one ballot and promises of the Vice Presidency McClellan's, support totally collapsed. Much to his dismay. He angrily expressed that he was not fit for some useless position like Vice President! Hancock and much of the party disagreed however. A ticket of two famed Union generals would deflect the bloody rag and any question that the Democrats were the party of redeemers.
Come time for the VP balloting many in the party wanted a politician in the second spot. A man like Thomas Bayard. There was also a steadfast contingent of delegates who voted for General George Armstrong Custer. Custer was also in the hall, he was only there to secure the second spot hoping to start his career in politics. Famously George McClellan endorsed him in hopes of not being nominated. While Custer was ultimately not nominated as VP, his respectable showing would make his name recognizable among party brass.
Democratic Ticket
Winfield Scott Hancock for President
George B. McClellan for Vice President
| Presidential Ballots | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | Vice Presidential Ballot | 1 |
| CM. Clay | 23 | 21 | 21 | 122 | 231 | 241 | 397 | G. Julian | 499 |
| BG. Brown | 232 | 244 | 244 | 244 | 231 | 230 | 163 | J. Cox | 251 |
| J. Palmer | 111 | 118 | 118 | 99 | 27 | 28 | 8 | ||
| A. Curtin | 191 | 162 | 161 | 160 | 154 | 143 | 121 | ||
| D. Davis | 65 | 97 | 102 | 55 | 54 | 54 | 26 | ||
| J. Sherman/ Others | 118 | 108 | 103 | 48 | 31 | 30 | 11 |
There were lot's of expectations going into the 1880 LNC held in Concord. President Adams opened up the convention with a speech about the Liberal mission and asked for calm and civility. That was granted. The delegates were polite and calm. A stark contrast to the Republican convention held a month prior. This was a mission to find a new torch bearer, one to be treated with respect and dignity. On the first ballot many different Liberal factions came from the woodwork. Among he main contenders were The southern minded Liberals now calling themselves "Cotton Libs" rallied around Benjamin Gratz Brown of Missouri. Like the Homers in the Republican Party however, Mr. Brown and his Cotton boys had themselves a celling. There was General John Palmer, a famed war hero! Yet an aging one, there was Governor Andrew Curtin who had been seeking the presidency for some time now. Yet his connections to the Democrats were a drag and then there was David Davis, a Supreme Court Justice known for his independent thought. Davis' main issue came with the fact that he didn't want to be president sending many telegrams to Concord requesting that he not be nominated.
By the third ballot it was clear that a consensus was far from being found. It was at this moment that a compromise rose from the debates. Cassius Marcellus Clay was a General and a well known Liberal congressman from Kentucky. He appealed to every faction. A moderate, a war hero, a close friend of President Adams and a young man. After ballot four with steam gathering and wind in his sails, President Adams (Who was presiding over the convention) endorsed Clay. Soon after the nomination became a breeze. The Palmer votes switched particularly fast, happy to get a general as the nominee.
Selected as Clay's Vice President was George W. Julian, a former Radical Republican, now radical reformer. After promising to moderate some of his rhetoric the more progressive minded liberals were happy to flock to him as were the Clay supporters. "
Liberal Ticket
Cassius Marcellus Clay for President
George Washington Julian for Vice President
-From Every National Convention in American History
by Jacob Cohen, published 2012
-
What's up! We are back. This one took a lot of math. Expect to see the election post in a day or two (I promise). Happy to see feedback! Also yes, both McClellan and Clay are in congress ITL. They weren't in OTL.
What's up! We are back. This one took a lot of math. Expect to see the election post in a day or two (I promise). Happy to see feedback! Also yes, both McClellan and Clay are in congress ITL. They weren't in OTL.
Nice chapter, can't wait to see who gains the White House, all the contestants look to have a real shot. Keep up the good work.
Rooting for Cassius Clay on this one! We can’t be robbed of a Clay in the White House again!
It should be Homers here, right?
yeah sorry, obviously most Stalwart Radicals began flipping votes to Conkling. Homers either voted for Settle, or native sons. The moderate homers began extracting concessions from Conkling's aides and flipped votes and the mood of the convention turned.
I have a loose plan for Alaska I don’t plan on mentioning it again until the 1890s 💀. But that’s interesting maybe an early Alaskan Israel could be mentioned.
After 1880 I wanna touch on Santo Domingo and the two states in Oklahoma, how they are culturally and how they’re integrated in the US. I also will head back to South America. As many of you pointed out Brazil isn’t all too pleased with Argentina. There’s some other stuff abroad that needs to be addressed. So far, the timeline has remained mostly localized but there are some butterflies.
Also before the 1888 election I’ll give you an update on big business, monopolies and the titans.
Is there anything else you think I should place some specific emphasis on?
Also before the 1888 election I’ll give you an update on big business, monopolies and the titans.
Is there anything else you think I should place some specific emphasis on?
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Chapter 17: Liberal Revolution
"When people hear about the 1880 elections in the United States, many historians refer to it as the "Liberal Revolution". However, if you look at the Presidential election that year (Picture of the map pulls up), clearly the Liberals didn't pull off a "revolution". Well, it depends on where you look..."
-From A Grand Web a video channel in 2021
"The 1880 Presidential election was seen as an even match. All of the candidates were perceived to be in their prime, every ticket had at least one war hero on board and every policy seemed appealing to most people. Realistically neither Clay, nor Hancock or Conkling differed dramatically in policy. That's not to say they were all the same...
On the issue of reconstruction all three agreed to end the occupation of the south in 1881. Individually ideas differed. Conkling wanted to end the occupation but continue a form of economic reconstruction, by continuing to link the failed reconstruction states to Federal sanctions. Clay hoped to maintain political pressure, his views were very similar to Conkling's yet were often down played by Liberal surrogates, leading to awkward contradictions on the campaign trial. Hancock advocated for a complete restoration of states rights. As far as he saw it, it was time for the nation to heal and move on. (This was the most in tune with the people out of the three.)
On the economy, once again Clay and Conkling found themselves in agreeance on tariffs and greenbacks. That said Clay was more antagonistic towards big business in the midwest. Hancock argued for the loosening of the economy. Adams and Seward had increased regulations and tariffs for eight years at this point many were sick of this. Hancock offered them a chance to see laissez faire back in action..
The last of the major issues of the campaign was civil service reform. On this Conkling and Clay were in staunch disagreeance, unsurprisingly. Liberals hammered Republicans on years old scandals, on backroom deals and on Conkling's extremely controversial stance as a politician. Republicans hit back, yelling about the backroom deal the Liberals made with the Santo Domingo delegation in 1876. Democrats mostly ignored civil service, but had a field day with the nastiness seen from their two opponents.
The Grand Coalition that runs our Congress hates one another more than the true "opposition..."
-Senator McClellan.
The Republican's similarities with the Liberals served to hurt them nationally as vote splitting became rampant in urban areas..."
-From 1880: The Election to Change History
by Jackie Lombardo, published 2021
"The Grand Coalition between the Republicans and Liberals that had ran congress for the past four years was largely unpopular among the electorate. More specifically the Republican side of the coalition was unpopular among the electorate. Most newspapers, especially in the North and border states, had Liberal owners. A phenomena seen since Horace Greeley endorsed the idea of a third party in 1872. These papers published numerous stories about how Republican Senators and congressmen clogged up the coalition's vital work. Even President Adams spread this point of view and trashed on Vice President Hayes from time to time. The stories were entirely false. Republicans had a near supermajority in the Senate without the libs and were vital towards stability in the House. The people, didn't see it that way. Come 1880, Democrats and Liberals were itching to seize ground in congress. The LNC and DNC quietly agreed to not run against each other in many down ballot races all over the nation. Ironically the ploy to slaughter the Republican coalition in congress. Was another coalition..."
-From The Grand Coalition: The Time Congress Acted Like Parliament
by Tommy Jones, published 2024
"The Presidential Race ended in a massive win for Democrats. Polls were projecting the Hancock would win and benefit from the Liberal-Republican vote splitting. However no one expected them to one, win by this much (after all the Liberals stole from Democrats in 1876 as well) and two, not outright. The expectation was that Hancock would gain a plurality but lack a majority, then the House would either elect Clay, or deadlock leaving the nation in peril. Ironically all the nail biting fear of the coming contingent elections were for nothing. The Democrats had won outright. Now many historians will leave the explanation at that, however I believe Hancock's win is more impressive than simple vote splitting. Hancock didn't lose many voters to the Liberals, he won some partial reconstruction states and he increased turnout in strongly blue states. One of the keys to Democratic success in the Presidential race was the fact that Hancock/McClellan was just a damn good ticket. Even if Little Mac hated to be apart of it."
-From 1880: The Election to Change History
by Jackie Lombardo, published 2021
The absolute magnitude of the slaughter seen in the House and Senate was so bad for Republicans that the party began feeling major rifts. They needed a unifier and fast. With Conkling fresh off a wholloping nationally, many Republicans turned away from the Liberals (ending their coalition officially) and towards more radical strategists and wealthier businessmen..."
-From The Grand Coalition: The Time Congress Acted Like Parliament
by Tommy Jones, published 2024
-From A Grand Web a video channel in 2021
"The 1880 Presidential election was seen as an even match. All of the candidates were perceived to be in their prime, every ticket had at least one war hero on board and every policy seemed appealing to most people. Realistically neither Clay, nor Hancock or Conkling differed dramatically in policy. That's not to say they were all the same...
On the issue of reconstruction all three agreed to end the occupation of the south in 1881. Individually ideas differed. Conkling wanted to end the occupation but continue a form of economic reconstruction, by continuing to link the failed reconstruction states to Federal sanctions. Clay hoped to maintain political pressure, his views were very similar to Conkling's yet were often down played by Liberal surrogates, leading to awkward contradictions on the campaign trial. Hancock advocated for a complete restoration of states rights. As far as he saw it, it was time for the nation to heal and move on. (This was the most in tune with the people out of the three.)
On the economy, once again Clay and Conkling found themselves in agreeance on tariffs and greenbacks. That said Clay was more antagonistic towards big business in the midwest. Hancock argued for the loosening of the economy. Adams and Seward had increased regulations and tariffs for eight years at this point many were sick of this. Hancock offered them a chance to see laissez faire back in action..
The last of the major issues of the campaign was civil service reform. On this Conkling and Clay were in staunch disagreeance, unsurprisingly. Liberals hammered Republicans on years old scandals, on backroom deals and on Conkling's extremely controversial stance as a politician. Republicans hit back, yelling about the backroom deal the Liberals made with the Santo Domingo delegation in 1876. Democrats mostly ignored civil service, but had a field day with the nastiness seen from their two opponents.
The Grand Coalition that runs our Congress hates one another more than the true "opposition..."
-Senator McClellan.
The Republican's similarities with the Liberals served to hurt them nationally as vote splitting became rampant in urban areas..."
-From 1880: The Election to Change History
by Jackie Lombardo, published 2021
"The Grand Coalition between the Republicans and Liberals that had ran congress for the past four years was largely unpopular among the electorate. More specifically the Republican side of the coalition was unpopular among the electorate. Most newspapers, especially in the North and border states, had Liberal owners. A phenomena seen since Horace Greeley endorsed the idea of a third party in 1872. These papers published numerous stories about how Republican Senators and congressmen clogged up the coalition's vital work. Even President Adams spread this point of view and trashed on Vice President Hayes from time to time. The stories were entirely false. Republicans had a near supermajority in the Senate without the libs and were vital towards stability in the House. The people, didn't see it that way. Come 1880, Democrats and Liberals were itching to seize ground in congress. The LNC and DNC quietly agreed to not run against each other in many down ballot races all over the nation. Ironically the ploy to slaughter the Republican coalition in congress. Was another coalition..."
-From The Grand Coalition: The Time Congress Acted Like Parliament
by Tommy Jones, published 2024
"The Presidential Race ended in a massive win for Democrats. Polls were projecting the Hancock would win and benefit from the Liberal-Republican vote splitting. However no one expected them to one, win by this much (after all the Liberals stole from Democrats in 1876 as well) and two, not outright. The expectation was that Hancock would gain a plurality but lack a majority, then the House would either elect Clay, or deadlock leaving the nation in peril. Ironically all the nail biting fear of the coming contingent elections were for nothing. The Democrats had won outright. Now many historians will leave the explanation at that, however I believe Hancock's win is more impressive than simple vote splitting. Hancock didn't lose many voters to the Liberals, he won some partial reconstruction states and he increased turnout in strongly blue states. One of the keys to Democratic success in the Presidential race was the fact that Hancock/McClellan was just a damn good ticket. Even if Little Mac hated to be apart of it."
-From 1880: The Election to Change History
by Jackie Lombardo, published 2021
CONGRESSIONAL RESULTS
THE HOUSE: 147 Needed for Majority
Liberals: 141
Democrats: 94
Republicans: 54
Others: 5
THE SENATE: 40 Needed for Majority
Liberals: 27
Republicans: 26
Democrats: 25
"The term 'Liberal Revolution of 1880', has nothing to do with the Presidential race. (Though the fact that Clay beat Conkling in the popular vote, was impressive.) That term refers instead to the congressional elections. The Liberal-Democratic divide and conquer strategy worked like a charm. Republicans only surviving in number in the midwest. In New England, the whole south, and the whole west, Republican congressmen dropped like flies. The Liberals jumped from barley having more seats than the Republicans to securing almost a majority. In a may I remind you, THREE PARTY CONGRESS! Democrats would also increase their numbers from the 1878 midterms by 16 seats, yet that means little in comparison to the libs. Republicans also gained a beating in the Senate, losing almost every seat up for election in 1880, bar Ohio and Minnesota. Each party was now a seat from each other. The Liberals were once again the main winners. THE HOUSE: 147 Needed for Majority
Liberals: 141
Democrats: 94
Republicans: 54
Others: 5
THE SENATE: 40 Needed for Majority
Liberals: 27
Republicans: 26
Democrats: 25
The absolute magnitude of the slaughter seen in the House and Senate was so bad for Republicans that the party began feeling major rifts. They needed a unifier and fast. With Conkling fresh off a wholloping nationally, many Republicans turned away from the Liberals (ending their coalition officially) and towards more radical strategists and wealthier businessmen..."
-From The Grand Coalition: The Time Congress Acted Like Parliament
by Tommy Jones, published 2024
-
Alrighty! Please feel free to ask questions for more detailed results on specific states or congressional races. Feel free to drop feedback and feel free to drop predictions! thank you all for continuing to read!
Alrighty! Please feel free to ask questions for more detailed results on specific states or congressional races. Feel free to drop feedback and feel free to drop predictions! thank you all for continuing to read!
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Interesting chapter, I wonder how Hancock will do as President as the first Democrat since the Civil War, winning the White House is only the start. Since we're apparently getting a Liberal Revolution, I assume the Liberals will be doing a lot of things for their benefit over the Democrats and Republicans. How radical will the Republicans be going since losing the 1880 election? Think we can see how things are going in Lincoln and Sequoyah, how are those states developing? I see a lot of Freedman migration with Reconstruction officially ending. Keep up the good work 👍👍👍.
Thank you! Yep next chapter we will discuss the soon to be admitted states in Oklahoma.
Random topic, I'd recommend using website like MapChart for all your elections/world maps/etc. What you have now is alright but could be much better IMO.
Link: https://www.mapchart.net/
Link: https://www.mapchart.net/
Thanks! The only problem would be getting the Dominican Republic and the different state borders to work in the future, but I’ll mess around with this site for 1884.
Damn, no Clay 🥲 But it’ll be interesting to see how a Democrat presidency goes here
I see Hancock walking a tightrope of sorts, doing well enough to satisfy the general electorate and keeping a lid on the neo-fire breathers (I assume the failed Reconstruction states TTL are very vengeful, especially surrounded by states where Reconstruction worked/moderate success). It would be interesting seeing a Democrat President handle feuds/issues that have diametrically opposed states against one another.
Looking at the map, correct me or not, but will maybe the East be a bastion for the Liberal Party while the West (and certain southern states) become strongholds for the Republican Party in the future?
As of now, New England and the Border States are very friendly to the Liberals. The mid Atlantic has high liberal turnout than republican. The west and Midwest are Republican strongholds, as are successful reconstruction states.