History of the United States (1865-1914)

## First Sarge Administration (1865-1869)

The Cabinet at the beginning of the Sarge administration:

* Vice President: Charles Steen (FR)
* Secretary of State: Wallace "Wally" West (D)
* Secretary of Commerce: Herbert Hood (FR)
* Attorney General: Thomas Ferry (CW)
* Postmaster General: G. Petrol Uperson (D)
* Secretary of War: William F. Havemeyer (FR)
* Secretary of the Navy: Thomas Wayne (FR)
* Secretary of the Interior: Jackson Porter (FR)

William F. Sarge's term has seen general stability, with the Union successfully negotiating to have the 3 Maritime nations join the country while also peacefully annexing more of Northern Mexico. President Sarge remains popular going into the 1868 election.

## 1868 Election

Incumbent President William F. Sarge won unanimously on the first ballot, with Vice President Steen facing a small opposition from Secretary of Commerce Herbert Hood. He runs on a tradition Federalist-Republican platform, supporting judicial reform, civil rights for Black Americans, and a high tariff. He has been criticized for an apparent lack of action during his administration, along with the fact he is seeking re-election even after 12 years of consecutive FedRep rule. His running mate is Incumbent Vice President Charles Steen.

William F. Burr, the grandson of former President Aaron Burr and son of Senator John Pierre Burr, is the incumbent Senator for Washoe. He ran on a platform of supporting segregation but ensuring black and white citizens “have equal opportunity and institutions”, financial assistance to low-income farmers, farm subsidies, low taxes, lassiez-faire economics, organization of western territories and states, the movement of Native Americans onto reserves in the state of Indiana, expansion of diplomatic relations with European and South American nations, free trade with Britain and France, and diplomatic solutions over war. His running mate is Andrew Carnegie, a 33 year old railroad financier and investor.

Mackenzie Bowell, a 44-year-old incumbent Representative for Ontario’s 2nd Congressional district, was the Canadian Party's nominee for President. He runs on a platform of allowing Ontario to secede from the Union and the selling of Maine to the newly formed Dominion Republic of Canada. He has been criticized for his radical proposals and lack of experience, only being elected in the 1866 midterms. His running mate is Hugh McDonald, a pro-Canada activist from New York. He is only on the ballot in Ontario, Nouvelle-France, and the 6 New England states.

### Aftermath

Following last November's presidential election, the American public was incessantly plagued with lawsuit after lawsuit from the Burr campaign alleging electoral fraud. Largely bogus and wild claims, all of the said lawsuits were turned down by judges across the nation. Burr's efforts amounted to little. The states he contested - Missouri, Tennessee, New York, and more - all certified their electoral votes.

How ironically true that sentiment would be. On the morning of January 6, Senator Burr stood on the National Mall delivering a rousing speech to nearly 3500 supporters. The group stormed through the front entrance to the Capitol building, breaking windows and stomping into offices, massacring anyone in sight. The Capitol security was quickly overwhelmed, as Burr's supporters began setting fire to the building and barricading the entrance. They then continued on through the halls of Congress, slaying office staff and turning over every paper, chair, and painting. Busting down doors, they split up and made their way to the House and Senate Chambers.

With additional men blocking all the remaining exits, the Senate group reached their chamber first. Opening fire as they entered, Senators began to drop like flies. As the certification of the election was going on, Vice President Steen stood at the front of the chamber. Struck down, he lay bleeding on the floor as the group ransacked the chamber. Senators William Kingsman and Thomas Wayne were immediately slain, and 8 more Senators followed. The House group fared the same. Representatives ducked below desks and chairs, only to be blown away at close range. With both Chambers of Congress on fire, the building soon became consumed. With Burr personally stealing the electoral vote box, he slipped out of the building and into the bustling streets of DC. The rest of his supporters then dispersed, moving on to set fire to the streets and riot.

## Second Sarge Administration (1869-1873)

### Civil Rights Legislation and Reactions

Although William F. Sarge's first term was relatively stable, his second term was considered turbulent, both in foreign and domestic events. With the January 6th riot, the Democratic Party quickly crumbled and collapsed. The void of a sizable opposition to the Federalists Republicans was unfilled. Seizing opportunity, Senator Marshall of Ohio proposed to congress the *“Civil Rights Act of 1869”,* with general support from his party. The bill cracked down on lynchings of black civilians in the South, classifying the action as murder and increasing punishment. The bill also gave the Department of Justice the ability to investigate cases of suspected voter intimidation against Black southerners. The State of Mississippi attempted to contest the act in the Supreme Court, which was rejected soon after.

Protests erupted in the South following the passage and signing of the bill, however the majority of such protests were minor demonstrations. Many recognized that the Federal Government would be unable to enforce a ban on lynching in the south.

Soon after the Capitol Attack, a federal investigation was organized, to discover not only how Burr had managed to get such an extensive amount of arms, but into how the attack itself was carried out. Weaponry left at the Capitol pointed to a suspect, the segregationist “Clan” In mid-1869, a band of Federalist-Republican senators united to attempt and to declare the organization responsible for aiding a terrorist attack on the United States itself. This act banned the organization, along with giving the Department of Justice the ability to arrest all members of this organization on the basis of treason and terrorism. Without a conservative opposition, this bill passed congress. The earlier southern protests transformed into riots, against both the act and against the Federalists-Republican party as a whole.

However, many southerners recognized the fact that the act itself did not specify deny the formation of another organization. As such, soon after the signing of the act, the *“Mason-Dixon Society”* was formed as a less violent alternative to the previous organization, complying with the Civil Rights Act of 1869. Around the same time, the former members of the Democratic Party regrouped to form The Constitutional Liberal Party, a classical liberal party. This party would later rebrand to The Liberal Party in late 1870.

### Panic of 1870

As civilian spending in Europe came to a crash due to the War of the 8th Coalition, so did the financial stock market. What followed was a mutual crash of all nations across Europe. The FRDOWD in France saw declines of 15%, with similar indexes in Britain and Prussia seeing 11% and 17% declines respectively, all within the first days of the beginning of the War. America suffered the effects of the crashes, with the Dow Jones Index falling 8.25% in a day. To stave off damage, the New York Stock Exchange had to be closed for a week.

A recession spans the world, from the Streets of Sacramento to the Palaces of St. Petersburg.

### American Entry into the Coalition War

On June 6th, 1871, the USS Washington, a civilian ship, was attacked by the French Empire. The French, who knew the ship was American, used the pretense of “Suspected of harbouring weaponry for the British” onboard to attack the civilian cruiser. In response, the United States formally entered the *War of the 8th Coalition* on the side of the British and Prussians on June the 7th. Soon after, Mexico, a French puppet kingdom, began a land invasion of the Sinagloa and Rio Grande territories. America, at peace since 1857, responded quickly to the invasion, and a pushback forced Emperor Maximillian I to surrender by December 1871. As of November 1872, America continues to fight France.

However, the majority French state of Nouvelle-France remains in riot over the war against France, with an organized socialist rebellion in northern Nouvelle-France also ongoing as of November 1872.

### The Coalition War

The War in America started after The French sunk the USS Washington. soon after Senator Steve Marshall of Ohio gave a speech to congress stating, "Yesterday June 6th 1871 a date which will live in infamy the United States was suddenly and deliberately attacked by the empire of France. The United States was not at war with this nation and was still in negotiations when French and Portuguese ships attacked American vessels sinking the us Washington a civilian freighter with no weapons aboard, we cannot allow this attack to go unpunished and the French have already invaded North America with their continued invasion of Mexico and have invaded Nations such as Spain, Portugal, Germany, attempted invasions of Britain, India, the East Indies, Brazil, Venezuela, the Netherlands and many more. We cannot allow this unpunished aggression in our hemisphere and across the world to continue and the French are a threat to America in every way. I am asking Congress and the president to declare war on France for the sake of America and for Freedom worldwide." People of Paris soon declared the Commune Paris shortly after.

For ten months the experiment of revolutionary economics would be tried and tested. Much to the dismay of the various communes though they would only have a few months of rule. From inter-commune conflict to manpower issues they were militarily outmatched. One by one the cities would fall and by November the heart of the revolution the Commune of Paris would be under siege on both sides to their North the Prussian army led by General Otto Von Bismarck, and to the East the National Assembly led by the new French Third Republic after the collapse of the Second French Empire.

The Commune of Paris the last of the Communes from the Red Summer would fall. Beaten back and surrounded on all sides the final question was who would occupy the city. For if taken by the National Assembly the Third Republic can hope for a less stringent treaty come April. These hopes though would shatter as Commune forces would collapse under a artillery barrage from the might of the German Army. By the second week of March urban fighting would die down to the last extreme partisans and the Prussian Flag would fly high mask in the center of the French Capital.

With hopes dashed the unofficial cease fire with the Third Republic was made official and a Armistice was agreed to between Otto Von Bismarck and Adolphe Thiers. The French Empire had now officially been recognized as fallen and with it a new Europe had risen from the flames.

America had done it it had triumphed with its allies in the coalition and when the news reached the American people that France had finally laid down its arms and all fighting in Europe had concluded there was a brief moment of silence. Before cheering and happiness would take to the streets in every American city town and village for a brief second everyone was unified patriotism and pure joy overtook the people. (Unless you were from Quebec) In every state besides a New France and even places like Ontario celebrations would ring out. Bars ran dry of liquor and wives welcome back their husbands. The military had expanded triple during the war and the budget had also expanded and American territory was guaranteed to grow by 20%. It was a moment of joy and happiness and it would last a whole week celebrations and happiness. The biggest one being the New York parade where American soldiers paraded down the streets and pictures were taken, leading to a speech by the governor of New York Lucifer in which he would congratulate the soldiers and praise the work that had been done. For America was United and for that moment America truly was happy.

### Six-Synagogue Scandal

Under the pretext of peacekeeping, a Federalist-Republican Senator, Johnathan Schneider, and an independent caucusing Federalist-Republican Senator, Ibrahim Pasha, illegally raised a militia of 500 men in July 1871 and, under the cover of night, burned down 6 Jewish Synagogues in the state of New Hampshire, killing many civilians in the process. Once arrested, both Senators were found guilty on all charges of multiple counts of murder, arson, vandalism, attempted murder, and illegal raising of a militia. Senator Pasha committed suicide, while Senator Schneider was executed.

The Federalist-Republicans took most of the blame for the attack, due to the perpetrators not only being Federalist-Republicans but also being high up members of the Federalist-Republican Party. Soon after the Synagogue attack, speeches made by Senator Herbert Hood, the Federalist-Republican Vice Presidential Nominee, calling for violence and segregation against the Jewish people in 1863 were uncovered and published nationwide. The Federalist-Republican Party as a whole was accused of being anti-semetic.

### The Northern Revolt

In October 1872, amidst the organized northern Nouvelle-French rebellion, Federalist-Republican Vice Presidential Candidate Steve Marshall used the rebellion as a pretext to launch a military operation into Nouvelle France. Under his command, the cities of Quebec City and Montreal were burned by federal troops, with the wives and children of French protesters locked in army encampments with little food.

The states of Ontario, Nouvelle-France, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island after seceded from the United States in order to form “La République libre du Canada”, or “The Free Republic of Canada”. Steve Marshall, Federalist-Republican VP Candidate and perpetrator behind the attack, was held on trial for crimes against the civilian population of Nouvelle-France. The revolt was ended in negotiations.

## 1872 Election

Andrew Carniege is a 37-year-old Businessman from New York, and Liberal Party nominee for President. He runs on an anti-establishment platform, running as “the people’s man” against a “corrupt Washington elite”. Ontop of that, he runs a traditional Democrat/Liberal campaign, supporting a low tariff rate, aid for farmers, capital and private business, and a low tax rate. He has been heavily criticized for the John Rockefeller, his running mate, scandal, which allegedes Rockefeller knew about his father’s death and helped cover up a murder involved with creating a fake body. Carniege himself has been criticized for a lack of experience, an issue which divided the Democratic Convention. His running mate is John D. Rockefeller, a US Senator for Nouvelle-France.

Eric Perkins is a 58-year-old US Senator from California, and Federalist-Republican nominee for President. He runs a moderate Federalist-Republican campaign of supporting “Economic Safeguards” to end the ongoing recession caused by the Panic of 1870, a moderate foreign policy agenda, the “ending of pointless wars abroad”, protection of national environmental landmarks, and giving states the authority to make decisions on civil rights issues. He has been heavily criticized for his running mates involvement in the Burning of Quebec and the beginning of the Northern Civil War (scroll up to read) as well as the 6 Synagogue scandal, where 2 Federalist-Republican Senators were convicted of burning down 6 jewish synagogues and sentenced to execution. After his second running mate, Steve Marshall, authorized the construction of camps to hold the wives and children of Nouvelle-French revolutionaries, the party kicked Marshall from the ticket.

Charles Steen is the 52-year-old incumbent Vice President of the United States who, after a contested Federalist-Republican convention in 1872, elected to secede from the party and run his own independent campaign for President. Following the 6 Synagogue and Marshall scandals, he gained more support, enough to be put on the ballot in every state. He runs on a liberal Federalist-Republican campaign of civil rights for Black Americans, judicial reform, and a high tariff rate. He has been criticized for his attempt to split the Federalist-Republican party, as well as his split during the 1872 Convention. His running mate is former Senator and current General Ulysses S. Grant.

Charles Steen ultimately narrowly won the Presidential election, giving the American Party its first President.

## Steen Administration (1873-1875)

### The Schleswig Skirmishes of 1876

*Grown confident over their new hegemony over continental Europe, the German Confederation had staged a border skirmish with the kingdom of Denmark-Norway over the Schleswig-Holstein region. This dispute would last only a few week's as Prussian forces would give the Danish army one devasting defeat after the other. With threats of the Confederation army moving northwards into the Duchy of Nørreland, the Danish king had no choice but to surrender to Prussian demands. With it the short Schleswig war had only lasted two months, and the Prussian domain grows stronger.* *The acquisition of Schleswig though would give rise to greater tensions between the Austrian and Prussian states. As much to Prussian dismay the Austrian Emperor had given the various counties and duchies within the region the right to call a united assembly, with it creating a new nation state that has joined the German confederation, while growing two of Austria's nearby allies. Outraged Prussian delegates would call this a breach of the principle of joint sovereignty. This dispute would lead to the stationing of troops between the Prussian, and Austrian Border.*

## 1876 Election

In 1872, Charles Steen narrowly won the Presidency, with a small vote lead over Andrew Carnegie and the Liberal-Union Party. Steen helped to form a new opposition party during his tenure as President, known as the American Party. The American Party took control of the House and Senate in the 1874 Midterms, leaving the two opposition parties behind.

Charles Steen, who had previously been nominated by the American Party, died before he could finish his term. President Ulysses S. Grant, his successor, refused to run for reelection. The American Party nominated Austin Pope, a 35-year-old former US Senator for Illinois and former Majority Leader of the Senate, and a member of the long controversial Pope family. He runs a campaign similar to the more conservative American Party platform, calling for a low tariff and tax rate, colonial expansionism, with balanced levels of local, state, and federal power. The party also calls for a joint Gold/Silver Standard, and the joint cooperation of local/state/federal governments when it comes to mining rights.

Meanwhile, the Liberal-Union Party nominated Jefferson Wallace during a convention with a shortened voting time. The nomination of Wallace, a well-known Southerner and a segregation advocate, caused frustration within the party. Senator William McKinley and President Pro Tempore Charles Francis Adams threatened to leave the party. A meeting between several wing leaders was held, and the meeting nominated John D. Rockefeller of Nouvelle-France as the new nominee.

Due to the unpopularity of Austin Pope and the burnout from six continuous terms of Federalist-Republican and American rule, John D. Rockefeller won in a landslide, to the surprise of many. However, before the results could be certified by the electoral college, Austin Pope committed suicide, disqualifying him from receiving any electoral votes. Instead, the votes were distributed to several Americans.

## First Rockefeller Administration (1877-1881)

### The Great Chicago Fire -1877

Two months into Rockefeller's first term, on May the 8th, 1877, a fire at a barn on DeKoven street erupted due to poor wooden construction and high temperatures. This fire soon engulfed the city of Chicago, leaving 300 men, women, and children dead with 100,000 more homeless. President Rockefeller and the Liberal-Union party proposed to congress an extensive recovery bill to rebuild the city of Chicago's damage. As apart of their recovery plan, the Government in cooperation with the State of Illinois would award contracts to companies who could assist in reconstructing the city. By the end of Rockefeller's first term, much of the damage had been fixed.

### Beginnings of Prohibition - 1877

In 1877, a compromise between senators who promoted the growing prohibition movement and moderate senators led to the passage of the "Limited Alcohol Sale Act of 1877". This act prohibited the sale of alcohol of all forms on Sunday. Following this act's passage, the United States began to see a rise in "Sundaysaloons", illegal saloons which operated only on Sundays, when the sale of alcohol was prohibited.

### 1877 Centennial Attacks - 1877

In 1876, an explosion rocked the city of DC, carried out by anti-American extremists. In response, President Grant delayed the American Centennial Celebrations by one year, planning it instead to take place from July 4th to December 1st 1877. On the final day of the celebration in Philadelphia, an explosion rocked the skyline of the city, an act carried out by the same group responsible for the 1876 DC Attacks. President Rockefeller responded to this attack by permitting the formation of an intelligence organization from within the Attorney General's office, known as the United States Intelligence Agency.

### Rise of Organized Crime - 1877-1878

In 1877, the state of New York was plagued by a serial killer known as Paul B. Hobbs. Following his arrest and execution, a copy-cat killer named James Johnson took on his alias. Assembling a gang of southwestern criminals, the "Skinner" criminal gang began terrorizing civilians in the Arizona and New Mexico territories. 67 Separate murders could be attributed to this gang over several months. President Rockefeller, with the support of Congress, authorized sending 4000 men to the Arizona territory, led by Johnathan Kaisir, then-Secretary of War. With the help of Alex Morgan, a former Skinner who defected to the Union for protection, the army successfully tracked down James Johnson and the Skinner Gang and eradicated all but 11 in a skirmish in Prescott, Arizona. James Johnson himself escaped the skirmish, traveling northbound to Canada under the alias Jamaed Skinner.

In 1879, Jamaed Skinner was uncovered to be James Johnson, living in Northern Canada. With the support of congress, Alex Morgan led a small group of 20 men up to Canada. Rather than be taken in, James Skinner committed suicide the morning of August 2nd, 1879 at age 35.

In 1880, however, the eradicated Skinner gang was brought back into the national spotlight. Rufus Skinner, the 17-year-old stepson of James Johnson, sought revenge on Alex Morgan and Johnathan Kaisir, the two men he blamed for his stepfather's death. In February 1880, Secretary of War Kaisir, ill from Pneumonia, was allowed to take a two months long rest. While hunting the morning of February 10th, 1880, in Arkansas, he was approached by Rufus Skinner. Skinner shot the Secretary dead with a revolver. In response, President Rockefeller motioned to appoint acting-secretary James P. Palmer to the position. Rufus Skinner has fled Arkansas, however sources point to him being in hiding in Culiacan.

James Johnson and Alex Morgan, along with other Skinner Gang members, pictured in Northern Mexico, Early-1878

### Permaria Port - 1877-1881

Seeking to industrialize and advance the American Territory of the Philippines, in 1877 President Rockefeller began drafts for Permaria Dock, a massive new dock and canal in the Philippines meant to aid in the President's plan to "Make Luzon Island the New York of the Orient". Building the dock at a notably thin straight of the island, Permaria Port would assist in the construction of tracks and infrastructure across the island, while also functioning as the nation's new main eastern navy place. Beginning construction in 1877, the dock's estimated completion is 1885.

### Canadian Referendums - 1878

In 1872, Steve Marshall, then a general in the Sarge Administration, authorized the construction of "internment camps" for the families of Quebecois protesters. As apart of the reparations for the actions of Marshall, then-President Charles Steen agreed to the prospect of a referendum of secession set to take place in 1878, 6 years later. The final result of the referendum saw none of the 4 Canadian States vote with a majority to leave the Union.

### Prince Edward Island Segregation Debate - 1879

Robert W. Blythe, the Georgian man turned Prince Edward Island Governor won the governorship on the back of fame gained in the supreme court case Blythe V. Georgia in 1865. Blythe, a supporter of "Reparations through punishment", proposed the implementing of "Reverse Segregation", in where white civilians were given the lesser treatment. While most laughed Blythe's prospects off, he was in full belief of Reparations through Punishment. Under the pretext of the 1876 and 1877 Terrorist Attacks, Blythe passed through the PEI State Legislature a bill expanding the governor's executive powers. Using his new power, Blythe instituted his ideas of reversed segregation

Protests soon erupted in the state of PEI, with Blythe soon resigning after reversing his order. The legislation in question allowing for expanded executive privilege was also repealed.

The American Party, which had nominated Robert Blythe to be their Vice Presidential Nominee, has seen increased criticism over his actions.

### Schlechtermann Scandal - 1879

In 1879, Governor Sehr Schlechtermann of New York proposed to the state legislature to set higher tax rates for specific religions. This proposal was heavily unpopular, and led to the assassination of the Governor later in the year. The New York Liberal-Union Branch has been accused of anti-semitism in the wake of the Governor's proposal.

### Supreme Court Appointments

* Ambassador James B. Weaver was proposed and appointed to the Supreme Court in February, 1878
* Governor Benjamin Harrison was proposed to the Supreme Court in February 1880. As of the election day, his confirmation is ongoing.

## 1880 Election

John D. Rockefeller is the 41-year-old Incumbent President of the United States from Nouvelle-France, seeking re-election in 1880. Rockefeller easily obtained his party's nomination for re-election, also receiving the Federal Labor and National Legion nominations for President as well. Running under a joint 3 way ticket, Rockefeller promises the finished construction of Permaria dock, the continuation of farmer support programs, the expansion of diplomatic relations with Mexico and Britain, the continued lowering of tariffs, de-escalation of tensions with China, and statehood for the island of Cuba. His running mate is incumbent Vice President Cassius Lee. He has been heavily criticized for Governor Schlechtermann's actions against the religious minorities in New York.

Bartholomew H. Allen is the 44-year-old incumbent US Senator for Ontario, and American Nominee for President. Allen won the 1880 American Nomination in the shadows of Pope's electoral scandal 4 years prior. He runs a traditional American Party campaign, supporting joint federal/state mining of resources, western expansionism and statehood for western states, the supporting of farmers, supporting of civil rights, and supporting of assimilation of immigrants. He has been heavily criticized for his former running mate Robert W. Blythe's segregationist actions in PEI. His running mate is Orien Balber, the incumbent Governor of Ohio.

Meanwhile, former President William F. Sarge contested in this election as an independent candidate, with multiple running mates depending of the state of the election.

The election resulted in a landslide for Rockefeller, who garnered over 60% of the popular vote, and 75% of the electoral vote.

## Second Rockefeller Administration (1881-1885)

### Lee Scandal, 1881

In 1881, Vice President of the United States Cassius Lee III was accused and convicted of aggravated assault, and resigned before an impeachment vote could begin. In order to ensure the position of Vice President was occupied, an amendment to the constitution allowing the Senate to vote for a new Vice President was passed, with Samuel Gompers soon confirmed as the next Vice President in order to ensure the Liberal-Labor Coalition was stable.

### Virginia V. West Virginia, 1882

In 1836, a contingent 3-way race forced the election to the House. Julius Pope, the Agrarian Party nominee who had won a majority of electoral votes, was forced to compromise with northern abolitionist representatives in order to obtain the Presidency. John Livingston, a radical abolitionist senator from Massachusetts, was elected Vice President. Pope, however, unfortunately had his term cut short, entering a coma in December of 1837. Convinced by northerners, Livingston using his newfound Presidential powers elected to move to abolish Slavery, beginning the American Civil War, which lasted 4 years.

During the war, parts of western Virginia which did not support secession elected to form a new, seperate state, which later became the state of West Virginia.

41 years after the end of the civil war, the issue of the constitutionality of the state, which was split from Virginia without the state legislature's consent, was brought forth to the Supreme Court. In a unanimous ruling on June the 15th, 1882, the court sided with Virginia and ordered the counties which had seceded to rejoin.

### Virginian Crisis of 1882-1883

Following the Supreme Court's ruling in Virginia V. West Virginia, numerous Senators elected to defy the court's ruling. A bill, made by Senator Eric Perkins of California, which would separate and reform West Virginia, was passed almost unanimously in the Senate, but vetoed by President Rockefeller. The same legislation was proposed over and over again, until riots in Southern Virginia erupted into chaos.

In 1882, radical pro-west virginia annexationists, disapproving of the Senate's refusal to listen to the court, began a mass organized riot in the South of Virginia, known as the "Virginian Republic". Ongoing during the riots were the Virginian Gubernatorial Election. Incumbent Governor Thomas William Jefferson III declined to seek re-election, with his popular lieutenant Governor facing Robert W. Blythe, a black segregationist who supported institutional racism against White people. A loathed and hated figure in Virginia, Blythe miraculously beat out the popular lieutenant, using what was later discovered as fraudulent ballots to win. Immediately after the inauguration of Blythe, former Governor T. William Jefferson III organized with the approval of the state legislature a bill to declare fraudulent the 1882 Virginian Gubernatorial Election.

Blythe soon fled the state, travelling under alias to the Deseret Territory near Great Salt Lake. Blythe was soon picked up by bounty hunters, who executed the Governor the evening of March the 10th, 1883.

T. William Jefferson, the self proclaimed "President of Virginia". surrendered to the union once news of Blythe's death reached Virginia. He was granted a pardon by President Rockefeller to ease tensions in Virginia.

The Battle of Roanoke, March the 6th, 1883. Protesters fought against police forces in the city.

### Permaria Port's completion

In 1878, Permaria Port, a new port and canal set to be built in the island of Luzon, began construction. After 5 years of intense labor and construction, the port opened its doors in late 1883.

### Supreme Court Appointments

* Ambassador James B. Weaver was proposed and appointed to the Supreme Court in February, 1878
* Governor Benjamin Harrison was proposed to the Supreme Court in February 1880. However, following his arrest for treason in November 1880, he resigned from the court.
* Senator Bartholomew Allen was proposed and appointed to the Supreme Court in October 1880.

## 1884 Election

James Chester is the 63-year-old incumbent United States Senator for New Jersey, who won the nomination for President on a draft movement by moderate northerners and an endorsement from President Rockefeller. He runs a traditional Liberal campaign, advocating for a low tax and tariff, a laissez-faire style of economics, the admission of Western territories into the Union, and the continued support for farmers in the western farming states. His running mate is Bartholomew Allen, an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court and former General who ran against President Rockefeller in the 1880 election. He is also on the ballot as the official American Party nominee.

Jefferson Wallace is the 66-year-old current Secretary of State under the Rockefeller Administration. Wallace was given the position in the Compromise of 1876, when Wallace agreed to resign from being the official Liberal-Union Presidential Candidate in promise of the position of Secretary. He runs with the new Christian Workers Party, an alliance of right wing conservatives. He runs a platform of supporting segregation and upholding the practice. His running mate is Leopold Arsenic, a Senator for Michigan.

Thomas William Jefferson III is the 41-year-old incumbent Governor of Virginia and former "President" of the Virginian secessionist movement. He runs on a campaign of allowing states to legally secede if a referendum is held and 2/3rds of the state vote aye, and implementing a nation wide "race tax" on religious minorities. His running mate is Henry J. Heinz, the Independent Governor of Vermont, who has been accused of numerous crimes.

Samuel Gompers is the 34-year-old incumbent Vice President of the United States, who assumed the office upon the arrest and resignation of Cassius Lee. He previously led the Department of the Treasury as secretary before President Rockefeller pushed his confirmation as Vice President through in order to keep the fragile Liberal-Labor coalition together, much to the surprise of Gompers, who had recently resigned as Secretary of the Treasury after not wanting the position. Gompers runs a laborist campaign, calling for labor rights, protectionism, trust busting, religious guidance, and a moderate tariff. He runs with Governor Benjamin Ken, the incumbent Governor of the state of Illuvia.

After a close election, no candidate received a majority of the electoral college, while Gompers won the popular vote by a significant margin. A contingent election was thus held, awarding James Chester the Presidency.

## Chester and Allen Administrations (1885-1889)

Before President Chester's term began, a crisis in the American colony of the Philippines erupted with the eruption of Krakatoa. The proximity of the colony to Mount Krakatoa wreaked havoc on the islands food production, inducing a nation-wide famine that began soon following the inauguration of President Chester.

In response, President Chester authorized the sending of 10,000 pounds of grain to the Philippines, a move that was heavily criticized for the lack of food to feed the near 5 million Filipino civilians. Following the death of Commanding General Winfield Scott Hancock in 1885, President Chester appointed Philip Sheridan to the position.

However, most of Chester's term would be focused on a situation on the southern border with Mexico. Tensions and disputes between America and Mexico had all but risen ever since America won over Mexico in the War of 1870 and annexed much of Northern Mexico, with accusations of unfair treatment of the Mexican populous now under American control normalized. All throughout the Rockefeller administration tensions rose on the Border, with clashes between protesters and police frequent in the south. Until on March 27th, 1885, the last thread of hay was laid, and the camels back broke.

### The Mexican-American War

On March the 26th, 1885, then Senator for the State of Culiacan, Jorge Antonio, a long proponent of the secession of the majority Mexican states and territories, and an advocate against the ruling Hapsburg Dynasty in Mexico, assembled a small militia of loyal supporters and marched into the Mexican state, which he believed to be *"A shell of our once great nation, now no more than a puppet"*. Mexican forces, mistaking this as a declaration of War against Mexico, soon launched a counter invasion. Antonio was captured, and the Mexican Emperor officially declared a state of war between America and Mexico.

The United States, unprepared for combat and unknowing of Senator Antonio's actions, struggled to mount any resistance to the Mexican invasion in the beginning stages of the war. Not helping was the seemingly welcoming of Mexican invaders in the Rio Grande and New Mexico territories, with locals providing aid and resources to Mexican soldiers.

The Mexican army also moved southwards, to take port cities in Central America under the occupation of the brutal Golden Circle Company, which had held the territories of Central America under an authoritarian regime. Faced with both local resistance movements and the Mexican invasion, American Soldiers who had been assisting in the GCC Territories were forced to surrender. By August, under the command of Admiral Darrel Dutch, a naval blockade formed in the Gulf of Mexico, which successfully repealed an attempted landing in Cuba and aided in a successful American landing in Cancun. Despite the victory in the Gulf, Mexican troops continued their push, aided by locals in the Rio Grande and New Mexico Territories, and by resistance groups in the Golden Circle Territories.

By Winter of 1885, the American Army had assembled in full, and mounted a sizable resistance movement against Mexican forces. Troops under the command of Generals Anderson and General Tecumseh Sherman pushed back in the Rio Grande Territory, while troops under General Sarge mounted a successful naval landing in the south of Mexico. In the Yucatan, troops continued a western push, despite the inability to retain stability in their naval blockade line.

By Spring and early summer of 1886, the Mexican army, aided by the populous of the Rio Grande Territory, successfully pushed back many American advances that had taken place in the Winter. Due to "Command Incompetence", several key issues in American plans were exploited by the Mexican forces, giving the Mexicans an advantage over an otherwise significantly stronger enemy. By February 1887, the tides of war had shifted once more. President Chester, General Anderson, and General Sarge were all blamed for the horrible state of the war. This was only worsened when Mexico offered conditional peace to the United States, agreeing to end the war if the Rio Grande and New Mexico territories, along with the state of Culiacan, were returned to Mexico. Chester, fearing impeachment due to incompetence, rejected these measures.

General Sarge, General Anderson, and Commanding General Sheridan, were all removed of their posts, and replaced with new military commanders. Eric Perkins, a longtime retired Senator who served in the Civil War of 1837-1841, became Commanding General, with James H. Woodman, an incumbent Senator who also served in the Civil War and had been in the Army from 1838-1883, taking on the commands of Sarge and Anderson. An encirclement in the South of Mexico also gave rise to a new form of warfare, with encircled troops digging into "trenches" to more easily defend against the Mexicans. Soon following this move, Mexico also began the digging of "trench lines" all across the encirclement and across flat terrain on the front line, preparing for the soon coming American assault.

In Summer of 1887, President Chester was impeached by the House narrowly and removed by the Senate, giving rise to Vice President Bartholomew Allen. Allen, who had been on the front line, had been taken hostage in the early stages of the war and rescued soon after. With the Trench lines engulfing the entire front line, many saw this as the begging of a long stalemate. To combat the Mexican threat, a draft was implemented by Congress in January of 1887, after reserve forces proved insufficient. The cities of New York and Philadelphia are in ongoing riot over the draft's implementation, with no end in sight by Election Day 1888.

## 1888 Election

Bartholomew Allen is the incumbent 52-year-old President of the United States, who assumed the office after the impeachment of James Chester. Allen runs on a pro-war campaign, and using new technologies and tactics to defeat the Mexican army by the next election. Despite his favorable popularity, Allen only narrowly won the 1888 Liberal-Union Convention over Eric Perkins, the incumbent Commander General of the Army who had previously ran as the Federalist-Republican nominee way back in the Election of 1872. As a compromise, the moderate Perkins was made Allen's running mate. Allen has been criticized for his connections to the unpopular Allen administration.

Robert Todd Lincoln is the 45-year-old son of former President Abraham Lincoln and incumbent US Senator for California, who previously served as Attorney General from 1885-1887 under President Chester and as Minister to Britain from 1878-1885 under President Rockefeller. Politically, Lincoln is a moderate in the Labor Party, policy-wise more akin to a Liberal-Unionist than to the Samuel Gompers wing of the party. His running mate is Peter C. Brooks Adams, the grandson of President John Quincy Adams and son of Charles Francis Adams, a Liberal-Union party legend, Senator for Massachusetts, and Democratic party nominee for Vice President in 1860 and 1864. Brooks Adams currently holds office as a Senator for Massachusetts.

Darrel Dutch is the 46-year-old Commanding Admiral of the Navy, a position that was created during the Mexican-American War and is equivalent to the position of Commanding General of the Army. Dutch runs a traditionalist Christian-Worker campaign, supporting the current institution of Segregation in the South and refusing all negotiations with Mexico until the war's conclusion. Dutch has been heavily criticized for comments made by his running mate, Jefferson Wallace, in March of 1887. Wallace is reported to have announced his support for Slavery in an interview. Dutch has been taken off of the ballot in New York and Pennsylvania due to Wallace's comments.

In the end, Lincoln won the election by a comfortable margin due to fatigue from the Liberal-Union Party, the unpopularity of the war in Mexico, and the vote-splitting between the Christian Workers and the Liberals in the border states.

## First Lincoln Administration (1889-1893)

### End of the War, 1889

Shortly following President Lincoln's inauguration, the President immediately attempted to end the Mexican-American war by declaring a ceasefire. However, the Mexican government had not agreed to such a ceasefire. As such, while American guns fell silent, Mexican guns did not. The United States suffered heavy casualties, until the ceasefire order was reversed despite heavy casualties and losses. Soon following the March Massacre, an actual ceasefire was agreed upon by Mexico. Negotiations began in Vienna, and on February 17th, 1890, the signing of the Treaty of Vienna officially ended the war.

In 1871, Mexico was a puppet state of the French Empire. However, falling the conclusion of the War of 1870 in 1872, a Habsburg puppet government was installed in the nation with the United States taking much of Northern Mexico. Maximilian I took the throne. Two more generations would pass until Leopold Von Habsburg, grandson of Maximilian, took the throne. The unpopular ruling family, not in touch with the people of Mexico, was willing to give up the Yucatan territory for reperations. And so, the United States would formally annex the Yucatan Territory.

### The Statue of Democracy

As a "token of friendship", the United States was gifted a statue by the British. This move, however, was seen as a thank you for the favors America provided to the British during the Berlin Conference. Anti-colonial rallies erupted in New York, the statues intended destination, over the US government being complicit in the future colonization and oppression of millions of people in Africa by the British and other colonial powers, including America in Madagascar. However, the state of New York, recognizing the amount of construction jobs the project would create, agreed to place the statue on Bedloe's Island, New York.

### The Panic of 1890

The economic strain of the war on the American economy contributed to a rise of market manipulation in the form of pump-and-dump schemes and stock scams. After the uncovering of the largest market crime in History in 1890, in where promenant businessmen such as Frank Rockefeller, Cornelius Vanderbilt II, and Theodore Thawne II were all convicted of numerous pump-and-dump schemes and market scams. This event, alongside the strain of the war, the burst of the "railroad and mining industry", and the over mining of silver which caused debate over how much silver should be coined, all contributed to the beginning of the Panic.

In response, President Lincoln implemented a bracket income tax. This income tax only further worsened the economy, as business owners and businesses who were now forced to pay a higher tax were forced to lay off hundreds of thousands of employees.

### The Hour's War

On August 12th, 1892, Gregory Anderson IV, former President of the United States and US Senator for Oregon, purchased 5 civilian steamships and converted them into war vessels, cannons and guns purchased illegally installed on the ship. Taking advantage of the recession, the rich Senator, who was a direct descendant of a founding father, purchased a militia of poor veterans of the Mexican-American war, and set off from a port in Florida on September 16th, 1892. Anderson's intention was to bomb the capital city of the Dominican Republic and force submission to America.

Setting sail for the island, Anderson arrived a day later, and successfully destroyed an unsuspecting small fleet in the city. After issuing an ultimatum to the Government, which the Republic refused, the Anderson cannons began bombarding the city, killing thousands of civilians. Anderson had expected immediate surrender due to his belief that the Dominican army and government was "primitive". This, however, was false, as the Dominican Republic had become a prosperous republic after exporting sugar and other resources to Britain and France in the War of 1870 and to Mexico and America in the Mexican-American War. The Dominican Army, using Anderson's nativity, surrounded and captured the former President.

The Dominican Government, believing this to be an act of war against the Republic by the Government of the United States, sent out a naval force to bombard the city of Havana, Cuba, the capital of the State of Cuba, and Miami, Florida. Luckily, President Lincoln was soon informed of the war and issued peace to the Dominican Republic, promising reparations and an alliance. The Dominican Government accepted. Anderson was declared insane and executed for treason upon his arrival back to America. Economic sanctions and condemnation were placed upon America following the attack by European powers, however were lifted after the revelation of the true story.

### Foreign Affairs - Berlin Conference, Latin Union

Initially planned to take place in 1884, the Berlin Conference was delayed due to disputes among European nations. The conference officially began on June the 19th, 1890, and concluded on February the 23rd, 1891. The British Empire, which aided America in the war against Mexico, requested the United States support more extensive British claim during the War, which the American government obliged to. In the final treaty the United States was given the island of Madagascar, however due to the ongoing recession the United States was unable to take the island.

In 1892, the governments of Chile, Argentina, and Bolivia voted to join together and form a presidential republic to combat the rising influence of the Second Brazilian Empire. Modeled after the United States' government in hopes of an alliance. In the 1892 Election, Federico E. Echaurren, a Conservative, was elected as the Nations first President. Rumors have spread the Union is attempting to spread into Peru and Paraguay, eventually attempting to form a continental empire.

## 1892 Election

Robert Todd Lincoln is the 49-year-old incumbent President of the United States. Lincoln, the son of President Abraham Lincoln, first moved into the White House in 1857 at age 13 following his fathers victory in the Election of 1856. Lincoln grew up in the White House, leaving in 1865 at age 20. Despite that, he regularly visited with William F. Sarge, President from 1865-1873 who Lincoln was personal friends with. Lincoln attempted to run for the House of Representatives in the 1870 Midterms, however lost to a Liberal candidate. Following his loss, Lincoln moved west for business opportunities, where he quickly grew compassionate for the plethora of heavy laborers in the states of Washoe and California, developing beliefs supporting workers rights and labor unions. Due to being blamed for the Recession of 1890, Lincoln starts off slightly behind Roosevelt. He runs on a platform of continued economic intervention, taxation of the mega wealthy, "busting trusts", supporting labor unions, workers rights, and combating "radicalism".

Gordon Lancaster Rockwell is the 41-year-old Incumbent Mayor of Birmingham, Mississippi, and conservative political icon in Mississippi. Rockwell helped form the New Democratic Party in 1889, after being elected Mayor in 1888. Using his status as a native Mississippian, Rockwell has been seen as the candidate for the former Christian-Worker’s party members. Rockwell started his political career in 1885 advocating against President Chester in his hometown. His devotion to the "conservative cause" led to him receiving the Christian-Worker's party nomination for Mayor in 1888.

Rockwell receiving the 1892 Nomination was an uphill battle in the party often called the "Conservative Laborites". Popular conservative journalist and former Senator James Patrick Palmer was widely favored to win, and came ahead of Rockwell in the Primary, the first primary ever conducted. However, Palmer fell out of favor with the delegation and Rockwell narrowly clenched the Nomination over draft candidate Thomas W. Wilson. Palmer became the Nominee for Vice President.

James Roosevelt is the 64-year-old Mayor of Washington DC, who first began his political career in 1853, after being made the personal secretary and assistant of Joseph R. Ingersol, then Minister to Britain under President James K. Polk. After the election of Abraham Lincoln in 1856, Roosevelt moved to state politics, serving as Secretary of State of New York for a term and as Attorney General of New York for another. After seemingly retiring from political life, Roosevelt moved to the Capital of Washington DC, however remained active in Democratic party politics, endorsing several democratic candidates and serving as a Delegate in the Democratic Convention in 1868, the Liberal Convention of 1872, and the Liberal-Union Convention of 1876.

While in the Capital, Roosevelt fought for the rights of the citizens in the capital, advocating for self governance and the right to vote in Presidential elections. Roosevelt's effort’s turned out successful, as DC was granted the right to elect their own mayor in 1887. Roosevelt runs on a classical Liberal-Union platform, supporting moderate economic interventionist policies to fix the recession. He also supports the territorial conquest of Madagascar, a key issue in this race.

In the end, Lincoln won the election by an extremely narrow margin, with a few votes in Cuba deciding the election, allowing Lincoln to attain a majority in the electoral college. However, Lincoln still leads both of his opponents by sizable margins, both in the popular vote and the electoral vote.

## Second Lincoln Administration (Jan-Mar 1893)

Lincoln's second term was short but eventful. Shortly after President Lincoln's inauguration, the US, which had been given the claim to colonize the island of Madagascar during the Berlin Conference, began executing its plans. As a sign of good faith and continued alliance between the United States and Britain, the British parliament authorized the sending of a small volunteer of 30 British soldiers to the United States to assist in the invasion of Madagascar.

After being issued a mistaken report, President Lincoln wrongfully thought the assisting forces were hostile pirates, due to the recent rise in pirating in the Caribbean after the beginning of the recession. On March the 10th, as the forces approached shore, the ship was fired upon. 27 of the 30 crewmen died, as the wreckage washed up on shore soon after. Amid fears of war with Britain, impeachment was brought up on President Lincoln. And on March the 11th, 1893, President Lincoln resigned to avoid a potential, likely conviction.

Vice President Peter C. Brooks Adams took office as President, becoming the second Laborite President. However, the downfall from the scandal affected the entire Labor party. Shortly following the resignation, the Labor party elected to merge with the New Democratic Party, a party which shared similar economic views while varying wildly on social views. President Adams, dissatisfied with the New Democratic Party, took remaining Laborite supporters and created the "Solidarity Party". He became the party's first President and first Nominee for President.

## Adams Administration (1893-1897)

Adams, inheriting an unstable United States from Lincoln, led a turbulent administration that faced three coup attempts, two civil wars, two civil unrest crises, and two elections. Under his administration, the United States survived all these events, but these events happening in the first place makes Adams' legacy very conflicted among historians.

### Taking of Madagascar

Shortly following the resignation of President Lincoln, the operation to take Madagascar was executed and successful. However, shortly after the Mernia Kingdom's surrender, the US forces were called back, allowing Mernia to retake portions of the island.

The issue on solving relations with Britain dominated the first year of President Adam's term. With the US still in the recession, President Adams was opposed to monetary reparations. When the US and Britain entered official negotiations to resolve the issue, President Adams offered to give the British the land above the 54-40 line, territory long claimed by the British that the US had occupied since 1856. The United States sold the land to Britain at a significantly reduced cost, covering reparations. Along with this, officers involved in the authorization of the firing, along with the former President, were tried in British court.

### The Dutch Coup, 1893

Panic ensued in the nation's capital following the resignation of Lincoln, as many feared of war with Britain was inevitable. Amid the panic, the recession worsened. Veterans of the Mexican-American War, without jobs or benefits from the Government, rioted. A plot to overthrow the "incompetence Adams government" was organized and executed by Darrel Dutch, the former Commanding Admiral of the Navy who had been forced to resign from his position following the conclusion of the war with Mexico.

Admiral Dutch assembled a group of veterans and launched a protest on the US Capital city of Washington DC. President Adams evacuated to the emergency White House in Boston, Massachusetts, constructed during the Civil War as a precaution. The protesters occupied the city for 10 days, with frequent small clashes with police forces. Eventually, President Adams would enter negotiations with Dutch. Dutch was allowed to keep his military titles, and veterans benefits were ensured.

### Burning of San Francisco

The Mayor of San Francisco, William Lawson, along with the City Council, sought to help the working class of the city in the recession by raising the city minimum wage, a power which was granted to them in during Governor George Hearst's term. The new legislation had the adverse affect as intended, and further harmed the cities economy by forcing business closures from companies unable to afford the new wage. The legislation led to protests of the new unemployed, which culminated in a single rioter named James E. Coilmaker setting ablaze the city hall. Soon following this incident, Coilmaker was charged with arson and Lawson repealed the legislation.

### First Haitian War (1894-1898)

*Main Article: Haitian Wars*

J.C. Foley, a territorial governor of Haiti, had ended slavery and gave the black populous voting rights in his term, while pushing for statehood, which was granted in 1891. Foley would not run for re-election as Governor in 1894, instead having Florvil Hyppolite, a leader in the Reed resistance movement in the 1860s, run in his replacement. In a surprising turn of events, James Reed, son of the infamous self-declared Emperor James Reed won the gubernatorial in a landslide, in a possibly rigged election.

Riots began across the state, with an organized rebellion forming on the island of Gonave. The United States then began an investigation into the election's fraudulence as a response, and refused to assist Reed, declaring him a hostile individual and beginning their own operation in Northern Haiti. Due to difficult terrain, the United States struggled to invade the territory and suppress the rebellion there.

### Panic of 1894 and the Pullman Strike

With the economic situation worsening, the situation in San Francisco, Haiti, and the issues with the veterans of the Mexican-American war, many predicted the worsening of this recession into a depression. This prediction came through in December of 1894, with the Panic of 1894, caused by similar issues which ignited the Panic of 1890, sent the economy hurtling into *The Great Depression,* as it was commonly referred to in the day.

Following the beginning of the depression, Pullman Palace Car Company, a manufacturer of railroad cars, cut the already low wages of its workers by 25%, without lowering prices on food and other necessities in its company town, Pullman, Illinois, where many workers lived with their families. Workers which complained about the starvation, the 16-hour work day, living conditions, and low wages to George M. Pullman were subsequently fired.

Within days a crowd of Pullman workers would in solidarity join the fired workers in strike refusing to manufacture railroad carts. What would have left this small strike to history though had not happened. Instead the American Railroad Union had voted to refuse to operate and or touch a single train with a Pullman cart until all fired workers were rehired and their demands agreed to.

On June 27, 1895, 5,000 workers left their jobs and 15 railroads were tied up. By the next day, 40,000 had walked off, and rail traffic was snarled on all lines west of Chicago. On the third day, the number of strikers had climbed to 100,000, and at least 20 lines were either tied up or completely stopped. By June 30, 125,000 workers on 29 railroads had quit work rather than handle Pullman cars. Vanderbilt Company, which had controlled the largest portion of the railroad since the Vanderbilt Presidency of 1833-1837, pressured President Adams to address the situation.

President Adams, in cooperation with the states of Illinois, sent 15,000 National Guard units to encircle the rioters until they *"ceased their violent acts".* They were not permitted to fire on the rioters. President Adams entered negotiations with both Union and Company representatives. These negotiations slowed down following William Henry Vanderbilt's death, but took months to entirely die down.

### Daniel Friedman and his killings

From 1894 onward, the United States has been plagued by a notorious terrorist named Daniel Fredman. Fredman has been linked to the murder of Senator William Borah, a fire that consumed Governor George Burr of Washoe's house, a fire that consumed Jefferson Wallace of Alabama's house, an explosion at the "White Legion"'s Georgia headquarters, and the brutal murder of Gordon L. Rockwell, 1892 Presidential Candidate. Many politicians have increased personal security, and a nation-wide manhunt continues.

## 1896 Election

Donald Kaisir Hood is the 25-year-old Mayor of Baltimore, Maryland, and Liberal-American nominee for President, who has become the youngest person nominated for President. Hood, the son of a Senator and Grandson of a Vice President, was seen as a strong contender for future nominations, however surprised the delegation when he announced his bid for President in 1896, and amid a skew of disappointing and dissatisfying candidates, Hood clenched the Nomination. Senator Morgan Bulkeley, who refused the nomination, announced his bid for President following Hood's nomination.

Morgan Bulkeley is the 59-year-old Senator from Connecticut and True Liberal Nominee for President. Bulkeley announced his bid for President after Donald Hood won the 1896 Liberal-American Nomination. Bulkeley, initially refusing the nomination, spoke of "the grave dangers an inexperienced 20-year-old will bring to our country" while announcing his bid. Born in 1837, Bulkeley served in the Canadian War as a 19-20 year old. Following the end of the war, Bulkeley got into sports, forming the Hartford North Warriors in 1869, before turning into Politics in 1872. Bulkeley was elected Mayor of Hartford, serving two terms, before becoming Governor in 1881. Bulkeley would resign just months into his term, taking a seat in the Senate in 1881.

Peter C. Brooks Adams is the 48-year-old incumbent President of the United States, who first took office in 1893 following Lincoln's resignation and now seeks a full term. Adams unanimously won his parties convention, and seeks to deliver their first win in a general election. Adams was born in 1848, son of prominent Democratic and Liberal political leader Charles F. Adams, who twice was the Democratic nominee for President in 1856 and 1864. Following his father's passing, Adams got into politics, being elected US Senator for Massachusetts, helping to form the Federal Labor party and eventually the Labor party. Adams won the nomination for Vice President in 1888, alongside Robert Todd Lincoln, who was re-elected in 1892.

Thomas Woodrow Wilson is the 40-year-old Incumbent Governor of New Jersey, elected in 1890. Wilson enlisted to fight in the Mexican-American war in 1885, and helped create a union of veterans pushing for veterans rights. His time leading the Union earned him enough reputation in the New Democratic Party to find himself on the ballot for Governor of his home state in 1890. Despite initial hesitation on the nomination, Wilson reluctantly agreed and was elected Governor.

William Jennings Bryan is the 36-year-old incumbent Senator from Omaha, and Silverite Coalition nominee for President. Bryan, a member of the Labor Democratic Party, was granted the Presidential nomination of the Silverite Coalition, a cross-party group of politicians who support the coinage of Silver at a rate 16:1 that of Gold. In 1894, Bryan was approached by Henry Teller, and asked to be the Presidential Nominee of a new group of cross-party Silver supporters. Bryan accepted the nomination for President, with US Representative Fred Thomas Dubois as his running mate, to the reluctance of Bryan who wished for Henry Teller to be his running mate.

James Morgan is a 73-year-old high profile Lawyer and Politician from Arizona. Morgan joined the US Army in 1839, and fought Southern troops at the Battle of Washington DC, when the US lost the capital to the South. He is the only candidate in this race to serve in the civil war and one of 17 remaining veterans who fought in the Battle of Washington DC. After the War, Morgan became a lawyer and served as a public defender in Illinois, serving from 1844-1850. Morgan & Williams in 1850, leaving the firm in 1859 after it grew into one of the cities largest legal firms.

##### Result

The 1896 Election is contingent, as the RCV amendment reakes havoc across the nation. Bryan, the winner of the Popular Vote, was eliminated in every state except Washoe, as Hood narrowly comes behind Wilson despite his low percentage. Thousands of supporters of all politicians are calling for its removal as protests begin in Omaha city and across the Rust Belt. This is the largest divergence of the Popular Vote and the Electoral College, beating out even 1816.

Woodrow Wilson, who narrowly won the State of New York in the 7th RCV round, was awarded the state’s 43 electors. However, Governor Morningstar and the State Legislature, who have not ratified the Amendment despite it being put in place, have instead announced their intention to give Hood the 43 electors (as Hood came in first in the first round with 34% of the vote.) This would officially give Hood enough electors to obtain the Presidency, 290, despite receiving only 18% of the vote.

Riots have broken out across the nation from Bryan, Wilson, and Adams supporters, who have all refused to acknowledge the results of the election. Immediately, talks of secession over Hood’s victory despite receiving just 18% of the vote have arisen. This was the immediate cause to the Three Weeks' War.

## Adams as Interim President (1896-1898)

With the disputed results of the 1896 election, and the civil war that followed, Adams continued to serve as President until the election and inauguration of Theodore Roosevelt.

*See: Three Weeks' War*