Basic History of the United States from 1836 to 1900
see here for events 1900 Onward
1836
- Stuff began to happen, of course, in 1836.
Andrew Jackson is president. His Democratic Party is being challenged by the increasingly powerful Whigs.
- Andrew Jackson leaves after Texas successfully (with U.S. aid) revolts from Mexico. We colonize, stay friendly with Britain, etc.
- The radical Whig Arthur King
is elected president. Economically the U.S. flourishes, but President King's attempts to abolish slavery change little (Maryland basically begins to phase things out). (
King's Inaugural Address)
- Texas has been admitted. Due to Whig pressure, it is admitted as a free state against the slaveowning background of the region. This, along with the pressure that abolitionist President King puts on the South, creates the situation known as "
Bleeding Texas". Lawlessness reigns for awhile in Texas and some of the South.
-
The Davis Compromise changes Texas into a slave state and tries to calm abolitionists and slaveowners. The other major action of the compromise is creating a 1:1 ratio between Northern and Southern soldiers within the U.S. army (to keep the North's population advantage from making a North-centric army, to appease Southerners).
- The Southern National Militia (SNM) merges several militias from the various Southern states. The
Southern Nationalist Party (SNP) forms as the political side of the militia and rapidly gains support in the South. Their membership, which becomes known for quick and disciplined organization, is mostly comprised of former Democrats and the divide weakens the Democratic party for awhile.
1840
- Stained by his association with "Bleeding Texas", Arthur King fails to gain the Whig nomination after his first term. Instead, John F. Cameron becomes the Whig candidate for president. Due to the fear that the SNP will put a southern nationalist into the White House, the weakened Democratic Party merges with the Whig Party to form the
National Union Party. Cameron wins by a landslide against John Hensdale. (
"Died of a Theory" speech by candidate Hensdale) (
Cameron's Inaugural Address)
- Tensions over the Texas-Mexico border, raids in (American) Colorado, etc. break down relations between the United States and Santa Anna's Mexico.
The Mexican American War begins. (
"Banner of Freedom" speech) (
"Why We Fight" speech)
1844
- The Democratic Party breaks out of the National Union coalition and
three parties run for the mid-war elections. President Cameron, the Whig candidate, wins another term. Jeremiah Brass is noted here for his first run for presidency (he did not make the Whig nominations), with his platform promising an end of the war to focus on strengthening America's borders. (
Cameron's Second Inaugural Address)
- The Mexican American War is
ended. The United States acquires California, Nevada, Utah, New Mexico, Arizona, and the disputed border of Texas. The Davis Compromise gave this territory a choice to choose whether they would be slave or free... and the new Western states (known collectively as the Rio Grande region) vote to be admitted as free states.
- Bills passed in this era
regulate militias more powerfully (while still allowing for the Southern Nationalist Militia) and organize programs to
exchange the freedom of slaves for money and land provided by the Federal Government.
1848
- With two-term President Cameron leaving office, and running mate Daniel Gallatin ill, the Whig party finally decides to nominate
James Kerr (a Catholic and a pacifist).
- The SNP shows signs of tension as a secessionist (most leaders of the SNP did not advocate secession from the union) runs for the nominations. The party crumbles as leadership leaves and eventually the entire party merges back with the Democratic Party.
- The Democrats nominate Eldud Walsh, who advocates ignoring the issue of slavery entirely to avoid tensions. With the combined SNP/Democrat support, Eldud is
elected President. (
Walsh's Inaugural Address)
- Internationally, Britain becomes a close friend to the U.S. and Mexico - now under Emperor Pedro, grows closer as well. However, domestically the rising issue of slavery and a slowing economy bring about riots and dissent.
1852
- Derided by his political opponents for trying to ignore the slavery issue, Walsh loses to National Republican (the new name for the Whigs) candidate
Jeremiah Brass. (
Brass' Inaugural Address)
- Brass attempts to dissolve the Southern Nationalist Militia, creating a secessionist rebellion which is put down by loyal SNP brigades and the U.S. army. With a few concessions to southern leaders, Brass pushes through several reforms to reduce the strength of the SNM and other Southern and slaveowning powers. Tensions rise.
1856
- Former president Cameron
returns to challenge Brass for nomination in the National Republicans, which together with tensions and political confusion creates a whole new balance of power:
- The States' Republicans, lead by Cameron, nominate Cameron and former SNP leader (and head of the SNM) Davis as president-vice president in that order.
- The Democratic Republicans, lead by staunch Federalists Brass and Hensdale (a former SNP leader) nominates Hensdale for president and incumbent Brass as vice president.
The Civil War Begins
- Cameron wins the bitterly contested elections as tensions rise even more. The unity government falls apart when Cameron and Davis argue, leading to Davis leaving the administration. (
Cameron's Third and Final Inaugural Address)
- A radical Southern Nationalist, inspired by
a hot-headed speech Davis made, assassinates President Cameron. Since Davis is no longer vice president due to the falling out of the coalition, Senate President pro-tempore Jeremiah Williams becomes President. (
Williams' address to the nation)
- Williams declares he will merge the Department of the South (created in the first of Cameron's terms in order to pacify the South and deal with the issue of slavery with Southern leadership) with the Department of State. The South begins to secede.
- A huge Civil War erupts. Slaves are freed (by both sides, although the actions of the Southern Government in this regard are basically ignored by local authorities). Lots and lots and lots of people die over
three years of fighting.
- Hawaii is annexed near the outbreak of the war as the culmination of peaceful U.S. influence in the region.
1860
- Parties
begin to form again after the chaos that marked the war years. The New Democrats form from those who want a gentler reconstruction, and the left wing elements of politics consolidate into the Libertarian Party.
-
Williams is re-elected president, facing mostly opposition from Mr. Jamous of the New Democratic Party. New Democrat Ignacio Vallejo serves again as Williams' vice president. (as an interesting note, Jamous had also run with a Libertarian as his running mate - only the Libertarian Party had a purely party ticket) (
Williams' Inaugural Address)
- The Union wins the Civil War. The remaining Southern government and people take a last stand as they try to
evacuate some of their loyal supporters to the Spanish island of Cuba. The United States Navy is at hand, but reluctant to fire on vessels carrying mostly civilians. (
Davis' Last Speech)
-
Reconstruction begins and Alaska is purchased from Russia.
1864
- With the departure of President Williams, the Republican party supports Senator Demchack as their
nomination for presidency, with
his rival in the nominations Senator Bachmann as vice president. The Libertarian party supports Martin Beukes with his design of a Trade Union Congress. The New Democrats support Michael Jamous.
- The American Secret Service - the end result of Cameron's organization of government spies - is revealed, hurting the Republican nomination. Meanwhile, allegations of monopolic practices abound as the corporations of Thomas Howard, New Democratic vice presidential nominee, are seen as benefitting greatly from the platform of that party.
Quick retractions save the nomination and Jamous becomes president. (
Jamous' Inaugural Address)
- Pressure is put on Spain to give up the Confederate refugees from Cuba. An alliance with Prussia, resulting in military support when Prussia attempts to unify Germany, is set up to counteract Spain's ally of France. At home, the Panama Canal is built under American supervision, and the economy continues to grow raipdly.
1868
- Jamous' policy of monetarily supporting Bismark's Prussia create a great debate among the parties over foreign policy. Senator Hensdale and Secretary of State Vallejo broke from Jamous' New Democrats to run for the Republicans in the
primary election, and the New Democrats appeared to face a major crisis. Jamous
considered not running, but stayed in the race when no other New Democratic candidate appeared to be his successor. He would face Hensdale as the Republican nominee, and the Libertarian Christopher Bryan.
- Despite the debate over foreign policy, Jamous was
re-elected, with Edward Wilkinson as his Vice President. The Republican Party came in third place, marking an unexpected upset by the often forgotten Libertarian Party.
- Revolutions shake the Americas. The governments of American allies Haiti and Peru are toppled. The exiled Confederate government inspires a small revolution in the American South, leading to further military presence in the reconstruction, and 42,000 Anarchists raise a general uprising throughout the country, known as "Little Anarchy" due to its quick and inglorious defeat.
1872
-
General Maximilian Mandrake, Civil War hero (or horror, depending on who you talk to) used his popularity and a basic 'common sense' platform to gain the Republican nomination and eventually the presidency - facing former Vice President and Industrialist Thomas Howard of the New Democrats and Christopher Bryan of the Libertarian party. (
Mandrake's Inaugural Address)
- The Libertarian party collapsed at last with a fraction of their former voting presence. In its place rose the
Federal Party of the American West, a party that grew in power to become the third major party in American politics.
- The Sioux ambushed Colonel Custer, sparking a minor but still terrible war in the American homeland.
- An anti-monopoly bill is suggested, prompted in part by the continuing rise and acquisitions of Howard Industries and other major firms, but is voted down. [link needed] Bills
to extend healthcare and other benefits to the army, as well as to require nondiscriminatory recruitment also fail.
1876
- The issue of Cuba resurfaces as a major talking point in the primaries and general election. The Republicans
nominate former Vice President Henry Jarvis and support only diplomatic solutions
- The Federals join in a coalition behind Eamon Callahan of the New Democrats (
both parties are more hawkish and suggest war as a possible solution to the Cuban issue) to support their shared policies. As a consequence of this, the Federals gain national recognition and the coalition wins the presidency in a landslide. (
Callahan's Inaugural Address)
- The French Empire
collapses, shaking the balance of power.
-
The Buffalo Conference leads to
an agreement between Britain and the United States, leading to the formation of the Commonwealth of Nations.
- The battleship USS Maine is
sunk in Cuba. Confederate terrorists and Spain are blamed, and America
goes to war.
- The Spanish American War (see the above link "goes to war"), notable for the success of the U.S. Navy and various volunteer regiments, ends with a U.S. victory: the Philippines and Cuba are set up with temporary governments pending plebiscites for statehood or independence.
1880
-
The Federal and Democratic Parties split over issues of Cuba, where the Federalists see President Callahan as being too reluctant to give the nation independence.
- Jarvis runs again for Republican nomination and a strong free market platform. Callahan takes the New Democratic nomination, defending the interim Cuban government (composed of American friendly exiles). The Federalists
nominate Josiah Bridgeworthy over Governer Oliver Glynne and Commodore Daniel Vallejo (both Californians, showing the Western oriented demographics of the party).
- Also notable are the stances each take on foreign affairs given the French revolution and Franco-German war. Certain proponents in the Federal Party wish to support German nations, while others (and Callahan) wish to support France. Bridgeworthy vows to free the French Pacific holdings to dismantle France's colonial empire.
- Federal nominee Bridgeworthy
is voted into the presidency as the Republican party falls into a slump.
- Otto von Bismark seizes Alsace-Lorraine from France and unites the German Empire under the Kingdom of Prussia.
- US per-capita income becomes the highest in the world.
- The "Lost Cause" of the South rises as new authors present the Confederacy and pre-Civil-War South in an idealistic light. A Northern reaction to this literature begins as well, depicting a harsher Confederacy.
- The Danish Virgin Islands are purchased by the Bridgeworthy administration.
1884
- Bridgeworthy announces he will
not seek a second term, and three other men of his administration vie for the Federal nomination (
the Vice President, Secretary of War, and Secretary of State).
- The Republican party struggles to gain support and
disbands.
- The Democratic Party
nominates former president Eamon Callahan while the Federals (especially those who joined the party from the demise of the Republicans) support former war hero and Secretary of War Daniel Vallejo.
-
War trials for the former Confederate government are held, creating great controversy. Many southerners abstain from voting out of disgust for the trials, eventually forming the
State's Conservative Party (later known as the American Conservative Party).
- President Daniel Vallejo is
elected with a landslide victory for the Federals. Democratic Candidate Eamon Callahan
declares the elections fraudulent and calls for a national strike (known simply as the Great Strike). (
Vallejo's Inaugural Address)
- Despite the strike, the U.S. economy surpasses both Britain and France's combined, with several monopolies creating the worlds first billionaires.
- The United Provinces of Central America rise to power and influence the American sphere of influence, moving Mexico away from American influence.
1888
- Vallejo
runs for reelection against Democrat Joe Hayden and Conservative Samuel Lee Davis.
- Federal Party support crumbles for Vallejo, and in fear of Davis' regionalization plans (adding departments for the South, West, and North to coordinate regional activities) Vallejo and Hayden discuss a merger. Party leadership fails to reconcile, though, and Samuel Lee Davis
becomes President. The Federal Party comes a distant third, although Congressionally it still holds power. (
Davis' Inaugural Address)
- Davis' regionalization plans are forced out by the Federal majority Congress.
- The power of the UPCA continues to grow, fighting against U.S. influence, and Chile also grows to great power status.
1892
- The Panic of 1892 shakes the economy and candidates scramble to provide responses to this crisis as the
primary season begins.
- The Democrats nominate
Joe Hayden again, banking on his previous (prophetic, they say) assertions that the economy was going to collapse without his new policies. He defeats incumbent Samuel Davis (Conservative) and nominee Joseph Walker (Federal) to
become president.
- Aside from the South, the economy picks up again, with several monopolies managing to extend their power in their industries. Public outcry begins to shape against these titans of industry even as they prepare to defend their empires.
- Revolutionaries in Peru declare the People's Republic of Peru, a Marxist Communist state.
1896
- Governor Harrison, Trust Buster of New York, and Secretary of State Khur - a pro-business Federal,
compete in a polarized Federal nomination. Joe Hayden runs for a second term as a Democrat, while the ACP chooses Richard Orleans - owner of the monopolistic United Fruit Company. In all primaries, the issue of big businesses is frequently raised.
- The Democratic and Federal parties - both against monopolistic business and for intervention abroad - form a coalition ticket. Democratic nominee Hayden and Federal nominee Harrison are selected as presidential and vice presidential candidates, facing off against pro-trust Richard Orleans in the
national elections.
- A strike at a Standard Oil refinery in Devine, Texas nearly breaks business tycoon Rockefeller's empire when enforcers and strikers clash in a highly public debacle.
- Hayden is elected for a second term (the first to be elected to a second term since Michael Jamous almost 30 years ago) in a
tight political battle between pro- and anti-trust politicians.
- Vice President Harrison heads efforts to break down the major monopolies in America. Former president Samuel Lee Davis heads the defense for most of the titans. Despite Davis' great legal effort and skill, action is slowly taken to dissolve the industry giants.
- In 1897, the Russo-German war begins, shaking the European continent with a long but futile fight. American monetary support goes out to Germany, helping turn back the Russian invasions.
- The United Provinces of Central America threaten the nation of Colombia and force the Panama treaty to bring them under their sphere. American announcements of support, and funding for Central American dissidents, exerts American control in the region again.
- President Joe Hayden is assassinated by the troubled conservative George Banner. Vice-president James Harrison becomes president. (
Harrison's Inaugural Address)
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see here for events 1900 Onward: Wars, Monopolies, Booms, Busts, and More Wars.
See also: A Brief Guide to Major Parties and Political Movements ))