u/Emmy-the-online-nerd

The 1867 election would conclude with the result almost everyone expected: Democratic dominance. Secretary George W. Randolph beat Governor Joseph Brown handily, with over two thirds of the vote and an 101-8 margin in the Electoral College. Brown’s defeat was the nail in the coffin for the dying State’s Rights Party, who had been declining since the war’s end.

The 1863 elections saw Pro-Administration landslides. They had 7 of 11 governors seats, 15 of 22 senate seats, and 64 of 87 house seats. The Cotton Whig Party also had 4 house seats, mostly from Tennessee. Jefferson Davis now had the political capital to get most of his legislation comfortably through.

The Confederate Supreme Court would be created in 1864, one of the most notable changes. John J. Allen would be named Chief Justice, the presiding judge along with six others.

The Union’s 1864 Presidential election would see Democrat George McClellan comfortably beat Know-Nothing Nathaniel Banks, with Republican William Seward in a distant third. Pressure from the Democratic Party convinced McClellan to recognize the Confederate States, much to the fury of the dwindling Republicans.

The 1865 elections would see the newly recreated Democratic Party, after Pro-Administration politicians fully joined the party, make gains in both chambers. They would pick up 4 house seats and 2 senate seats, along with Tennessee’s governors race. The Cotton Whig Party would also gain in the house, winning 7 more seats and overtaking the State’s Rights Party. Around this time, the Democratic Party had begun to adopt a state’s rights plank to their platform. While this would take the State’s Rights base and be a crushing blow to the party, it would also boost the Cotton Whigs, who argued for a strong central government.

The last year of Davis’ presidency would be used to establish diplomatic recognition. Several nations globally would come to recognize the new nation, most notably Britain, France, and The Russian Empire. Trade with Europe had been steadily increasing and the economy was improving after the war.

As the 1867 elections would begin, several Democrats would attempt to win at the convention. However, Secretary of War George W. Randolph would quickly emerge as the frontrunner and win at the convention on the second ballot. In a last ditch effort to survive, the State’s Rights Party would nominate governor and figurehead Joseph Brown. While rumors of Alexander Stephens running as a Cotton Whig would spread, he declined to run and the party ultimately didn’t have a candidate.

The congressional races would see Democrats gain Arkansas’ governors mansion, along with one senate seat, however they would lost two house seats. The Cotton Whigs would gain their first two Senate seats, and the State’s Rights party would further lost seats. After the 1867 elections, the State’s Rights party would merge into the Democratic Party, marking the end of the first party system.

How will the second party system work? Will the Cotton Whigs emerge as the new major party or will the Democratic Party keep its dominance in Richmond?

It’s 1862, and the Civil War is behind us. After several quick victories including an attack on Washington DC, the Confederate States of America were granted independence. Now to build their new nation’s government.

The wartime had seen President Jefferson Davis take rights from the states, and enforcing federal power to protect the nation and win the war. While this was successful, it was not without intense resistance. The government was divided between anti-administration and pro-administration factions, with the anti-administration group forming the State’s Rights Party in 1861. Despite this, Jefferson Davis remained popular for his quick victory. With victory settled, the remainder of Davis’ presidency has spent forming the new government and establishing diplomatic relations, particularly with Britain.

As the midterms are approaching, the nation stands at a crossroads. Jefferson Davis remains very popular with the public, and his faction proudly claims victory for Civil War victory. On the other hand, more radical states-rights supporters have defected, along with many Cotton Whigs who oppose Davis on banking and tariffs. This group is lead by governor Joseph Brown, invoking the image of John Calhoun and claiming to support true confederate ideology.

Who will win the country’s first congressional elections? Stay tuned!

While the Civil War was either always inevitable or was bound to happen decades earlier, how long could it be avoided? If someone like John Bell or Stephen Douglas won in 1860, or maybe some events right before the war didn’t happen, could it have been procrastinated? How long could we last being so divided?

I’ve been trying to smile a bit more lately and not just do blank expressions but whenever I do, I feel like it makes me look masculine. Your thoughts?

New proposed district map