As I plunge into the actual word crafting phase of my novel, I realize that I have friends who have a more sure understanding of Southern U.S. history than I. If you would find it interesting and have some knowledge of the subject, I would appreciate your insight into the American Civil War/War Between the States. I am primarily interested in the conditions in the aftermath of a hypothetical alternative to reality in which the two antagonists came to a stalemate and ended hostilities with a truce. Some of the facts of my alternate world.
- The war began c. 1862
- France assisted the Confederacy with arms, circumventing the blockade through Mexico
- Truce was called for c. 1864 with armistice terms including the new border between the divided nations fixed in the position at that time
Some of the points I would specifically like your opinions on Leaders of the two nations, CSA and USA. I am especially interested in certain pivotal periods such as: immediately after the end of the war, beginning of 20th century, 1925-1935 period, 1955, present time. Please don’t feel limited to these. I want to hear all you have to opine about. Also, what are your thoughts on the relations between the two nations, sharing a border, yet with wounds, physical and emotional, still fresh.
For the north, at least, you would see people elected to keep the peace. Prowar people would be characterized as “extreme”.
In the south, the leaders would have to ALWAYS be for small, limited government. They’d also have to have the personality to keep independent-minded states working together. More later.
I was asking about actual historical personalities. Who do you think would fit those characteristics?
Gettysburg.
Gettysburg…?
Here’s my perspective:
I would think that the American Civil War, had it ended in a truce, would initially be like the North/South Korea we see today: a no-mans land, not a bunch of interaction (at first). There was so much resentment at the real end of the war (northerners were held in disrepute b/c of the destruction the Southerners endured), that there would be lingering animosity. I do think that slavery would have ended in the late 19th century as the Industrial Revolution swept through the world, but the cultural superiority of the South in regard to African-Americans would have forced them to leave, causing some sort of “Great Migration”.
I don’t think that you would’ve seen the KKK as a movement if there had been peace, mainly because direct persecution of A-As would have still been allowed and probably encouraged.
As a divided country, the US and CS would be less likely to enter world politics in the late 1800s; “peace movements”, which were strong even then, would effectively limit the involvement in the world affairs, probably leading to German victory in WWI.
As for the leaders. Lincoln would never have won a second term in 1864 had the north lost, so a the country would probably be run by pacifist people for a while, at least. The desire then would be for peace and harmony between the US and the CS, leading to a normalization of relations by the turn of the century. In the CSA, the states were so dependent on STATES rights that there would be much friction between the states for a while, potentially leading to a E/W split as their differences grew. Many states were distrustful of one another, and Jefferson Davis really struggled to hold the confederacy together during the war.
I have much more to say, but I thought I’d start with this and see what you thought.
Thanks, Brandon.
I have previously decided on at least two of your ideas. The abolition of slavery due to economic necessity and the impotence of the divided North and South as world powers. In my world, there was no WWI thanks to the leadership of Germany. Rather, the lack of Kaiser Wilhelm as leader of Germany, kept them from getting involved in Austria’s boondoggle with Serbia.
Any thoughts on personalities who might have risen to the presidencies of the North and South?
I’d say from a “personality” standpoint, if you want to see what an anti-war north leader (or leaders) would be, I’d look at these two people:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clement_Vallandigham
and, in his later years:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/George_B._McClellan
One dark horse guy to lead a north-only America would be James Longstreet.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Longstreet
For the south, a leader like Robert E. Lee would have been (more than likely) asked to lead the country.
Jim,
I feel that I could write for weeks on this subject. There are many, many, many points to discuss. I may just email you. I think I will just email you. This will take a while.