The War of the Three Presidents: A Timeline

[The sturm und drang years]

Aaron Burr, Inaugural Address, October 31, 1804


(Source: Wikimedia Commons)

"It is with great gratitude, but with a heavy heart, that I have gathered with you here today to be inaugurated as the next President of the United States. Over the last three years, we have seen such things, such awful things, that we hoped would never come to our country. But the ambitions of one man, he who preceded me in this post and whose name I will not dignify, tore our country asunder. Now he is dead, and we can live peaceably again, but there is still much to be done. Large portions of the country remain devastated, and must be rebuilt. I grieve at the destruction of so many settlements, the great city of Philadelphia among them, and the many lives that were lost.

This, therefore, is a time that will require great reconstruction - not retribution. Though many call for revenge and demand reprisals, these would do us harm. Killing only results in more killing, death in more death. We must heal, and it is only through mercy that we can become whole again. I have thus issued a general clemency for all those men formerly loyal to my predecessor, provided they agree to live in tranquility and no more disturb the peace. In his Farewell Address, President Washington warned us of the spirit of party. We must heed his advice and set aside this rage of party. We are all Republicans, we are all Federalists. We are all men, created equal in the eyes of God, and we must learn to live together on this earth as brothers.

Divers elections are to be held, over the remaining months of the year, for the Presidency and Congress. The Constitution must be followed, and its republican principles upheld. Our democratic institutions are to be immediately restored, and all those political prisoners held in captivity by the previous administration to be released. I shall do all I can to ensure good governance at the local, state, and federal levels. It is essential for our survival as a nation, that we rule in a just and representative fashion.

Finally, I must proclaim my astonishment at my reception as of late. It was most flattering, to a man of modest tastes like myself, to be met with such hospitality, such lavishness in the smallest of towns; that I was nearly overwhelmed by it. I have seen firsthand the enthusiasm at which you have greeted me, and though you ask much, I will do my utmost to repay that trust you have set in me."

[Alben Barkley]

This timeline would make for an epic HBO mini-series or something. The drama between Adams and Jefferson, LaFayette/Hamilton/Burr, etc. would be great. Would also make for a nice counter to that f—king Hamilton musical that portrays that tyrannical bastard as far more heroic than he was. This may go too far in the opposite direction, but it’s in my view closer to Hamilton’s true character and ambitions. Part of the reason he wanted an army really was to essentially suppress the Democratic-Republicans and take authoritarian/monarchical control of the country by force. And it certainly is ironic how Burr becomes the hero in this story, and Hamilton’s death is celebrated. Burr deserves a shot at redemption after his image has been dragged through the mud all these years. You can argue Hamilton had it coming, and it certainly was justified by the rules of the duel they both agreed to. And Burr was also way ahead of his time on issues like rights for women and African-Americans. It’s a shame his legacy has come down to “that guy who shot Hamilton.”

This would also make for a cool Hearts of Iron style strategy game. You could pick one of the Three Presidents to start with at the beginning of the war and struggle with the others to gain control over the country. You could also engage in diplomacy with Britain/France/Spain to win them over to your side, etc.

Very interesting alt-history about a timeline with no peaceful transition of power and an earlier Civil War, in any case. Nicely done.

[KaiserDave]

This timeline would make for an epic HBO mini-series or something. The drama between Adams and Jefferson, LaFayette/Hamilton/Burr, etc. would be great. Would also make for a nice counter to that f—king Hamilton musical that portrays that tyrannical bastard as far more heroic than he was. This may go too far in the opposite direction, but it’s in my view closer to Hamilton’s true character and ambitions. Part of the reason he wanted an army really was to essentially suppress the Democratic-Republicans and take authoritarian/monarchical control of the country by force. And it certainly is ironic how Burr becomes the hero in this story, and Hamilton’s death is celebrated. Burr deserves a shot at redemption after his image has been dragged through the mud all these years. You can argue Hamilton had it coming, and it certainly was justified by the rules of the duel they both agreed to. And Burr was also way ahead of his time on issues like rights for women and African-Americans. It’s a shame his legacy has come down to “that guy who shot Hamilton.”

This would also make for a cool Hearts of Iron style strategy game. You could pick one of the Three Presidents to start with at the beginning of the war and struggle with the others to gain control over the country. You could also engage in diplomacy with Britain/France/Spain to win them over to your side, etc.

Very interesting alt-history about a timeline with no peaceful transition of power and an earlier Civil War, in any case. Nicely done.

Here’s a nice idea

Wow
Very well thought out

I’d watch that show and play that game

What we need too is flags for each faction?