This is a timeline for the scenario Alternate America.
Foundation of the Nation (1787-1812)
1787- The Constitution is signed into effect. This is the POD. The Constitution consists of the duties of the three branches of government. The Constitution does not create a House of Representatives, and thus only a Senate exists.
1789-
- The first elections in the United States are held. George Washington is elected the first president and is not a member of any political party.
- The First Senate consists of 19 Constitutionalists and 7 Anti-Constitutionalists.
- The original thirteen colonies are recognized as states.
1790-The Second Senate consists of 16 Constitutionalists and 10 Anti-Constitutionalists.
1791-
- Vermont becomes a state.
- The Senate passes the Bill of Rights. There are ten amendments that guarantee:
- 1) freedom of expression,
- 2)right to bear arms,
- 3) protection from quartering of troops,
- 4) protection from unreasonable search and seizure,
- 5) due process, eminent domain, self-incrimination, double jeapordy,
- 6) trial by jury, rights of the accused,
- 7) civil trial by jury,
- 8) protection from cruel/unusual punishment,
- 9) protection of rights not defined by Constitution,
- 10) power of states and the people.
1792-
- George Washington is re-elected presdient.
- The Third Senate consists of 18 Constitutionalists and 12 Anti-Constitutionalists.
- Kentucky becomes a state.
1794-
- The Fourth Senate is split between 15 members of the Constitutionalist Party and 15 members of the Anti-Constitutionalist Party. The Anti-Constitutionalists pick up key voters in the Mid Atlantic and New England with their liberal stance on the government's involvement in the economy.
- President George Washington leads 20,000 men to put down the Whiskey Rebellion in Pennsylvania, a rebellion that protested the liquor tax.
- The Battle of Fallen Timbers. Anthony Wayne leads American forces to defeat Native American forces in southern Ohio that leads to the Treaty of Greenville.
1795-
- The Treaty of Greenville is signed between the US and over 20 Native American tribes in southern Ohio, giving the United States total control of the region.
- Jay's Treaty is signed between the United States and the United Kingdom allowing free trade between the nations.
1796-
- Tennessee becomes a state.
- Border skirmishes between American and Spanish colonists around Florida.
- Political parties are created. The Libertarian Party, Democratic-Republican Party, and the Federalist Party become the major political parties.
- John Adams of the Federalist Party is elected president of the United States.
- The Fifth Senate consists of 16 Democratic-Republicans, 9 Federalists, and 5 Libertarians.
- President Washington issues the Tripoli Statement, which states that the United States will invade Tripoli if their nation doesn't stop their rampant pirating problem.
1797-
- The XYZ Affair. John Adams cuts off diplomatic and economic relations with France.
- The US economy progresses into recession.
- President Adams authorizes a naval engagement that will attack French cargo ships in the Atlantic Ocean.
1798-
- The 6th Senate consists of 19 Democratic-Republicans, 7 Libertarians, and 6 Federalists.
- The Approval Rating of John Adams falls to 40-45%, based on his dealing with the XYZ Affair and his failure to veto the Alien and Sedition Acts.
1799-
- The French navy bombs U.S. ports in New Jersey and New York. The United States declares war on France in what will become known as the Napoleonic-American War.
- The Logan Act is passed, preventing unauthorized U.S. citizens from negotiating with foreign nations.
1800-
- John Adams is re-elected president of the United States.
- The 7th Senate consists of 15 Democratic-Republicans, 12 Federalists, and 5 Libertarians.
- President Adams leads an army to invade French-controlled Haiti.
1801-
- The United States and the United Kingdom sign the Treaty of Cardiff, a military and economic alliance that expires when Napoleonic France is defeated.
- American troops conquer French Haiti.
- John Adams leads his army to siege New Orleans.
1802-
- The British send 10,000 infantrymen to help the Americans siege New Orleans, while the Americans send a fleet of 25 ships to battle the French in the Bay of Biscay and English Channel.
- The 8th Senate consists of 14 Federalists (who take the majority), 10 Democratic-Republicans, and 6 Libertarians.
1803-
- American forces capture New Orleans. US troops move through the Mississippi River valley, destroying French outposts.
- The U.S. Navy bombs French fortresses in Corsica, Tuscany.
- The Treaty of Artois is signed between the United States and France, effectively ending the Napoleonic-American War. The French give Haiti and Louisiana Territory to the United States.
- The British relinquish the agreements from Jay's Treaty. British anti-American sentiments begin again as the British feel the U.S. bailed out after their pledge to end Napoleon's reign.
- Ohio becomes a state.
- Maine becomes an independent state from Massachusetts.
1804-
- The 9th Senate consists of 13 Libertarians, 13 Federalists, and 10 Democratic-Republicans.
- Thomas Jefferson is elected president of the United States as a member of the Libertarian Party.
- The Eleventh Amendment is passed, which establishes the electoral college and the determining of how states vote for a candidate. The faithless elector is abolished.
- Aaron Burr kills Alexander Hamilton in a duel.
- The government hires Meriwether Lewis and William Clark to explore the Louisiana Territory.
1805-The Twelfth Amendment is passed. This amendment abolishes 'laws that restrict one man's actions that do not have a negative effect on another man.'
1806-THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY LIBERTARIANS.
1807-
- The United States purchases New Found Land from the United Kingdom for a total sum of $32,000,000.
- The Embargo Act is passed, preventing the United States from trading with France or the United Kingdom. The U.S. economy slides into recession.
- Thomas Jefferson is asssassinated in South Carolina. Vice President George Clinton becomes the president.
1808-
- DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN JAMES MADISON IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
1810-
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
- Haiti becomes a state.
The American Nation Grows (1812-1849)
1812-
- JAMES MADISON IS RE-ELECTED BY A NARROW MARGIN.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY FEDERALISTS.
- The United Kingdom declares war on the United States for "supporting the French" by allowing the French Navy to house ships in American harbors for large rental fees. Thus begins the War of 1812.
- American troops move into Ontario. The US Navy bombs Nassau, Bahamas.
- Louisiana becomes a state.
1813-
- President Madison begins a program to finance the war by selling land in the west. Also, he promises anyone who serves in the war "100 acres past Ohio."
- American forces take Montreal.
- American and British navies clash around the Bahamas and Florida.
1814-
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY THE FEDERALISTS.
- The British fail to invade Maryland.
- General Andrew Jackson leads an army of 20,000 men to invade Ireland.
1815-
- The United States captures Jamaica.
- General Jackson's army in Ireland wins the Battle of Belfast. The United States gains control of Ireland.
- The Peace of Ghent is signed. The US and UK end the war. Great Britain is forced to give Ontario, Nova Scotia, the Bahamas, Jamaica, and Mosquito Coast (now Belize) to the United States.
1816-
- JOHN QUINCY ADAMS, A FEDERALIST, IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY FEDERALISTS.
- Indiana becomes a state.
1817-
- Mississippi becomes a state.
- New Found Land becomes a state.
- John Quincy Adams accused of cheating on his wife. His approval rating drops to 40-42%.
1818-
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
- Illinois becomes a state.
1819-
- The United States purchases Florida for $5,000,000 from Spain.
- Alabama becomes a state.
1820-
- JAMES MONROE, A DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICAN, IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
- Ontario becomes a state.
1821-
- Mexican rebels raid Louisiana cities. Andrew Jackson leads 15,000 men to defeat the Mexican rebellions in Texas and Oklahoma, and occupies the region afterwards.
- Texas and Oklahoma annexed to the United States.
- Missouri becomes a state.
1822-THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
1823-
- The Monroe Doctrine is issued by President Monroe stating that Europeans cannot expand into the Americas anymore.
- Massive Irish immigration to the United States begins.
- Nova Scotia becomes a state.
1824-
- JACKSON IS ELECTED PRESIDENT AS A LIBERTARIAN.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY LIBERTARIANS.
- The United States creates a colony in Liberia for freed (and in many cases runaway) slaves to settle.
1826-
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY LIBERTARIANS.
- Panic of 1826. President Jackson raises import tariffs to increase American business.
- The Bahamas become a state.
1827-The United States orders the United Kingdom to give the United States military and political control of Ireland. This Irish Demand is praised by conservatives who wanted to stop the Irish from coming to the US and by liberals who wanted to help the Irish improve their living standards.
1828-
- JACKSON IS RE-ELECTED PRESIDENT AS A LIBERTARIAN.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY LIBERTARIANS.
1830-THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY FEDERALISTS.
1831-
- Jackson begins a $500,000,000 military update program.
- Liberia becomes a state.
- The Indian Acceptance Act is passed. Americans can not forcefully remove Indians from their territory, but they can purchase the land.
1832-
- JAMES L. STOLKES OF THE ANTI-MASONIC PARTY IS ELECTED PRESIDENT.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY FEDERALISTS.
1833-
- Upon inauguration James L. Stolkes and his vice president are shot.
- The Senate passes the thirteenth amendment, establishing a line of succession to the president. The President Pro Tempore of the Senate is designated to be the next president, and John Marrow (a Federalist) is the next president of the United States. Many conspiracies exist about whether the Masons killed Stolkes.
- Public opinion turns against the Federalists.
1834-
- President Marrow proposes a law banning the Anti-Masonic Party, as it poses a threat to Masons. Many consider this law a way for Marrow to increase his power.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATS.
1835-
- Ireland becomes a state.
1836-
- WILLIAM HENRY HARRISON IS ELECTED PRESIDENT AS A LIBERTARIAN.
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY DEMOCRATIC-REPUBLICANS.
- Arkansas becomes a state.
1837-
- Economic depression resulting from the Irish Potato Famine and, as a result, the failing US agricultural stocks. President Harrison temporarily suspends the federal agriculture tax as well as the Trans-Atlantic Trade Tax, which allows potatoes from Ireland to reach the US for lower prices. The economy picks up by year's end.
- Michigan becomes a state.
1838-
- THE SENATE IS CONTROLLED BY LIBERTARIANS.
- Jamaica becomes a state.
- Belize becomes a state.