What follows is my hope to be a successful, long term Alternate History. Comment, criticisms, and flaming are welcome.
Prologue
It had been a long day and Thomas had just finished his work, a pamphlet he hoped would change the world. He pushed the door into the nearby pub and sat down for a drink. The fire warmed his skin that had become frozen in the cold December weather in Philadelphia, while the ale warmed his blood. It was good evening and soon his homeland would be free from that damned English tyrant.
Unfortunately, not all the people in the bar were intelligent enough to see the wisdom of independence. They came in not long after Thomas did and sat at the other side of the bar, but as the hours went on, and the ale began to affect their faculties, they became louder and louder until, two hours after they arrived, they held up their mugs and toasted George III. That was it, for a moment the entire bar was silent, and then all hell was unleashed.
At first the brawl was targeted the three men who made the toast, but before long the melee had gotten out of control and became a free-for-all. Thomas was one of the first people to move toward the foolish loyalist traitors; unfortunately the man he chose to take a swing at was armed. He was stabbed in the stomach and fell to the ground. He tried to hold his wound, but before long his hands were covered in warm, red blood. The brawl meant that no one saw him fall and by the time it was broken up, Thomas was dead and his belongings, including his pamphlet, were trampled beyond recognition. Thomas Paine’s funeral was held on January 1st, 1776 and attended by a number of prominent Philadelphia patriots and leaders of the revolution.
From the Library of Congress, dated October 21, 1777
Dear General Benedict Arnold,
It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude that we hope this letter finds you well. Your victory at Saratoga [1] has saved the union and given hope to the men and women of the United States. Rest assured that your actions have not gone unnoted and the people firmly appreciate your service.
It is therefore right, that we restore to you what was denied to you earlier. We are proud, if belated, to restore your seniority over your compatriots. Further, because of your service we have seen fit to award you this letter, which should be considered an official letter of Thanks from Congress and the People of the United States of America. Finally, have no doubt that from now on the eyes of the nation will be upon you and no one will ever again doubt your commitment to our noble cause.
With Sincere Respect and Gratitude,
The Congress of the United States
Letter addressed to General Benedict Arnold in thanks for leading American forces at the Battle of Saratoga
(Excerpted from Founding Liberty: America from 1776 to 1787 by Dr. Reginald Harper and General Sir Colin Fitzhugh, GCO, DSO, Columbia University Press, KoA)
…Shays’ Rebellion, more than any other singular event heralded the death knell for the Articles of Confederation, and what was then known as the United States of America. [2]
The difficulties that caused the Rebellion were many, but it basically evolved from the failures of Federal and State governments to address the problems of debt relief in the post revolution United States. As poor farmers could not pay their debts, they were thrown into debtor’s prison and their lands taken from them. Daniel Shays was one such man in Massachusetts, where he joined other disgruntled and mistreated men in peacefully protesting the Massachusetts state government.
At first, the group of dissenters had protested peacefully, much like the early revolutionaries had done. However, this situation began to change on September 10, 1786, Revolutionary War Veteran Luke Day and a group of other War veterans faced off against a militia guarding the Springfield Court House where cases were being heard. The militia, however, was composed of numerous other veterans and they quickly changed sides. It had appeared that “Day’s Militia” had won the day.
However, when word reached Boston, Governor James Bowdoin was horrified and dispatched a militia of loyal men to arrest Day and his men. Further, he convened the State Legislature, which passed Riot Act that suspended Habeas Corpus. Samuel Adams, the author of the bill, claimed that the “foreign powers had instigated the commoners to treason.” When the Boston Militia arrived in Springfield, things did not go well. A brief firefight ensued between Day’s Militia and the Boston forces, resulting in seven people dead and twelve wounded. The violence only stopped when Luke Day surrendered his forces, saying he did not want more blood on his hands.
This did not end the violence, however. As word spread that Day had surrendered and that he, and his men, were being marched back to Boston for trial, Shays began raising an army. He led nearly two hundred men on an ambush of the Boston Militia to free Day and his men. They quickly overwhelmed the Bostonians, under General Benjamin Lincoln, and forced Lincoln to release the prisoners.
From then on Shays became a legend. Hundred of farmers and former soldiers flocked to their camps in western Massachusetts. Winter came early that year and, as winter set in, neither side made a move as they waited for the spring thaw. Shays and Day used that time to train their men and plan. The Governor used that time to appeal to Philadelphia for aid.
The response from Philadelphia was one of confusion and panic. All the delegates their agreed that the situation was one that must be stopped immediately, however they disagreed on the appropriate course of action. Some wanted to raise an army; some wanted to call up the militias. However, no state would agree to send their militia without repayment, and Massachusetts refused to fit the bill. As a result, the winter was squandered by the Federal Government.
At the end of January, 1787, the Boston Militia was ordered to Springfield to bolster the 900 man Springfield Militia. Shays and Day were planning on raiding the Springfield Armory at some point in the spring to seize the weapons there. However, they knew that if Lincoln and his 3000 men arrived, they would never succeed in their goal. Therefore, they accelerated their plans.
On January 26, 1787, 1500 rebels, led by Shays and Day marched on the Armory. The Springfield Militia, led by General William Shepherd attempted to fire a warning shot, resulting Shaysites died. When the rebels continued to advance, however, Shepherd’s men began to panic and flee. Many of them were in a similar economic situation to Shays men, and not really as well motivated or equipped. As a result, Shepherd’s men quickly began to flee, surrender, or even switch sides. The battle, which would come to be known as the Battle of Springfield Armory, lasted less than an hour, but when it was finished the rebels were in possession of enough rifles, muskets, ammunition, and powder to supply them for a long time.
The next day, January 27, 1787, Lincoln and the Boston Militia arrived in Springfield and demanded Shays’ and Day’s surrender. Now, however, the rebels refused and the Battle of Springfield was held. The battle actually occurred just outside of the town in the fields to the east of the city. The rebels totaled just under 2000, while Lincoln’s men nearly 3000. However, the rebels had armed themselves with the armory weapons, they were fresh, and their morale was high. Lincoln’s men made the first move, four hundred advancing confidently across the field, believing that the rebels would break and run. Day and Shays’ men held fast, however, and held their fire until the militia was barely fifty yards away. When Day and Shays did give the order, seventy-five men went down dead or wounded, another thirty broke ranks and ran immediately. Lincoln now ordered all but two hundred men forward. The rebels, now in hand to hand combat with the remaining four hundred men of the initial attack began to falter and retreat. Lincoln ordered his men to charge and wipe out the rebellion. Day and Shays, however, managed to rally their man at the back of the field and began pushing Lincoln back. Finally, three hours after the battle had begun; Lincoln’s men broke and retreated. Lincoln, himself, led the retreat, riding all the way back to Boston.
Now, the Governor and people of Boston were in near panic. The Federal Government, meanwhile, had finally reached a compromise in which state militias would be called forth from the nearby states and Massachusetts would cover half the costs. The rebels had now reached mythic status in Massachusetts and were beginning to be joined by farmers and other men from all of New England. By February 20, 1787, the rebel numbers were approximately 2500 in number.
After the Battle of Springfield Shays and Day were divided on what to do next, Day recommended negotiating while Shays wanted to march on Boston. What exactly happened next is not known, however, what is known is that Luke Day was shot and killed leaving the camp on March 1, and on March 4 Shays led the army on a march to Boston.
By this time, however, troops from New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Virginia had all arrived and were dug in around Boston. Further, cannons had been placed in support of these militia troops. On March 6, 1787 Shays army arrived outside of Boston. They were greeted with a call to surrender, telling them they would be given amnesty if they surrendered immediately. Shays army arrived with 3500 men, it is estimated that of them five hundred dropped their arms and ran following the call to surrender.
The ensuing battle was more of a slaughter than a real battle. Shays men advanced into the teeth of well defended lines where they were outnumbered and outgunned. The battle last two hours, and when it was finished two/thirds of Shays’ men, including Shays himself, were dead. The rest had surrendered or fled. Only one hundred of the
In the aftermath of the Battle, the landed ruling class of the United States was compelled to reassess the Articles of Confederation. While there had been calls for reform before, it was never given serious consideration. Now, the entire leadership of the country was ready for reform. Something that would protect private property rights from infringement by local majorities. It was believed that the democratic ideal of the nation had “gotten out of hand” and needed to be “controlled,” as Alexander Hamilton stated.
However, at the same time private property rights were what stemmed the Rebellion in the first place, as a result a careful compromise would need to be struck. James Madison summed up the entire situation in one careful phrase, “Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as the abuses of power.”
What would come from this are of course the chaotic Philadelphia Convention and the penning of the Constitution, ending the dysfunction of the United States of America and replacing it with the Kingdom of America.
[1] – Gates falls from his horse while preparing for the battle and Arnold takes command. He is never injured, never goes to Philadelphia, and never meets the Shippen bitch. Instead he is made Washington’s second in command and leads a much more successful attack at the Battle of Monmouth. However, the war goes similar to OTL, ending in 1781 with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
[2] – Shays’s Rebellion goes much worse TTL
Prologue
It had been a long day and Thomas had just finished his work, a pamphlet he hoped would change the world. He pushed the door into the nearby pub and sat down for a drink. The fire warmed his skin that had become frozen in the cold December weather in Philadelphia, while the ale warmed his blood. It was good evening and soon his homeland would be free from that damned English tyrant.
Unfortunately, not all the people in the bar were intelligent enough to see the wisdom of independence. They came in not long after Thomas did and sat at the other side of the bar, but as the hours went on, and the ale began to affect their faculties, they became louder and louder until, two hours after they arrived, they held up their mugs and toasted George III. That was it, for a moment the entire bar was silent, and then all hell was unleashed.
At first the brawl was targeted the three men who made the toast, but before long the melee had gotten out of control and became a free-for-all. Thomas was one of the first people to move toward the foolish loyalist traitors; unfortunately the man he chose to take a swing at was armed. He was stabbed in the stomach and fell to the ground. He tried to hold his wound, but before long his hands were covered in warm, red blood. The brawl meant that no one saw him fall and by the time it was broken up, Thomas was dead and his belongings, including his pamphlet, were trampled beyond recognition. Thomas Paine’s funeral was held on January 1st, 1776 and attended by a number of prominent Philadelphia patriots and leaders of the revolution.
From the Library of Congress, dated October 21, 1777
Dear General Benedict Arnold,
It is with heartfelt thanks and gratitude that we hope this letter finds you well. Your victory at Saratoga [1] has saved the union and given hope to the men and women of the United States. Rest assured that your actions have not gone unnoted and the people firmly appreciate your service.
It is therefore right, that we restore to you what was denied to you earlier. We are proud, if belated, to restore your seniority over your compatriots. Further, because of your service we have seen fit to award you this letter, which should be considered an official letter of Thanks from Congress and the People of the United States of America. Finally, have no doubt that from now on the eyes of the nation will be upon you and no one will ever again doubt your commitment to our noble cause.
With Sincere Respect and Gratitude,
The Congress of the United States
Letter addressed to General Benedict Arnold in thanks for leading American forces at the Battle of Saratoga
(Excerpted from Founding Liberty: America from 1776 to 1787 by Dr. Reginald Harper and General Sir Colin Fitzhugh, GCO, DSO, Columbia University Press, KoA)
…Shays’ Rebellion, more than any other singular event heralded the death knell for the Articles of Confederation, and what was then known as the United States of America. [2]
The difficulties that caused the Rebellion were many, but it basically evolved from the failures of Federal and State governments to address the problems of debt relief in the post revolution United States. As poor farmers could not pay their debts, they were thrown into debtor’s prison and their lands taken from them. Daniel Shays was one such man in Massachusetts, where he joined other disgruntled and mistreated men in peacefully protesting the Massachusetts state government.
At first, the group of dissenters had protested peacefully, much like the early revolutionaries had done. However, this situation began to change on September 10, 1786, Revolutionary War Veteran Luke Day and a group of other War veterans faced off against a militia guarding the Springfield Court House where cases were being heard. The militia, however, was composed of numerous other veterans and they quickly changed sides. It had appeared that “Day’s Militia” had won the day.
However, when word reached Boston, Governor James Bowdoin was horrified and dispatched a militia of loyal men to arrest Day and his men. Further, he convened the State Legislature, which passed Riot Act that suspended Habeas Corpus. Samuel Adams, the author of the bill, claimed that the “foreign powers had instigated the commoners to treason.” When the Boston Militia arrived in Springfield, things did not go well. A brief firefight ensued between Day’s Militia and the Boston forces, resulting in seven people dead and twelve wounded. The violence only stopped when Luke Day surrendered his forces, saying he did not want more blood on his hands.
This did not end the violence, however. As word spread that Day had surrendered and that he, and his men, were being marched back to Boston for trial, Shays began raising an army. He led nearly two hundred men on an ambush of the Boston Militia to free Day and his men. They quickly overwhelmed the Bostonians, under General Benjamin Lincoln, and forced Lincoln to release the prisoners.
From then on Shays became a legend. Hundred of farmers and former soldiers flocked to their camps in western Massachusetts. Winter came early that year and, as winter set in, neither side made a move as they waited for the spring thaw. Shays and Day used that time to train their men and plan. The Governor used that time to appeal to Philadelphia for aid.
The response from Philadelphia was one of confusion and panic. All the delegates their agreed that the situation was one that must be stopped immediately, however they disagreed on the appropriate course of action. Some wanted to raise an army; some wanted to call up the militias. However, no state would agree to send their militia without repayment, and Massachusetts refused to fit the bill. As a result, the winter was squandered by the Federal Government.
At the end of January, 1787, the Boston Militia was ordered to Springfield to bolster the 900 man Springfield Militia. Shays and Day were planning on raiding the Springfield Armory at some point in the spring to seize the weapons there. However, they knew that if Lincoln and his 3000 men arrived, they would never succeed in their goal. Therefore, they accelerated their plans.
On January 26, 1787, 1500 rebels, led by Shays and Day marched on the Armory. The Springfield Militia, led by General William Shepherd attempted to fire a warning shot, resulting Shaysites died. When the rebels continued to advance, however, Shepherd’s men began to panic and flee. Many of them were in a similar economic situation to Shays men, and not really as well motivated or equipped. As a result, Shepherd’s men quickly began to flee, surrender, or even switch sides. The battle, which would come to be known as the Battle of Springfield Armory, lasted less than an hour, but when it was finished the rebels were in possession of enough rifles, muskets, ammunition, and powder to supply them for a long time.
The next day, January 27, 1787, Lincoln and the Boston Militia arrived in Springfield and demanded Shays’ and Day’s surrender. Now, however, the rebels refused and the Battle of Springfield was held. The battle actually occurred just outside of the town in the fields to the east of the city. The rebels totaled just under 2000, while Lincoln’s men nearly 3000. However, the rebels had armed themselves with the armory weapons, they were fresh, and their morale was high. Lincoln’s men made the first move, four hundred advancing confidently across the field, believing that the rebels would break and run. Day and Shays’ men held fast, however, and held their fire until the militia was barely fifty yards away. When Day and Shays did give the order, seventy-five men went down dead or wounded, another thirty broke ranks and ran immediately. Lincoln now ordered all but two hundred men forward. The rebels, now in hand to hand combat with the remaining four hundred men of the initial attack began to falter and retreat. Lincoln ordered his men to charge and wipe out the rebellion. Day and Shays, however, managed to rally their man at the back of the field and began pushing Lincoln back. Finally, three hours after the battle had begun; Lincoln’s men broke and retreated. Lincoln, himself, led the retreat, riding all the way back to Boston.
Now, the Governor and people of Boston were in near panic. The Federal Government, meanwhile, had finally reached a compromise in which state militias would be called forth from the nearby states and Massachusetts would cover half the costs. The rebels had now reached mythic status in Massachusetts and were beginning to be joined by farmers and other men from all of New England. By February 20, 1787, the rebel numbers were approximately 2500 in number.
After the Battle of Springfield Shays and Day were divided on what to do next, Day recommended negotiating while Shays wanted to march on Boston. What exactly happened next is not known, however, what is known is that Luke Day was shot and killed leaving the camp on March 1, and on March 4 Shays led the army on a march to Boston.
By this time, however, troops from New York, Connecticut, New Hampshire, and Virginia had all arrived and were dug in around Boston. Further, cannons had been placed in support of these militia troops. On March 6, 1787 Shays army arrived outside of Boston. They were greeted with a call to surrender, telling them they would be given amnesty if they surrendered immediately. Shays army arrived with 3500 men, it is estimated that of them five hundred dropped their arms and ran following the call to surrender.
The ensuing battle was more of a slaughter than a real battle. Shays men advanced into the teeth of well defended lines where they were outnumbered and outgunned. The battle last two hours, and when it was finished two/thirds of Shays’ men, including Shays himself, were dead. The rest had surrendered or fled. Only one hundred of the
In the aftermath of the Battle, the landed ruling class of the United States was compelled to reassess the Articles of Confederation. While there had been calls for reform before, it was never given serious consideration. Now, the entire leadership of the country was ready for reform. Something that would protect private property rights from infringement by local majorities. It was believed that the democratic ideal of the nation had “gotten out of hand” and needed to be “controlled,” as Alexander Hamilton stated.
However, at the same time private property rights were what stemmed the Rebellion in the first place, as a result a careful compromise would need to be struck. James Madison summed up the entire situation in one careful phrase, “Liberty may be endangered by the abuses of liberty as well as the abuses of power.”
What would come from this are of course the chaotic Philadelphia Convention and the penning of the Constitution, ending the dysfunction of the United States of America and replacing it with the Kingdom of America.
[1] – Gates falls from his horse while preparing for the battle and Arnold takes command. He is never injured, never goes to Philadelphia, and never meets the Shippen bitch. Instead he is made Washington’s second in command and leads a much more successful attack at the Battle of Monmouth. However, the war goes similar to OTL, ending in 1781 with the Treaty of Paris in 1783.
[2] – Shays’s Rebellion goes much worse TTL
. See above to your second question.