Sunday, November 06, 2005

Whitman Reelected; Nixon Not Kicked Around

November 6th, 2005

in 1851, Charles Henry Dow was born in Connecticut. After a brief period as a journalist covering financial news, Dow joined a monastery and soon began preaching of a better life to be led without concern for money. He developed a character he spoke about, the Dow Average Man, who left the dog-eat-dog world for a richer, spiritual reward.

in 1860, Communist President Walt Whitman is reelected in a landslide against Democrat Andrew Johnson. In his second term, Whitman freed the slaves in the southern states, weathered a brief rebellion by that region, and established new rights for American workers that were unparalleled in western democracy.

in 1861, after the newly-formed Confederate Congress elects Jefferson Davis to its presidency, he immediately sues for peace with the United States. “Upon my weary heart was showered smiles, plaudits, and flowers, but beyond them I saw troubles and thorns innumerable, and I could not lead my beloved South through that,”, he said in his address to the Confederates. He and President Lincoln of the Union worked out the Compromise of 1861 together, in which slavery was slowly abolished in the south over the course of decades.

in 1890, half of rebel Mormon Charles Brigman's followers turn themselves in to the authorities in salt Lake City; they are no longer willing to follow the man after the death of the children at the Morrison farmhouse. In spite of losing so many of his troops, Brigman attacks a federal convoy bringing supplies into Salt Lake City and captures guns, food and ammunition. He is about to become even more dangerous than before.

in 1906, William Randolph Hearst, newspaper tycoon, sweeps into the governor's mansion in New York. Rumors of vote fraud are quickly quieted, as his newspapers soon enjoy a monopoly in the state. From his new position, he is able to run for president in 1912, winning handily. His newspapers then become the official word of the administration, and virtually all others are driven underground; no dissenting words are allowed in Hearst's America.

in 1917, Russian Prime Minister Kerensky saved his position by managing to convince enough soldiers to defend the Winter Palace in St. Petersburg that the Bolsheviks were unable to take it over. Kerensky offered amnesty to any Bolshevik who swore allegiance to the new government the next day, and thousands took him up on the offer, destroying Bolshevik leader Lenin’s power base.

in 1956, Democratic President Adlai Stevenson defeated Wisconsin Senator Joe McCarthy in the general election, sweeping all 50 states and crushing him in the popular vote, 67% to 30%. The Republicans lost control of both houses of Congress and became negligible as a political party for decades because of McCarthy’s defeat.

in 1962, Richard Nixon won the governor’s race in California against Democratic incumbent Edmond Brown. He was reelected in 1966, and used the office for another unsuccessful run at the presidency in 1968. After the loss in ’68, he remarked to reporters, “you won’t have Nixon to kick around anymore.” He left public life after this and devoted himself to memoirs of his life as Vice-President and Governor.

in 1984, Vice-President Walter Mondale, having run a campaign based on being straight and honest with the American voter, finds his reward – he wins the presidential election against Republican President Ronald Reagan, who had mouthed meaningless platitudes in the face of economic disaster and left the economic heavy lifting to the Democratic-controlled Congress.

in 2002, as the fleet of vessels from earth flees the Pleiades, the ship that they had encountered on their way leaves the control of the Air Force pilot inside and launches an attack on Professor Thomas' vessel. He is teleported off his ship and the strange new robot ship shoots away. Dr. Courtney reluctantly orders his small fleet to follow.

Christmas Day Contest! Following up on our Halloween contest, you can enter our next contest, which will be alternate histories for Christmas Day, December 25th, 2005. The same rules will apply, the top ten entries will be posted on that day, and by entering, you grant TIAH the right to electronically print your writing on October 31st, 2005, maintain your writing in our archives, and reprint your entry should we decide to reuse it in the future. TIAH only maintains full copyright over material it has originated that has been used by contestants in writing their own entries. Enter early and often - entries must be received by December 20th, 2005! Email us up to 3 entries of your best alternate Christmas Days!

We still have our standard offer - everybody who donates $10 or more through our Paypal link will become alternate history entries on the site. When you donate, I will email you asking your preference for a day & timeline; if you don't reply to me, I'll place you in a day that seems to fit your name :) Thanks for your continued support!


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Still wishing...


As your humble alternate historian enters the downhill slope of the 40's, he still has his birthday wish - a contract with a publishing company like Workman Publishing to produce a page-a-day calendar of TIAH. If you are an editor for such a company, or can place us in touch with one, please fulfill this belated birthday wish!

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