270sims Campaigns

United States – 1864 – Alternate

This is based off of vcczar’s 1864 election campaign.  I got his permission to use it.

This is the what-if version of that.  What if Tennessee and Louisiana’s electoral votes counted?

*This scenario was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on July 27, 2017. Version 2.0 can be downloaded here: United States – 1864 v. 2.0

This election takes place during the Civil War. Despite the twin victories of Gettysburg and Vicksburg, Lincoln’s reelection is far from certain as the war seems far from over. Lincoln’s reelection hinges around military success. The Democrats, meanwhile, are split between Peace Democrats and War Democrats.

For Republicans, President Abraham Lincoln ran mostly unopposed (Grant, who was not running, would get token opposition votes from Missouri). Salmon P. Chase and Benjamin Wade considered running in the election (as they would in 1868), but ultimately backed out.

For Democrats, the front runner is General George B. McClellan, who was an adversary of Lincoln, whom the president removed from campaign following a very timid military career early in the war. He was a War Democrat, favoring continuing the war, but would follow the Peace Platform if nominated. Thomas H. Seymour, a Peace Democrat, and Charles O’Conor, a Bourbon Democrat, were his strongest competitors.

There are no ON 3rd Parties

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Lincoln was challenged by leading Radical Republicans Salmon P. Chase, Benjamin Wade, Charles Sumner, Simon Cameron and more?
• What if Radical Republicans convinced the popular Ulysses S. Grant to give up his military duties and challenge Lincoln for the presidency?
• Many Democrats decided not to challenge Lincoln, believing it was a lost cause. What if leading Democrats Horatio Seymour, former president Franklin Pierce, Governor Andrew Johnson, former president James Buchanan, former president Millard Fillmore and others ran anyway?
• Radical Republicans opposed to Lincoln’s leniency attempted to run a 3rd Party, which fell apart not too long after their convention. What if John C. Fremont or Ulysses S. Grant led the Radical Democracy Party against the two primary parties?

Feedback is desired

Version 2.0 (w/ events added by Davis Os)

*This scenario has been greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on July 27, 2017. You can download version 3.0 here: United States – 1868 v. 3.0

This election takes place three years following the Civil War and the assassination of Abraham Lincoln. The two major issues are the radical Republican brand of Reconstruction, which was a departure of Abraham Lincoln’s planned lenient Reconstruction, and the second major issue is charges of abuse of power against incumbent President Andrew Johnson.

For Republicans, the nomination was unanimous for victorious Union General Ulysses S. Grant, who had just recently declared that he was a Republican. Salmon P. Chase and Benjamin Wade, both of Ohio, had considered a run for the presidency, but dropped out when Grant jumped in. They couldn’t hope to compete with the leading living Northern hero of the Civil War.

For the Democrats, the party tried to show support for Andrew Johnson while also scrounging for a more competent replacement for him. Former Ohio Representative George H. Pendleton was the leading front-runner, with Thomas Hendricks, General Winfield Scott Hancock, incumbent President Andrew Johnson, and many others also in the race. However, a dark horse compromise candidate, who would have probably been the front-runner if he actively campaigned, was popular former New York governor Horatio Seymour.

No third parties are ON for this election.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Salmon P. Chase and Benjamin Wade had stayed in the race to compete against Grant?
• What if several other leading Republicans joined the race, such as William Seward, Roscoe Conkling, Simon Cameron, Charles Sumner, John C. Fremont and many more.
• What if Abraham Lincoln had not been assassinated and ran for a 3rd term? Shot at the height of his achievements, would he have retained his popularity against a Radical Republican congress that vehemently opposed his lenient Reconstruction. Could he keep on the campaign while rapidly ailing to what some historians think was Marfan’s Syndrome?
• What if several other notable Democrats ran for the nomination? These include, 1864 nominee George B. McClellan, former president Franklin Pierce, John Quincy Adams II and others.
• What if the Constitutional Union party reemerged to find a middle ground for Americans. Former president Millard Fillmore leads this what-if 3rd party.

Version 2.0 by OS Davis included events, a few new issues, and two new minor parties: Equal Rights and Prohibition.

Version 3.0 was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on July 27, 2017. Download here: United States – 1872 v. 3.0

*****

The 1872 election is one of the most bizarre elections in our history. President Grant’s first term was highly controversial, involving scandals and Radical Republican Reconstruction legislation. The corruption of the administration bothered both Democrats and Republicans. However, Grant was still personally popular, as he was perceived to have been mostly beyond the scandals of his administration. As such, a disorganized Democratic Party, weakened by Reconstruction, united with unhappy, reform-minded Republicans in strengthening a new party–the Liberal Republican Party.

For the Republican, Grant and his backers had such a strong hold on that party, that he was unchallenged for the nomination, despite the controversial first term.

The Liberal Republicans field many interesting candidates, but none as powerful a figure as President Grant. The leading candidates were:eccentric newspaper editor, Horace Greeley, and former ambassador, and son of president John Quincy Adams and grandson of president John Adams, Charles Francis Adams, who had kept the British from aiding the Confederacy during the Civil War. Other candidates include popular Missouri politician Benjamin Gratz Brown, well-known civil right activist Lyman Trumbull, Supreme Court Judge David Davis, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court Salmon P. Chase and ambassador Andrew Curtin.

The Bourbon Democrats is the third part for this election. They were conservative, pro-business Democrats that would not endorse the Liberal Republicans. The candidates selected were Charles O’Conor and John Quincy Adams II, the son of the ambassador mentioned above. Both candidates refused to join this third party, but they were on the ballots anyway.

This election has many what-if scenarios:

• What if several Republicans ganged up on Ulysses S. Grant and his corrupt political machine and fielded several candidates from many states in order to hold as many delegates as possible, so that they could choose a reform candidate? These candidates include Rutherford B. Hayes, James G. Blaine, Charles Sumner, John Sherman, Benjamin F. Butler, John C. Fremont, Ambrose Burnside and many others.
• What if the Democrats had been better organized, more confident and fielded their own candidates like a usual election? Candidates for the Democrats include Thomas A. Hendricks, Winfield Scott Hancock, Samuel J. Tilden, John Quincy Adams II, Thomas Bayard, Salmon P. Chase, George B. McClellan, Horatio Seymour, former president Andrew Johnson, former Whig president Millard Fillmore and many others.
• What if Samuel J. Tilden ran as the Bourbon Democrat nominee?

For the best effect, it is best that you turn off the Liberal Republicans and the Bourbon Democrats, if you turn the Democrats ON. However, the game is still highly playable if you play as every party. However, keep in mind that some politicians belong to more than one party in this scenario.

Feedback is desired.

*This election was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 15, 2017, and can be downloaded here: United States – 1876 v 2.0

The 1876 election is one of the most controversial elections in history. Reconstruction was winding down, which meant the Southern White conservatives were regaining political power from the Northern Republicans, and some African-Americans, that had replaced them following the Civil War. As such, many of those in power prevented African-Americans, and even White. Meanwhile, the Republican party was accused of controlling the election in the South, partially through the governors still in place from Reconstruction. This lead to a constitutional crises called the Compromise of 1876.

However, leading up to this election, the main issue was whether or not President Ulysses S. Grant would run for a 3rd term. Most people expected him to run, but his advisers convinced him not to, as James G. Blaine’s Half-Breed (moderates) seemed set to win, due mostly to Grant’s corrupt administration. With Grant out of the picture, Democrats expected to have their first shot at the presidency since the 1856 election, and only four years after the Democratic Party’s collapse in 1872. It should be noted that this election takes place 100 years after the founding of our country.

For Republicans, James G. Blaine emerged as the new front-runner. However, he had his own scandalous past that would not be overlooked. Benjamin Bristow promised to be the reform candidate, as he had helped Grant clean out much of the corruption in his administration. Oliver P. Morton and Roscoe Conkling ran as the Radical Republican options, which still wanted to punish the South. Other candidates contested the nomination as well, but the most promising is Ohio governor Rutherford B. Hayes, who was a known reformer and moderate.

The Democrats, emboldened by the reestablished former Confederate base, decide to nominate conservatives for their ticket. The nearly unanimous top choice is Bourbon Democrat Samuel J. Tilden, a strict constitutionalist, pro-business, pro-Gold Standard democrat from New York. The two distant rivals are main-line Democrat Thomas Hendricks and the politically ambiguous Civil War general Winfield Scott Hancock. Other candidate are also in the race, but have an uphill battle.

The Greenback Party led by the wealthy industrialist, Peter Cooper, is the 3rd party option. Although from New York City, his base is mostly in the Midwest and West.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if President Grant decided to run for a 3rd term, despite being advised not to?
• What if Civil War general and Vermont Senator Ambrose Burnside decided to be the Republican military officer option for the presidency?
• What if Civil Rights activists pushed Frederick Douglass to run?
• He received some token delegates in later ballots for the Democrats, what if Conservative Democrat Allen G. Thurman had made an effort to run for the presidency from the beginning?
• What if two recent former nominees, Civil War general George B. McClellan and Horatio Seymour, attempted to run for the nomination again?
• What if the Southerners pushed two former Confederates for the Democratic nomination? Both Civil War general John B. Gordon and former Confederate VP Alexander Stephens were sitting US politicians during this election.

Feedback is desired.

*This election was updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on Aug 15, 2017. It can be downloaded here: United States – 1880 v 2.0

This election takes place at an early stage of the Gilded Age. Corruption, currency and the tariff were major issues. Also impacting this election is President Rutherford B. Hayes fulfilling his promise to serve only one term. His election in 1876 resulted in a compromise, as the election was close enough that many Democrats felt it was stolen from their candidate, Samuel J. Tilden. As such, integrity became a key issue as well. This election also marks a point in which many former Confederate officers and politicians were elected as US politicians.

The Republicans, with Hayes declining to run for reelection, were split between the Stalwarts (Conservatives) and the Half-Breeds (Moderates). former president Grant is urged to run for a non-consecutive 3rd term by the Stalwarts, and he start off as the front-runner. His primary challenger is James G. Blaine, who leads the Half-Breeds. Both of these leaders have had a history of corruption. Therefore, the alternative choice is former Senator John Sherman, the brother of General William T. Sherman. Other candidates also make an attempt for nomination. However, there is a rising Dark Horse candidate named James A. Garfield who seems likable by all sides.

The Democrats want their 1876 choice, Bourbon Democrat (Conservative wing) Samuel J. Tilden, to run for the nomination again. He declines, leaving an open field. The front-runner is Civil War general Winfield Scott Hancock, who appears to be something of a moderate Bourbon Democrat. His main competition is Bourbon Democrat Thomas Bayard. A field of many other Democrats along the political spectrum run for the nomination as well.

The Greenback party is the 3rd party for this election.

This election allows for many what-if scenarios:

• What if Rutherford B. Hayes runs for reelection? Can he launch a strong campaign when he has broken a promise to stay out of the race?
• What if a relatively politically inexperienced Benjamin Harrison ran for election?
• What if Robert Todd Lincoln had been pushed to run in 1880 to cater to Abraham Lincoln nostalgia?
• What if Civil Rights activists had pushed Frederick Douglass to run?
• What if Samuel J. Tilden had agreed to run for the nomination again?
• What if General George B. McClellan attempted another run now that he has political experience?
• What if former nominee Horatio Seymour chose to run again now that the political climate allows for a Democratic victory?
• What if former Confederates pushed for a Southern alternative for a Democratic nominee by supporting Civil War Generals John B. Gordon and Joseph E. Johnston or former Confederate Vice-President Alexander Stephens, all of whom are now sitting US politicians?

Feedback is desired.

*This election was greatly updated by the Historical Scenario Commission on August 21, 2017, and can be downloaded here: United States – 1884 v. 2.0

This election took place in the early stages of the Gilded Age. Railroad regulations, currency reform, tariff reform and civil service reform were key issues. The sitting president, Chester A. Arthur, had become president on the assassination of James A. Garfield. His presidency upset many in his own party and his reputation as a lazy administrator also did much to hinder a strong reelection campaign. As such, he faced many challengers. The Democrats also liked their chances of finally defeating the Republican party.

For Republicans, James G. Blaine, the leader of the moderate Republicans, known as “Half-Breeds,” was the front-runner. They favored a more bipartisan platform, but Blaine still suffered from a poor reputation due to previous scandals. The incumbent president was the favorite among former “Radical Republicans,” which were more conservative economically, but also more in favor of enforcing Civil Rights in the South. Many other major candidates such as George Edmunds, John Sherman, John Logan, and Joseph Hawley hope to win the nomination.

The Democratic front-runner is the popular Bourbon Democrat (fiscally conservative and strict constitutionalist), Grover Cleveland. His personal integrity was high, but rumors of a child out of wedlock negates what could have been a great strength against Republican front-runner Blaine. Cleveland faces challenges from other Bourbon Democrats, as well as Populist Democrats and Southern Democrats.

The Greenback Party led by Benjamin F. Butler and the Prohibition Party led by John St. John

This election has man what-if scenarios:

• What if General William Tecumseh Sherman had not refused to run for president?
• What if General Philip Sheridan had agreed to run?
• Robert Todd Lincoln, Abraham Lincoln’s son, was urged to run. What if he had?
• What if Benjamin Harrison ran for president 4 years earlier?
• What if Walter Gresham had run 4 years earlier?
• Former President Rutherford B. Hayes fulfilled his promise to not run for reelection in 1880. What if he ran in 1884 after sitting out for a year?
• What if former president Ulysses S. Grant had run for president despite failing health. Could he rally the conservative wing of the party so that they can defeat the Half-Breeds?
• What if Civil Rights activists pushed Frederick Douglass to run for president?
• Samuel J. Tilden nearly won the election of 1876. With the platform of the Bourbon Democrats at an all-time high, what if this early proponent of the platform ran again, despite failing health?
• What if former Confederate general Wade Hampton ran as the nominee of Southern Democrats?
• What if Richard P. Bland, the leader of the Silverites, ran as the nominee of Western, Populist Democrats?
• What if former general George B. McClellan ran for the nomination again after having served as a governor. Can he win the nomination two decades after he secured it in 1864?
• Can former general Winfield Scott Hancock win nomination in 1884?
• What if populist James B. Weaver challenged Benjamin F. Butler for the Greenback nomination?

Feedback is desired.