Aaron Burr (Wii's Alternate Elections 1788 Series)

Summary of Presidency
Vice President Aaron Burr was sworn in as president after the death of President Thomas Paine. Nothing of note happened before the midterms, though the income tax was repealed by Burr. By the 1810 midterms, the war was still active, though a US victory was predicted. The Bucktails were able to win the midterms of 1810-1811 and took control of Congress. Aaron Burr was able to lead the direction of the country and was able to influence many state governors to end segregation in their states. Burr worked with the Democratic-Republicans and Bucktails in Congress to lower tariffs, but also restarted the infrastructure projects with the help of Bucktails and Federalists. The war with Britain came to an end in 1812 with a US-France victory. The US was able to annex Prince Edward Island and the Ontario Peninsula. Burr knew that with the current state of Congress, he would be unable to end slavery. So, he compromised with Congress and admitted East and West Florida as slave states, and admitted Ontario and Prince Edward Island as free states. Negotiations began with France to purchase Louisiana territory, though nothing came from them by the 1812 election. In Europe, France controlled most of the continent with Spain, Austria, Prussia, Russia, Denmark, Italy, and Holland all being French puppets. Aaron Burr was re-elected in 1812, defeating William Henry Harrison. Burr continued to lower tariffs and continued his infrastructure plans. Large new roads were created, which greatly benefited the poor southern regions of the country. Burr pursued a plan of “peace and reconciliation” with Britain and helped ensure the independence of Ireland. In 1813, Burr personally visited Europe on a long overseas visit. There, he held meetings with Napoleon personally and discussed the future of the two countries. While in France, he negotiated a deal to buy Louisiana Territory from France. The new land greatly doubled America’s size, truly showing the world that America was here to stay. America also took control of British Columbia, shunning the British from the area. Though, Burr's most important piece of legislation was the Gradual Abolition Amendment, which he was able to pass through Congress. It would gradually abolish slavery throughout the country through the next 50 years. The Bucktails, led by President Burr, were able to retain their congressional majorities and keep control of congress. Burr lowered tariffs significantly and continued his infrastructure plans. Burr in early 1815 sent multiple expeditions to scout the newly purchased Louisiana territory from France. The expeditions went generally well, and much of the land was scouted, and their reports were sent back to Philadelphia. One of the expeditions took far longer than the rest due to it going all the way to the Pacific Ocean, and arriving at Vancouver island. The expedition later arrived back in Philadelphia sometime later. The expeditions found many native tribes, with all of the encounters going generally well. Though, one of the expedition teams were slaughtered by a tribe of Natives, who were frightened by their presence. When the news arrived back at Philadelphia, that only two men survived, many were furious. This caused many state governments to pass native removal acts in their legislatures, and forcefully evicted many natives from their homes. Burr heavily criticized these acts, and when some people in Cabinet attempted to persuade him to reconsider, he fired them. The South was already furious over the gradual abolition amendment, and many considered this to be the last straw. Multiple delegates from southern states met in Richmond, to discuss it all. Most of the 12 delegates believed that secession was the needed action. Thus, West Florida, East Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, South Carolina, Virginia, North Carolina, and Tennessee all seceded from the union. Chaos erupted in Philadelphia, and Burr claimed secession was illegal, and must be stopped at all costs. He immediately sent Henry Dearborn to attack the Confederates, and he launched an immediate attack on Virginia. By the next election day, the war was not over.

Electoral History
1812 - 58.5%, 160 electoral votes