Thomas Paine (Wii's Alternate Elections 1788 Series)

Summary of Presidency
Thomas Paine, an independent but aligned with the Bucktails, won the 1804 election against Thomas Jefferson and Christopher Gadsden. Paine increased military and navy spending, lowered tariffs, created a large infrastructure plan, and continued to support France as the US’s main Ally. Paine ended Gadsden’s brutal native policy and created many new reservations in Illinois and Minnesota. He essentially let the Natives do whatever they wished in the two states. The Bucktails are able to retain their majority in congress, and with this, President Paine is able to continue passing legislation freely. New roads and canals were created, and the US seemed to be off to a great path. President Paine and Napoleon were close friends, regularly sending letters to each other. Napoleon was able to convince Paine to let the US formally ally itself with France. Britain, who was at war with France, declared war on the United States. The two countries' relations had been quickly deteriorating fast beforehand, so it was expected. The newly modernized military he had made before the war in case of war, was mobilized and war had begun. The United States sent Henry Dearborn to attack Toronto, and he eventually captured the city. Though, despite the US efforts, the war still did not end even by Election Day. President Thomas Paine was re-elected in 1808 with the support of the Bucktail Party. The US army was able to make some gains after the capture of Toronto, like how they have demolished and burned multiple Canadian cities and villages. Besides the war, multiple infrastructure projects were halted so most funding could go to the war effort. An income tax was also created temporarily to help fund the war, which has caused mass riots in places like New York City. Tragedy struck in 1809, when President Thomas Paine died. Aaron Burr, the Vice President, was sworn in shortly after his death.

Electoral History
1804 - 52.5%, 107 electoral votes

1808 - 51.0%, 156 electoral votes