A Destiny Made Manifest - Part 15: Twilight of the Republic

Quickly, Chapman abandons his siege of the British to engage Red Vanguard in Oregon. Rosencrans, of course, does no such thing. His army, starving, is on the verge of total collapse.

We hear word from San Francisco that the Dutch have taken the city and looted to their heart's content. The Dutch government, happy with the result, sent a delegation to Washington to discuss terms of American surrender.

The Treaty of Annapolis is signed in early 1888 between the United States and the Kingdom of the Netherlands. As part of the treaty, President Lincoln and his administration swore to no longer expand in America and to pay war indemnities.

The American people, furious with this result, begin to firmly turn against the Republican Party. 20 regiments randomly disappear overnight.

(Seriously, I have no idea why, but my army was just disappearing at this point.)

The 1st and 6th Armies, the only ones left to have not deserted or collapsed, begin to set up plans to retake the American nation. Under Christopher Washington, the 6th is to march across Canada and then arrive in New York.

General Jeffrey Chapman, stuck on the west coast, decides to mop up the revolutionaries there. All contact with Washington is gone at this point. America is at its breaking point.

In Massachusetts Bay, the Atlantic Fleet is beaten soundly by the Royal Navy. America can no longer sustain war with the British; this was the final nail in that coffin. Lincoln's diplomats please for peace.

In response to the chaos and anti-Republican sentiment, a new liberal party has risen: The Populist Party, or People's Party. Formed as a response against elitist Republicanism, the party hopes to rely on American farmers and other working Americans. They develop ties with the Workingmen's Party.

Already, the Populists choose James B. Weaver, a member of the House from Iowa, as their candidate in 1888.

On March 8th, 1888, America signs the Treaty of Providence with the United Kingdom, with similar terms as they signed with the Dutch. The 1st Army collapses. Only the 6th under Christopher Washington still operates

(Why does this happen?!? It seems crazy to me? Is this part of the containment CB?)

Out west, authority from Washington is minimal. The Dutch have not even left American soil yet. The state governments manage to hold onto power by threads, with their militias fighting against the Red Vanguard.

In the East, only the 6th still fights. General Washington quickly executes a war against the Red Vanguard, attempting to create breathing room for Washington.

This doesn't seem very important, Victoria, you dumb idiot.

As 1888 rolls into summer, many American citizens question if an election will even take place, but the federal government shall still function in Washington. The Republicans, seeing no alternative, renominate the very, VERY unpopular President Lincoln. Many Republicans flee to the Populist Party and support James B. Weaver.

The Democrats, resurgent thanks to a Conservative backlash in response to the radical socialists, nominate Governor Grover Cleveland of New York unanimously. As a fiscal conservative, a political reformist, and an anti-imperialist, he manages to appeal to many from both sides of the aisle.

The Workingmen's Party, positioning itself as the safe and democratic way to secure socialist reforms, nominates Alson Streeter, a popular Illinois Congressmen. The race for the White House, for the first time in many years, would be a four-way contest, each with a real chance to win.

Washington quickly liberated New England and then marched his troops south to create a safe pocket for D.C.

The New Minutemen rise a second time, and once again ally with the Red Vanguard. The entire Midwest is burning, the fire lit by socialist fervor. Red banners are rising, and the Internationale rings across the regions. Serious panic takes place; would an election be able to even take place under such conditions? More importantly, would there be a republic at all?

Washington, upon receiving the news that hundreds of thousands of anti-government rebels were now in revolt, sent prayers to Goddess Victoria, thanking her for making rebels so shitty. Still, his army is largely starving and low on supplies on food. Without the 6th, the only thing standing between the United States and bloody revolution were civillian militia.

In North Dakota, one of the states to largely avoid the socialist occupation, war policy is debated. Given the effects of imperialism on the republic, Alson Streeter's anti-war policy drew many voters.

HOLY SHIT CHILL WITH THE COMMUNISTS, VIDEO GAME

For real, on May 16th, 1888, the United States Congress declares a "temporary exemption" be placed on the Electoral College, thanks to the "situation" the nation found itself in. Until order was restored, American presidential elections were to be determined by the vote of the House of Representatives. Around 80% of the members of the House pledge to honor whoever captures the plurality of the popular vote, but many do not.

Somehow, religion is important right now? More importantly, Grover Cleveland is very popular in New York, the city with the highest population in the nation. The Democrats are cautiously optimistic about the election.

Jacobin rebels have seized Paris! It is unclear if the Bonapartist regime will fall, or if the capital is to be retaken.

More importantly, I think, is that the labor movement is setting fire to - and attempting to overthrow - a democratic nation?

American industry, crippled as it is, still manages to innovate. The assembly line method of production is slowly normalized.

In Tennessee, protectionist arguments are made for the tariff, but GUYS ALL OF YOUR CITIES ARE UNDER SIEGE SET YOUR PRIORITIES STRAIGHT

Washington swiftly marches to... Washington? That's a bit confusing. Regardless, the capital was mostly unmolested by socialists, so he went to go mop up what was left.

In Louisiana, arguments against war are put forth by Streeter, Weaver, and to the surprise of many, Grover Cleveland. Lincoln, staying in Washington to maintain his government, mostly does not campaign.

Just a month before the election, large chunks of America are held by the Red Vanguard and the New Minutemen. Turnout for the election is expected to be very low; people west of the Mississippi are skeptical that their ballot will make it to Washington at all.

In the final days before the election, Cleveland gains ground. As the nation waits for the popular vote to be tallied, all eyes are on the House.

"The popular vote, tabulated by a bi-partisan committee, it counted as follows:

To Governor Grover Cleveland of the Democratic Party, 2,461,981 votes

To Representative Alson Streeter of the Workingmen's Party, 1,454,823 votes

To President Robert Todd Lincoln of the Republican Party, 1,074,009 votes

To Senator James B. Weaver of the People's Party, 951,912 votes."

Weaver and Streeter immediately drop their candidacy upon the result, imploring the House to side with Cleveland. While President Lincoln makes an address asking the nation to vote for him in order to maintain continuity in a time of crisis, he knew he didn't have a chance. Grover Cleveland is confirmed by the House as the 19th President of the United States.

Lincoln voluntarily immediately vacates his office, in order to allow Cleveland to transition in his administration as quickly as he could. Lincoln, incredibly unpopular, retires to New York.

The 6th Army, attempting to give the capital some room to breathe, attempts to clear out the east coast of rebels.

HOW ARE THERE SO MANY OF YOU

As rebels have risen in West Virginia, Washington heads back north. His troops are suffering, down to 10,000 men.

While votes arrive in for Congressional elections, they are disregarded. The nation, officially in a state of chaos, cannot afford to change administration. It will sink or swing with President Cleveland in the White House and the Workingmen's Party in Capitol Hill.

Red Vanguard militias, having by now seized military depots across the Midwest, are better eqipped. Seeing no alternative, however, the 6th Army engages the rebels in Ohio.

The 6th, starving and encircled by reinforcements, does not stand a chance.

In the humiliating Battle of Columbus, the 6th is soundly beaten by a force of Red Vanguard led by the warlord Adam Andrews. Plans are made by President Cleveland and Congress to flee from Washington if it becomes necessary.

The 6th plans a long march of retreat to New York so it can regroup. Christopher Washington, taking a rifle ball to the shoulder, is not in good condition. Things look dire.

In West Africa, native Communists have risen. The American Empire, it seems, will end.

While Cleveland furiously commissions another army, supplies are nonexistent. Expecting full-blown rebellion in the streets of every city if he did so, he refuses to enforce conscription.

In Texas, another revolution is fomenting. Seeing the Union as weak, Texan Nationalists have risen. While the state government passively denounces the rebels, they begin to speak with them. The Union, it seems, is collapsing; might as well get out before they get crushed.

market regulations

cool

Surprisingly, oil is found in San Diego! Cool! However, about two days later, Communists seized the city so we don't get any oil.

The Texan Nationalists have been mostly successful in eradicating the New Minutemen and Red Vanguard in the state. Democracy, hopefully, will prevail somewhere in the continent.

Effectively, Union control extends from North Carolina to Maine. Cleveland is no fool; he sees the writing on the wall. At the drop of a hat, the US Government is ready to flee north.

Surprisingly, a few regiments are actually raised in the Northeast. General Adam Barnes, in fact, resurfaces in command of one of them. Unfortunately, the troops are horribly organized and fed; morale is low.

Screw you too, Texas.

The new 6th Army, slightly reinforced, heads to Cleveland to engage the Communists once again. Adam Barnes and Christopher Washington share joint command of the force. Cleveland prays for victory.

God answers Cleveland's prayer by spawning in more rebels in the West, because clearly, God hates Democrats.

In Cleveland, the US Army wins a minor victory against a group of rebels led by Christopher Clayton. The amount of casualties made this a Pyrrhic victory, however.

Tentatively, plans are made for the 6th to sweep through Ohio and Indiana, clearing out all the rebels therein.

However, the 2nd Battle of Columbus proved just as disastrous as the first. The 6th is force again to retreat, once again by that son of a bitch pinko Adam Andrews.

We'll steam turbine them to death

More troops are to be drawn up from the Northeast, proving to be a bastion of anti-socialist feelings. Quickly men, arm yourself!

Realizing that a very large Communist mob was spotted in Manassas, Barnes and Washington march their men south. The men, starving, are on the verge of collapse. This battle would not go well.

In West Africa, natives have revolted under a pretender prince to the Kingdom of Warri. There is nothing we can do about this.

In the infamous Disaster at Manassas, the Union troops, upon seeing the greater numbers and zeal of the Communists led by Joshua Saloman, almost instantly shatter. The General Staff of the 6th are captured by the Communists, including Barnes and Washington. It is the greatest American military disaster in history.

Washington lies undefended ahead of Saloman.

Of some note, it appears as if Europe might be headed for war. At least it will keep the vultures from America's body.

Shockingly, a letter arrives on the desk of Cleveland on December 9th, 1889. Delegates meet in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and declare a "Puebo Republic," comprising of the states of Arizona and New Mexico. The Governor of Arizona, Lewis Wolfley, is declared "President" until an election can be held.

While Cleveland denounces the secession, he is entirely powerless to stop it.

The Republic quickly drafts a militia and establishes firm borders.

(Sidenote: This thing is called the "Pueblo Republic," and uses the Pueblo symbol, but the primary culture is Dixie and the only other accepted cultures are Yankee and Texan.)

Terrance Robinson, leader of the New Minutemen, begins to worry that Quinlan and the Red Vanguard would double-cross him at some point. The deal the two had struck was that the more moderate Robinson and his socialists would receive an equal say in a new government with the Communists, but he quickly became paranoid and organizes several new militias across the nation to better enforce his will.

Just two weeks after the Pueblo Declaration, the Convention of San Francisco convenes and decides that California too will secede from the Union, citing that Washington was not sufficient to protect Californians rights. The Dutch burning San Francisco was enough to prove to many people of the state that independence was necessary. Governor Robert Waterman is declared president.

California, as well, quickly eliminates radical socialist presence within its borders. Also, the Republican Party reforms to the Free Soil Party for entirely insane and ridiculous reasons.

I remember when I had dreams of colonizing Africa in this AAR! Crazy huh?

More horrible news reaches Washington. The Mormons - UGH, THE MORMONS - have declared Deseret, encompassing Nevada and Utah! The Mormon Church overthrows the state governments of both the states and set up Wilford Woodruff, the leader of the Church, as Head of State. The Deseret Constitution sets up a Mormon theocratic state, and I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT

Victoria 2, I take this as a personal insult.

In early 1890, the American government abandons Washington and flees to Annapolis as the radical socialists enter the city. With no force to oppose them, Cleveland begins to hope and pray that he is not the *last* president of America.

Meanwhile, Europe could rip itself apart at any minute! Always look on the bright side of life, amirite?

And Fordism is a thing! Guys?

On February 16th, 1890, Washington D.C. falls. CPUSA banners fly above the great American monuments; in a shocking display of disrespect, Jack Quinlan himself moves into the White House. The Red Vanguard has assumed control; already, scuffles break out between the Vanguard and the Minutemen.

Hey, the Bonapartes are out of France! They've put another Orleanist on the throne! This is a great coup for democracy!

In Europe, there is war. This is the last state letter received by Grover Cleveland.

https://www . youtube . com/watch?v=VUw_aaBjCpE

On May 16th, 1890, Grover Cleveland is discovered in hiding by Red Vanguard members in Annapolis, Maryland. Upon moderate torture, the Democrat gives up the location of many hiding Congressmen; they are rounded up by the Communists and detained, including the Workingmen. At the barrel of a gun, Grover Cleveland signs away his nation: the United States of America is no more. This is the end of the First Republic.

At the same time, Jack Quinlan meets with his inner circle in the White House and drafts a short "Document of Intention." The People's Republic of America - called "the Commune" in short - is the new authority in the land. Until order can be restored to the nation, elections are postponed; the People's Committee for Public Unity, a secret cabal of Red Vanguard leaders, will dictate the nation. Jack Quinlan is to be Head of State and Government - the Chairman of the Commune. At just 33, he is by far the youngest Head of State in American history.

Quinlan's work, however, has just begun. It is much easier to overthrow a nation than it is to build one. While the Proletariat cheers and weeps with joy, anti-Communist sentiment thrives in the nascent nation. Already, whispers of another revolution have begun to take place.

The First Commune rises.

Thanks for clicking, comrade! Next time, we examine Chairman Jack's attempt to build the Commune into a united and strong nation.