So guys, I was listening to The Election of 1800 a few weeks ago when I had a really cool idea for a fanfiction.
What if Burr had won the election?
I started writing a dystopian alternate universe taking place in 1815 where Congress has fallen and Burr is now in complete control. But I want to hear how you guys would interpret Burr's presidency. Post ideas or snippets here so we can compare different perspectives!!
Idea
8 posts in this topic.
-
-
Ooh, that's interesting.
Because on the one hand, Burr was a man ahead of his time - he supported women's rights, for example, in a time when few people did - so he might have worked to bring civil rights and suffrage to the country sooner (not that it all would've happened in just four or eight years, but still).
On the other hand, one time he tried to conspire to become the Emperor of Louisiana, so it seems likely that the power of the presidency could have gone to his head.
But on the other hand, maybe if he'd gotten that power instead of having his political ambitions crushed, he would have been happy with the position and been a really good president.
Like honestly he could've gone any way at all as president. But then what you also have to consider is that if he'd become president, he wouldn't have dueled with Hamilton, so Hamilton would also be alive still to either help Burr further his righteous causes or try to stop him as he tried to gain more power from his position. -
Actually, on that note, if Hamilton endorsed Jefferson but Burr won anyway, what would happen to Hamilton's career?
-
Ooh, what about Theodosia, Burr's daughter? She didn't die at sea until 1813, which would have been after Burr's hypothetical term as president. So I'm curious as to how involved she might have been, how in the public eye as the president's daughter.
Man, you just had to ask a question that got me thinking about the way all these people were interconnected, didn't you? There's no stopping it now. -
Glad I got you thinking XD
-
Ohhhhhh! This is an interesting concept. I would like to see how Hamilton would have reacted to Burr being elected given that he didn't back him? Maybe Burr wouldn't have shot him in this given scenario? What changes would have been made to our modern age if this happened? I honestly wonder.
-
I agree with @BrookishBrookâI'd love to see how Hamilton reacted. Of course he would write, write, write to try and get Burr out of office and denounce most of his ideas, at least most likely. Personally, I think he started to go downhill with jealousy after he lost the election of 1800, but I think he would still eventually let all the power go to his head and become obsessed. I would totally read this novel/short if it was published, though, so let me know what you do with this idea!
-
I actually don't think a Burr presidency would have been as bad as Trump's-- maybe a bit corrupt, but otherwise normal, and a bit more radical. e supported ending slavery and civil rights, which really isn't talked about. Best case, the 1960s would have happened in the 1800s and we'd be way more equal today. Worst case... civil war, collapse of the country, return to British rule.
Sign in to reply to this topic.
Delete this post?
Are you sure you want to delete this post? This cannot be undone.