Vive Le Hughes

[Bo]

Does the Russian Revolution still occur? If so, does Hughes help out the White Army much more than Wilson did?

[Historico]

Huh...Was not expecting Hughes to makes such a strong stand on Civil Rights, An Anti-Lynching bill depending on the nubmers could be passed but I think a full fledged Civil Rights bill maybe some times away due to the power of those damned Southern Democrats. I agree with Gio that, he probably will end up like a Teen's version of Jimmy Carter...A well intentioned man, cripped by the events and circumstances that he had no control over.

[Psychic Octopus]

Does the Russian Revolution still occur? If so, does Hughes help out the White Army much more than Wilson did?

It will be covered in the next update.

Huh...Was not expecting Hughes to makes such a strong stand on Civil Rights, An Anti-Lynching bill depending on the nubmers could be passed but I think a full fledged Civil Rights bill maybe some times away due to the power of those damned Southern Democrats. I agree with Gio that, he probably will end up like a Teen's version of Jimmy Carter...A well intentioned man, cripped by the events and circumstances that he had no control over.

Hughes was a profound advocate of civil rights, but he will not make the case for full integration. I think that is exactly what he would have done in the circumstances, and it has made him very hated by Southern whites.

You'll have to see on the last one.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

This is disguisting! You show once again, young man, a total lack of understanding to the American history and equally total lack of respect to American values. The great leader, moral authority, a proud son of the Almighty Southland, tireless defender of such fundaments of Freedom like state's rights against big, evil federal government communists attempts to take this great land away from rightful owners and hand to some...

Oh, just kidding, glad to see Woody Wilson defeated and to see a reasonable guy like Hughes instead

Viva Le Hughes!

[Psychic Octopus]

US/UK Recruiting Posters for the Great War.

By April, a radically different world stage had emerged. A communist revolution had occurred in Russia, which brought it out of the war. A lopsided peace agreement was signed by the victorious Central Powers, much to the dismay of the Entente. In response to the revolution, Hughes would confer quickly with Lloyd George and Clemenceau, and sent a good number of armies and supplies to aid the White Russians, the counter-revolutionaries opposing the Red Army’s Soviet Union. Japan, in particular, greatly aided the Whites, hoping to establish a buffer state in Siberia.

In the meantime, Germany and the Central Powers were shifting troops away from the east and into the west. Ironically, their territorial increases had hindered their hopes of a quick victory in their Spring Offensive. While at first it was a smashing success, the German soldiers could not consolidate their gains, and as such, were quickly ousted. Optimism had risen, and General Pershing was working well with his counterparts in order to provide a unified war effort.



American Soldiers fighting in the trenches, for the Allied cause.

President Hughes, now near certain of victory, made a massive speech in early September, declaring: “We stand firmly united in the cause of freedom from oppression. In the face of adversity, the cause of democracy has never been so strong. We can win, we must win, we shall win." Also outlined in his speech, was his proverbial plan for the rebuilding of Europe. Hughes called for freedom of navigation outside territorial waters, championed the cause of the nationalists in Austria-Hungary, and last but not least, called for a League of Nations. Georges Clemenceau and Theodore Roosevelt applauded his speech, and immediately endorsed his proposals. Even Woodrow Wilson was pleased by his ideas, however, he stayed silent. In Early October, Bulgaria would become the first Central Power to surrender. All throughout October, The Entente Armies pummeled through Syria and Italy. Czechoslovakia was proclaimed to be a new state in the heart of Europe, further weakening the Central Powers. The Battle of Vittorio Veneto marked the end of Austria-Hungary as an effective fighting force, as they disintegrated in early November. The Entente Fleet entered Constantinople, as the Ottoman Empire surrendered and ceased to exist. On November 9th, faced with the German Revolution, Kaiser Wilhelm II abdicated the throne, and a republic was declared in Germany. Finally, in the 11th Hour of the 11th Day in the 11th Month, Germany would officially surrender and the Great War was brought to a close.

1918 Congressional Elections:

While antiwar protesters lambasted the President, the country stood united against the threats posed by the Central Powers. The Republican Party, boosted by candidates running on a campaign focused on patriotism and unity, gained seats.

Senate Results:

Democrats: 52 (-3)
Republicans: 44 (+3)

House Results:

Republicans: 222 (+7)
Democrats: 208 (-6)
Socialist: 2 (+1)
Farmer-Labor: 1 (+1)
Prohibition: 1 (+0)

In December, President Hughes would choose to sail for Europe, becoming the first president in office to do so. He announced that the American delegation would include himself, Secretary Root, and the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, Gilbert Hitchcock.

When Hughes arrived in France, he met stunning cheers and adulation from the people, hearing "Vive Le President" and "Vive Le Huge" wherever he went in public. His proposals had earned the confidence of the citizens of Europe. The American President, with all this momentum, would have to deliver for the world.

Next Update: The Fight for the League

[Robespierre's Jaw]

Nik, you've got a great timeline here, so long you don't steal any of my ideas for mine

Anyway, keep up the excellent work and I hope you use the butterfly effect to its advantage, unlike others on the board, because it would be a let down if you didn't, particularly when you have so much to work with.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Very good! I hope Hughes wins re-election.

[Psychic Octopus]

Nik, you've got a great timeline here, so long you don't steal any of my ideas for mine

Anyway, keep up the excellent work and I hope you use the butterfly effect to its advantage, unlike others on the board, because it would be a let down if you didn't, particularly when you have so much to work with.

, I will try to do so to the best of my ability. I have very interesting plans coming up for the 1920s and 1930s.

[Bo]

Does the Fed still lower interest rates too much and keep them too low for too long as they did in RL in the 1920s?

[Bo]

I thought that if Hughes won, WWI would end on a different date due to the butterfly effect.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

I thought that if Hughes won, WWI would end on a different date due to the butterfly effect.

The butterfly effect doesn't automatically mean something happens/doesn't happen. Example: Just because Hughes was President instead of Wilson doesn't mean the League of Nations won't be formed.

[Psychic Octopus]

No update tonight, as I just finished a report.

Does the Fed still lower interest rates too much and keep them too low for too long as they did in RL in the 1920s?

Somewhat, in a way. Secretary Mellon would basically run the economy, leaving Hughes to focus on the war effort. It has been lowered somewhat, but not in a radical change/ The 1920s haven't happened yet, and there hasn't been any downward shifts with the economy, as it is booming from the war.

Also, I thought about ending it in October or September, but I decided not to.

[Psychic Octopus]

An update will come tonight, I'm currently working on it right now. Expect it up around 5:00-5:30 PST.

[Psychic Octopus]

When the peace conference began, it immediately turned into a brawl between opposing sides of view. But, there was a glimmer of hope in the American delegation, as Hughes, Hitchcock, and Root all agreed on the basics ideas, although one another each had different agendas. On January 6th, Hughes received dreadful news: Secretary Roosevelt had died. He immediately sent a letter of his condolences to Mrs. Roosevelt and arranged for a public statement.    

The official opening of the peace conference was a largely ceremonial affair; President Hughes would nominate French Premier Clemenceau to be permanent chairman of the conference, as a tribute to his resourceful and determined leadership throughout the war. The first matter of business taken up at the full conference was Hughes' League of Nations. In the evening, Hughes spent time with Hitchcock and Lodge working on his draft; But also with Lord Robert Cecil and Jan Smuts. Neither man had met Hughes except in passing, but they immediately formed a favorable opinion of him. Hughes would request an Anglo-French American draft of a league plan to be sent to the conference in two weeks, which was labeled by Cecil as "fantastic". Hughes would be writing to Henry C. Lodge every day in his spare time, notifying him of the advancements. He would need Lodge's help if he ever hoped to get any treaty passed. During the second week, the Council of Ten's focus would turn to the former colonies of Germany. Hughes suggested putting each colony under League mandate, but this idea met opposition from Britain and Japan, who wanted to use the wording to perpetuate their title. On February 13th, Baron Nobuaki Marino would drop a bombshell, asking for a racial equality clause. The idea would meet fierce opposition, and would be dropped.

On February 14th, Hughes would finally present the League Covenant to the Full Conference. Weary and tired, he presented a document that proposed a fundamental transformation of international relations. Freedom of the seas, a permanent international "security council" made up of the five great powers with lesser powers rotating on and off, concern for labor conditions, mandates over former colonies of Germany; All was there. In order to assure passage, a statement about national "spheres of influence" was made, in order to gain full Japanese support and bolster American receptivity to the treaty. After the recitation, the League would be passed by the Conference. It was the moment of Hughes' greatest triumph. On February 15th, President Hughes would travel home for ten days, officially opening the debate in the United States. The League of Nations would win the support of the LEP, but Robert La Follette would blast the very idea of it as "Despicable; An un-american act that will infringe on our national sovereignty. The President would meet daily with senators in the White House, pleading them for their support. As he traveled back to Europe, he would leave publicity and outreach in the hands of LEP member Bill Taft and Senator Lodge.



President Hughes in Paris, France, eagerly speaking before a French crowd.

When President Hughes arrived in Europe for a second time, he found himself centered in the cause of two different movements. The first being Zionism, which advocated a homeland for the Jewish people in the Middle East, and the second being that of War reparations. Hughes found himself sympathetic to the cause of the Zionists, and became their chief champion among the big four. As for war reparations, Hughes was, at best, a moderate, favoring a policy similar to Prime Minister Lloyd George in terms of the actual sum, but supported Premier Clemenceau's calls for a large, independent Poland, along with a strong roadblock to Germany in the form of Eastern European states. Hughes would become the mediator on both counts, and as such, the chief decision maker.

Finally, decisions on both counts were made and presented. In regards to Zionism, France would occupy Syria, the United States would occupy Iraq, and as Britain would be unable to control Palestine because of lingering revolt in Egypt, the United States and Britain would jointly occupy Palestine, the former in the north and the latter in the south. A fifteen year timetable was henceforth established that would, when implemented, turn over control of the region to the Jewish people. War reparations were covered in the Treaty of Versailles, and as a compromise between the three nations, Germany would pay 168 billion Reichsmarks. In addition, Germany would lose a hefty amount of territory on its eastern front, and the Rhine would become a demilitarized zone controlled by the British and French. Military restrictions would be implemented, as well, and Germany's military was limited to 100,000 men. The Central Powers would soon arrived, and would have to accept the treaty. Germany took the blunt of blow, compared to its former allies, but it would grudgingly accept the terms. In addition, in a much awaited event, Japan threatened to walk out of the conference on part of the Shantung province in China, which they demanded. In a form of weakness, Hughes would agree to their dominance of the area, in exchange for their support. Hughes' work was now near-complete in Europe; He could return home to America and plunge right into what would become the fight of his life.



Germany, now officially known as the Weimar Republic, was vastly shrunk in size.

Coming Up: Ratification or Division?

[Psychic Octopus]

In June, President Hughes would arrive home to a divided populace, with sides each arguing one another the causes of the treaty. Hughes would immediately suffer a public defeat when his championed anti-lynching bill died in the House, but would express some jubilation when the cause of prohibition triumphed, as the last state, Utah, ratified the amendment. In another victory, the House and Senate each passed the Nineteenth Amendment by margins of 301-91 and 57-24, respectively, moving it to be ratified by the states. But none of this provided a foil for Hughes, as he immersed himself in the cause of the League. He was meeting with Senators round the clock, trying to whip up support for his measures, as the American people began to turn against the idea. Eugene Debs and Robert La Follette were drumming up and hyping the effects, staging loud protests and causing as much controversy as possible. Anti-internationalism rallies had been commonplace for years, but the receptivity of it was becoming a serious challenge for Hughes. Nevertheless, he opted not to embark on a speaking tour, as it would compromise his efforts in Washington.

Finally, by September, an uncertain vote would be embarked upon, as Senator Borah, the leading voice in the anti-league movement, demanded it. Senator Lodge would read outloud the entire treaty to the Senate, in a final plea for support. Hughes had measured his chances for success at around 50-50, as 65 votes were needed. At first, it seemed like the measure was doomed for failure, as the "Nay" votes crept up. But eventually, as the Senators voted, in began to even out. Finally, when the last votes were being made, the Treaty of Versailles crept across the finish line, with a vote of 66-31. For his efforts for international peace and prosperity, President Charles E. Hughes would be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, becoming the second American president in history to receive this high honor.

While Hughes could be described as the happiest man in the world, the consequences of his epic victory were phyrric; it would look certain as time moved forward that he had lost the confidence of the American people to serve their interests. That, unpreparedness for the post-war economic recession would look fatal for Hughes in 1920. Even the Chief Justice, knowing that the Republicans were dead in 1920, decided to announce his retirement. Hughes, compassionate and rewarding, would let Bill Taft accomplish his dream to become a Supreme Court Justice. Taft was nominated and confirmed by a unanimous vote. Despite this, yet another of his causes would be ratified, Women's suffrage, when Delaware ratified it on March 9th. However, this could not save him from facing the voters.

The Democratic Nomination:

When the early race started out, the nomination seemed to be a battle between Former Treasury Secretary William McAdoo of California, The Catholic Governor Al Smith of New York, and Isolationist Senator Claude Swanson of Virginia. However, conventional wisdom was deferred as Former President Woodrow Wilson jumped into the race following McAdoo's statement that he would not seek the nomination. Wilson represented the party's moderate wing, as isolationists and  internationalists threaten to tear the party apart. Wilson could point to his administration's activism but its neutrality, which won over key supporters. At the convention, Wilson was nominated on the first ballot, and persuaded the delegates to make the firebrand Senator Joseph T. Robinson of Arkansas his running mate.

The Republican Nomination:

Despite heckling from the isolationists of his party, Charles Evans Hughes was nominated again for President with supporters praising "the bringer of victory and peace." The Convention would choose Governor Frank Lowden of Illinois for Vice President, citing his unwavering work ethic. However, not all was as it seemed, as a great number of protest votes went to Senator Robert La Follette of Wisconsin, an isolationist and crusader for organized labor. Emboldened, he would lead a revolution out of the party, agreeing to run on a "Progressive" ticket. La Follette would choose Representative Fredrick Zihlman of Maryland as his running mate.

The Election of 1920:

As soon as the conventions were over, it seemed impossible for the Republican ticket to win with the Progressives flanking them at every turn. Both candidates, La Follette and Wilson, would rip Hughes at every opportunity. La Follette would promise a new deal for the American people, while Wilson spoke often about his New Freedom initiatives and a return to neutrality and non-interventionism, but continued activism in the League of Nations. It was an election of perception, with Hughes being a scapegoat for warmongers, and Wilson representing the common, peace-loving man. In the end, Wilson would win in a landslide, with La Follette deeply cutting into Hughes' numbers. For the first time in 15 years, Charles Evans Hughes was out of public life.

Electoral Vote:

Wilson/Robinson: 404
Hughes/Lowden: 144
La Follette/Zihlman: 13

Popular Vote:

Wilson/Robinson: 49.1%
Hughes/Lowden: 36.8%
La Follete/Zihlman: 13.1%

1920 Congressional Elections:

With the exuberant excesses of Germany burnt out, the people of America wanted a return to a simpler time, filled with non-interventionism. While many Democrats differed little from Republicans, they were a clear alternative and perceived as better choices.

Senate Results:

Democrats: 56 (+4)
Republicans: 40 (-4)

House Results:

Democrats: 241 (+33)
Republicans: 192 (-31)
Farmer-Labor: 1 (-0)
Socialist: 1 (-1)

Next Time: The Second Wilson Presidency

[Psychic Octopus]

You guys better be satisfied for a while... That took me about five and a half hours.

[Alexander Hamilton]

You guys better be satisfied for a while... That took me about five and a half hours.

Yeah, so satisfied. I mean, Woodrow Wilson just got elected and we're supposed to be satisfied?

I'm appalled and offended and disgusted, at the very least.

[MASHED POTATOES. VOTE!]

Very sad to see Hughes loose, as he really accomplished a lot during a single term. Excellent update, NiK, keep it coming

[Vosem]

You wrote excellent TLs before, NiK, but this really takes it to a whole new level.

[Historico]

Huh...Was not expecting Wilson to become the next Grover Cleveland as the only 20th Century President to serve two unconsectutive terms in office. I Assume youll keep the 20 year curse going as I hope the racist bastard dies in Office in 1924 just as he did IOTL. But then we would end up with a "Scrappy Joe" Presidency which would be even scarier lol. Can't wait to see what you have instore for the Democratic Roaring Twenties...Keep it comming

[Psychic Octopus]

Thanks for all of the praise and I'm glad all of you like it. I expect to have the next update done by Sunday or Monday, and thankfully as we go into the postwar era, I can calm down on all of the heavy details.

[Bo]

Great TL so far? I was wondering, is Hitler killed in WWI in this timeline (he was almost killed in RL)? If he is killed, that could have major repercussions for world history. BTW, what does Hughes plan to do for his retirement? I figure he would probably have another 30-35 years to do what he wants--maybe become a philatrophist, activist, or return to the Supreme Court. When do you plan to have Hughes die in this TL (I'm just curious)? BTW, I expected Hughes to lose, just not by this kind of margin. I didn't anticipate LaFollette running, though. I just figured the race would be closer since the Republicans were the dominant party in the U.S. from 1894 to 1930.

[Barnes]

Very awesome updates, NiK. Hughes was a very good president, and it's sad to see who's replacing him.

[Psychic Octopus]

Great TL so far? I was wondering, is Hitler killed in WWI in this timeline (he was almost killed in RL)? If he is killed, that could have major repercussions for world history. BTW, what does Hughes plan to do for his retirement? I figure he would probably have another 30-35 years to do what he wants--maybe become a philatrophist, activist, or return to the Supreme Court. When do you plan to have Hughes die in this TL (I'm just curious)? BTW, I expected Hughes to lose, just not by this kind of margin. I didn't anticipate LaFollette running, though. I just figured the race would be closer since the Republicans were the dominant party in the U.S. from 1894 to 1930.

Yeah, I really shoud've clarified this better.

Hughes never censored the antiwar protests, like Wilson, and they continued throughout his tenure. Everything he did that was divine by European standards, was twisted and manipulated in the United States. The Antiwar, anti-interventionist movement continued, loudly, and proved decisive in changing the minds of the American people.

I'm going to go edit in the congressional results right now.

[Psychic Octopus]

All edited in.