Vive Le Hughes

[Psychic Octopus]

Vive Le Hughes




The Fall of 1916; a time of global instability, severe problems, and a hotly contested presidential race. President Woodrow Wilson was fighting for political survival against one of his toughest challengers yet: Justice Charles Evans Hughes. Interestingly enough, the two had met on several occasions, and liked each other well. They were very similar, both had a parent born in England, and both went to law school. Their stunning resemblance led former President Theodore Roosevelt to declare that Hughes was a "whiskered Wilson", much to his amusement. But for all of their similarities, they had differences. Wilson was campaigning on a platform of neutrality, while unintentionally Hughes was labeled as a "war candidate" mostly due to his calls for greater mobilization and readiness, but partly due to TR's stirring speeches. The stakes were high; Both men could not know it, but this very election would be one that would determine the very future of America -- and the world.

1. A Chance Meeting
2. The Telegraph of Deception
3. The Hughes Administration
4. War With The Central Powers
5. The Debacle of 1918 and 1919
6. The Fight for the League
7. Ratification or Division?
8. The Second Wilson Presidency
9. Peace and Prosperity
10. The Twenty Year Curse
11. "Scrappy Joe"
12. Can Robinson Survive?
13. A New Crisis
14. The Contract With America
15. The Great Engineer
16. The Conference
17. Fate and Fallout
18. A Third Party?

[Psychic Octopus]

The Election of 1916:

A key moment in the campaign came in Long Beach, California, while Hughes was staying at a hotel. To his surprise, an aide walked in and announced that Governor Hiram Johnson had arrived. Gracefully thanking the aide,  Hughes strutted out of his room and went to meet the Governor. Johnson, with a notorious prickly personality, was somewhat surprised at the nominee, befriending him in an instant. Much to the luck of Hughes, Johnson announced that he would do everything he could to ensure that he won here in California.

On November 7th, Election Day, the results teetered in Hughes' favor, making the Wilson campaign nervous. Tired and happy, Hughes prematurely announced his victory and went off to bed. The Wilson campaign swallowed a great deal of sadness, and it looked near impossible for Wilson to win a second term. Late in the night, Wilson conceded gracefully, and arranged for plans to meet with outgoing Vice President Marshall and Secretary of State Lansing.

The next day, an eager reporter asked an aide of Hughes about an interview with the new president-elect. The aide replied that he is sleeping, and turned the reporter away, asking him to come back later.

 
Electoral Vote:

Hughes/Fairbanks: 268
Wilson/Marshall: 263

Popular Vote:

Wilson/Marshall: 49.1%
Hughes/Fairbanks: 46.2%

[President Mitt]

DOWN WITH THE FASCIST! VIVE HUGHES!

[Psychic Octopus]

First part completed and edited, posted too early. I'll try to get updates 4-6 days, but if I'm on a roll, I'll continue.

[Psychic Octopus]

DOWN WITH THE FASCIST! VIVE HUGHES!

DEFEATED.

[Vosem]

Excellent, excellent. MOAR!

[Sewer]

DOWN WITH THE FASCIST! VIVE HUGHES!

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Should be pretty good.

Note: President-elect might be a more appropriate term, especially considering the longer lame-duck period.

[Bo]

DOWN WITH THE FASCIST! VIVE HUGHES!

[Psychic Octopus]

Should be pretty good.

Note: President-elect might be a more appropriate term, especially considering the longer lame-duck period.

Good idea, I'll fix it.

[Psychic Octopus]

During the course of the post-election mayhem that followed, one event was surprising to Hughes. Wilson, now defeated and somewhat bitter, made Hughes an offer to take over as President now, by way of resignations. Hughes considered for a moment, but refused, saying: "While I know that what you deeply care for our country and wish it to have one leader in these times, I must refuse, as this event would look bad on us, and in addition, our democracy." Wilson was surprised at his refusal, even a little angry, but he went along with the president elect's wishes.  

In January 1917, such a crisis came. After prematurely declaring victory in December, the German Empire would announce a return to its earlier policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, despite Wilson's pleas for a resolved peace. The Administration announced that the United States was on the brink of war, and would not take kindly to any further intrusion. Hughes was outraged at Wilson's "cowardice" in dealing with the Central Powers, claiming "They have tried our patience as much as they want, and it is time to strike back". Theodore Roosevelt, nominated to be the new Secretary of War, went further, calling the Germans: "Mere pirates on the open seas".

Finally, patience stopped at a standstill. In February, British code-breakers intercepted a message from Germany to Mexico, with Germany promising that in the event of US entry into the war, Mexico would receive the support of Germany in reclaiming Texas, Arizona, and New Mexico. After the news was passed to Wilson, he went to Hughes and asked him if he could release the information to the public. Hughes was outraged at the "Zimmermann Telegram" and gave Wilson the go-ahead. This, in combination with the continuation of submarine warfare, had made up Hughes' mind. As soon as he got in office, war it was.

Coming Up: The Hughes Administration

[Barnes]

Very exciting!

Also, has Hughes had any trouble about loosing the popular vote by about three points?

[Psychic Octopus]

Very exciting!

Also, has Hughes had any trouble about loosing the popular vote by about three points?

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. At first there was some outrage among Democratic camps and in the newspapers, but it was much less big a deal come January and February. Wilson was bitter about it, as he generally liked the American system of government altogether.

Thanks for the compliment.

[Bo]

It's a good thing Hughes did not lose Minnesota (which he only won by several hundred votes in RL), as that would ahve allowed Wilson to compensate for the loss of California. I also see Hughes still managed to lose NH. Oh well, it's a good thing he won, though.

[Psychic Octopus]

It's a good thing Hughes did not lose Minnesota (which he only won by several hundred votes in RL), as that would ahve allowed Wilson to compensate for the loss of California. I also see Hughes still managed to lose NH. Oh well, it's a good thing he won, though.

Just did what happened in OTL, but flipped California. I'm not sure if the strong Johnson endorsement would carry him anywhere else. I'm actually enjoying writing this. I'll see if I can get his first actions as President up tonight.

[President Mitt]

Hughes seems like an incredibly decent person. So he's probably a one termer.

[#CriminalizeSobriety]

Very exciting!

Also, has Hughes had any trouble about loosing the popular vote by about three points?

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. At first there was some outrage among Democratic camps and in the newspapers, but it was much less big a deal come January and February. Wilson was bitter about it, as he generally liked the American system of government altogether.

Thanks for the compliment.

i remember reading that Wilson said that he would've preferred that America had a parliamentary system instead.

[Psychic Octopus]

Very exciting!

Also, has Hughes had any trouble about loosing the popular vote by about three points?

Oh, yeah, forgot to mention that. At first there was some outrage among Democratic camps and in the newspapers, but it was much less big a deal come January and February. Wilson was bitter about it, as he generally liked the American system of government altogether.

Thanks for the compliment.

i remember reading that Wilson said that he would've preferred that America had a parliamentary system instead.

Yeah, from his college years forward. But once he was presented with the chance of co-ruling the presidency with a potential VP, Newton Baker, he turned it down. He liked power, he enjoyed his stature, especially in 1919, as the most influential man in the world.

[Psychic Octopus]

The First Term of Charles Evans Hughes

"We have been treated harshly, and the need to payback Germany for its machinations is now." In his inaugural address, Hughes made a steady notion in foreign affairs that he fully intended to go to war with Germany by the end of the month. While cynicism, especially from the Hearst media empire, approached the contents of the Zimmermann Telegram, Hughes disregarded it and pointed to yesterday's admission of its genuineness by Germany. In terms of domestic affairs, Hughes was less focused, announcing support for women's suffrage and "effective, but moderate stewardship of the economy."

His nominees were all heavyweights; Theodore Roosevelt to War, Elihu Root to State, and Andrew Mellon to the Treasury. His choices were applauded by his base. In the meantime, Hughes found it necessary to keep some veterans of the Wilson Administration on, especially Josephus Daniels and Franklin Roosevelt at the Navy Department.

Almost immediately, on March 5th, 1917, Hughes would ask for a declaration of war against the Central Powers. The Senate would not formally begin until the 8th, however, giving them plenty of time to think over their arguments. On March 8th, Hughes would appear before Congress to plead for a declaration: "The German Empire fully intends to infringe on our sovereignty. Under these circumstances, war is our only option". After a short debate, he got his wish: A near unanimous vote for war in the Senate and House. Push had come to shove, and the United States of America and the German Empire were officially at arms.

Coming Up: War With The Central Powers

[Sewer]

Theodore Roosevelt to War

D:

[Psychic Octopus]

Don't know what happened, half my post went missing. Either way, I edited it back in.

[Psychic Octopus]

Another update, tonight.

[President Mitt]

Theodore Roosevelt to War

D:

[Barnes]

President Woodrow Wilson delivering his concession speech:

The code of your picture is broken.

[Psychic Octopus]

As Hughes settled into the presidency, a longing action from Theodore Roosevelt immediately overcame him. TR wanted to resign and lead a division in the war. Shocked, Hughes immediately said no, much to Roosevelt's dismay. Hughes appealed to his calmer, more ambitious side, though, saying "I need you here, I cannot have a useful adviser killed in action. Don't you think I want to be over there too, right where young Charlie is? I can't. Our times as fighters have passed, Theodore. We are working men, it is our job to oversee and plan this war; Not fight it." Roosevelt accepted the fact and was even somewhat convinced he was wrong. Privately, Hughes had another motive; He did not want to end up as Bill Taft.



General John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing
Leader of the American Expeditionary Force

War Production and Troop Recruitment had begun to rapidly rise, and after American General John Joseph "Black Jack" Pershing was withdrawn from the hunt for Pancho Villa, he was promoted by Hughes to oversee the American Expeditionary Force in April, and due to the quick and fast drilling of recruits by the administration in March and April, by early June there were already 22,000 soldiers in France. While the American "doughboys" weren't as experienced as the French and British troops, they provided good support. A key decision of Hughes was to enter the war as an Allied Power, not as an individual fighting force like Pershing wanted. Hughes argued that it was the polite and honorable action to take, saying "Our new friends would not take kindly to an individual military walking into their country". In order to create a full understanding between the Entente powers, he sent Secretary Root to make a tour of Western Europe.

On the home front, antiwar demonstrations grew. Hughes was suggested by advisers to pass a sedition act in June, but he turned it down, declaring that it would be an affront to personal liberty. Former President Wilson felt Hughes had missed a big opportunity, feeling that he could have silenced many of his detractors. Nevertheless, Hughes continued with his "Personal Liberty" policy and allowed the demonstrations to continue.

In July and August, African American discontent finally boiled over, as tensions escalated into rioting. President Hughes would respond immediately, announcing support for the African American community in their peril. He would unveil plans to seek a federal anti-lynching law, along with uniform support for civil rights. In a stroke of fierce moral authority, Hughes sent in the National Guard to protect black citizens from harm. WEB DuBois applauded the action, praising Hughes as a "Second Lincoln."

By December, Americans were in the trenches fighting, and notably proving to be a turning point in the war for the Allies. Victory had yet to come; But hopes were raised.

Next Time: The Debacle of 1918 and 1919