opposition to the declaration of war was championed by Populists and some Liberal new Englanders.Liberty or Death, President John Sherman, March 16th 1893
"My friends! Twelve days ago I informed the public, of a grave injustice brought upon the American soldiers in the African Continent! It is my solemn duty now to address your body with regard to the grave crisis that has arisen in the relations of the United States and United Kingdom by reason of the attacks and threats to our sovereignty and the sovereignty of Liberia, that have been consistently leveled upon us, since the beginning of this year.
The Founders of the republic fought with great fervor, against the tyranny of the British crown. Now it is our duty, to follow in the founders great footsteps!
The present crisis is but the successor of other similar threats which have occurred in the British Empire against the United States! The United States has put to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws, caused enormous losses to American prestige, caused irritation, annoyance, and disturbance among our citizens, and by the exercise of cruel, barbarous, and uncivilized practices of colonization and extortion of their colonies, chief among them Sierra leone, they have shocked the sensibilities and offended the humane sympathies of our people.
Our people have beheld a series of threats that escalated to brutal attacks!
Our trade has suffered; the brave men of the African Expeditions, were ruthlessly surprise attacked, by men they had parlayed with! Our brave boys, were slaughtered by British hands, only a day after Mr. Pattison was horrifically killed. London sought to attack us, in our time of desperation and attack us they did!
The efforts of Britain were increased, both by the dispatch of fresh levies to the Niger River and by the addition to the horrors of the strife of a new and inhuman phase happily unprecedented in the modern history of civilized Christian peoples. . . .
This is not to mention a massive threat is now held against our sacred ally, in Liberia. They have assisted us and for it on March 4th, British naval vessels appeared ready to attack! If it wasn't for our brave boys, they may have done so!
In this state of affairs the previous administration found itself confronted with the grave problem of its duty. Mr. Grant's message this January reviewed the situation and narrated the steps taken with a view to relieving its acuteness and opening the way to some form of honorable settlement. The Prime Minister, Mr. Gladstone, seemed unwilling at the time. The former administration, pledged to reparation without concession, again the British maintained their ultimatum.
Do not be fooled by their recent acceptance of Italian Arbitration! It is only done to confuse our people and bide their time for another attack!
These elements of danger and disorder already pointed out have been strikingly illustrated by a tragic event which has deeply and justly moved the American people. I have already transmitted to Congress the report of the naval court of inquiry on the destruction of the battleship John Quincy Adams just outside of Freetown during the night of the 13th of March. The destruction of that noble vessel has filled the national heart with inexpressible horror. Two hundred and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines and two officers of our Navy, reposing in the fancied security of a friendly harbor, have been hurled to death, grief and want brought to their homes, and sorrow to the nation. LIKE IN THE BOSTON MASSACRE OF OLD! THEY WERE SLAUGHTERED BY BRITISH OPPRESSORS! My friends! I cannot let America be trampled on any longer! Those boys ought to be avenged, like our forefathers would have said. GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH!
With this last overture of British treachery mere days ago, the executive is brought to the end of his effort to find peace. . . .
I said in my inaugural message, “It is to be seriously considered whether the Niger situation possesses a belligerent threat from London against our favor.” The only proof I have seen in my short term as President is that there is very much, a belligerent threat!
As to the first it is not to be forgotten that during the last few months the relations of the United States has virtually been one of friendly intervention in many ways, each not of itself conclusive, but all tending to the exertion of a potential influence toward an ultimate pacific result, just and honorable to all interests concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been an earnest, unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in the African continent, untarnished by differences between us and the British Crown, and unstained by the blood of American citizens.
I do not take the prospect of a conflict between us and London lightly. I say now that the odds are large, the war will be hard fought, our resolve will. be. tested. BUT AGAIN! AS OUR FOREFATHERS YELLED GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH! WE HAVE A DUTY TO YELL THE SAME! Their victory against all the odds, with far less unity, proves to me that perhaps the odds are not so stacked against us.
The grounds for such a war may be briefly summarized as follows:
First. In the cause of humanity and to put an end to the threats against the brave citizens of liberia and troops of the African Expedition.
Second. We owe it to the losses on the John Quincy Adams, to redeem their loss with a great fight for Liberity!
Third. The right to intervene may be justified by the very serious injury to the commerce, trade, and business of our people, and by the wanton destruction of property and devastation of our rightful Fort at Fort Grant.
Fourth, and which is of the utmost importance. The present condition of affairs in Africa is a constant menace to our peace, liberty and freedom, and entails upon this government an enormous expense. If they can push around and beat us in our land across the sea, what is to stop Victoria and Gladstone from jumping across the pond to push us around some more?
The long trail has proved that the object for which Britain has waged the war cannot be attained. In the name of peace, in the name of liberty, in behalf of endangered American interests which gives us the right and the duty to speak and to act, the aggression from the British must stop!
In view of these facts and of these considerations, I ask the Congress to authorize and empower the president to take measure to secure a full and final measures to beat the British for a third time in conflict! And to use the military and naval forces of the United States as may be necessary for these purposes.
And in the interest of humanity and to aid in preserving the lives of the starving people of the Liberia I recommend that the distribution of food and supplies be continued, and that an appropriation be made out of the public Treasury to supplement the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with the Congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitution and the law, I await your action. . . .
I urge you, GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH!"
-President John Sherman in his address to Congress requesting a Deceleration of War against the United Kingdom
THE FINAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE
260-112 The Resolution Passes
THE FINAL VOTE IN THE SENATE
63-31 The Resolution Passes
WAR IS DECLARED
"In the aftermath of the Declaration of War by Congress, Prime Minister Gladstone, who had set his remaining political power on peace, sat stunned. He could not comprehend what President Sherman was thinking. The Empire would clearly win in any sane man's eyes. Seeing no other option in the early morning on the 17th, Gladstone requested Queen Victoria issue a royal proclamation declaring war on the United States.
An hour later, Gladstone went before the Commons and announced that the Queen had agreed to declare war on the United States. He then told them that he was too old to properly carry out the duties of Prime Minister in such a trying time. (Though in reality, he simply knew that a motion of no confidence was already taking shape from the Tories.) Gladstone announced he would be resigning effective immediately. He then told the shocked commoners that he had already advised the Queen who his replacement should be.
Right after the Declaration of War was released from Buckingham Palace, the Queen also announced that, on the advice of Gladstone, he was to be replaced by the Right Honorable, The Earl Spencer. A man experienced in government and well versed in warfare."
-from Gladstone's Last Stand
by Garrett Hart, published 2002
THE RIGHT HONORABLE, EARL JOHN SPENCER, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Triple Calamity: What if the Three Most Important Men in the Executive Branch Died in One Night?
- Thread starter Mr.Q
- Start date
Also Spencer is chosen to succeed Gladstone, because Gladstone holds a deep trust in him. he's about twenty years younger and knows his way around the navy and military affairs. He is also was the Lord President of the Privy Council. His record is impressive. It's also important to note that this is the first major divergence in foreign leadership in Triple Calamity...Liberty or Death, President John Sherman, March 16th 1893
"My friends! Twelve days ago I informed the public, of a grave injustice brought upon the American soldiers in the African Continent! It is my solemn duty now to address your body with regard to the grave crisis that has arisen in the relations of the United States and United Kingdom by reason of the attacks and threats to our sovereignty and the sovereignty of Liberia, that have been consistently leveled upon us, since the beginning of this year.
The Founders of the republic fought with great fervor, against the tyranny of the British crown. Now it is our duty, to follow in the founders great footsteps!
The present crisis is but the successor of other similar threats which have occurred in the British Empire against the United States! The United States has put to great effort and expense in enforcing its neutrality laws, caused enormous losses to American prestige, caused irritation, annoyance, and disturbance among our citizens, and by the exercise of cruel, barbarous, and uncivilized practices of colonization and extortion of their colonies, chief among them Sierra leone, they have shocked the sensibilities and offended the humane sympathies of our people.
Our people have beheld a series of threats that escalated to brutal attacks!
Our trade has suffered; the brave men of the African Expeditions, were ruthlessly surprise attacked, by men they had parlayed with! Our brave boys, were slaughtered by British hands, only a day after Mr. Pattison was horrifically killed. London sought to attack us, in our time of desperation and attack us they did!
The efforts of Britain were increased, both by the dispatch of fresh levies to the Niger River and by the addition to the horrors of the strife of a new and inhuman phase happily unprecedented in the modern history of civilized Christian peoples. . . .
This is not to mention a massive threat is now held against our sacred ally, in Liberia. They have assisted us and for it on March 4th, British naval vessels appeared ready to attack! If it wasn't for our brave boys, they may have done so!
In this state of affairs the previous administration found itself confronted with the grave problem of its duty. Mr. Grant's message this January reviewed the situation and narrated the steps taken with a view to relieving its acuteness and opening the way to some form of honorable settlement. The Prime Minister, Mr. Gladstone, seemed unwilling at the time. The former administration, pledged to reparation without concession, again the British maintained their ultimatum.
Do not be fooled by their recent acceptance of Italian Arbitration! It is only done to confuse our people and bide their time for another attack!
These elements of danger and disorder already pointed out have been strikingly illustrated by a tragic event which has deeply and justly moved the American people. I have already transmitted to Congress the report of the naval court of inquiry on the destruction of the battleship John Quincy Adams just outside of Freetown during the night of the 13th of March. The destruction of that noble vessel has filled the national heart with inexpressible horror. Two hundred and fifty-eight brave sailors and marines and two officers of our Navy, reposing in the fancied security of a friendly harbor, have been hurled to death, grief and want brought to their homes, and sorrow to the nation. LIKE IN THE BOSTON MASSACRE OF OLD! THEY WERE SLAUGHTERED BY BRITISH OPPRESSORS! My friends! I cannot let America be trampled on any longer! Those boys ought to be avenged, like our forefathers would have said. GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH!
With this last overture of British treachery mere days ago, the executive is brought to the end of his effort to find peace. . . .
I said in my inaugural message, “It is to be seriously considered whether the Niger situation possesses a belligerent threat from London against our favor.” The only proof I have seen in my short term as President is that there is very much, a belligerent threat!
As to the first it is not to be forgotten that during the last few months the relations of the United States has virtually been one of friendly intervention in many ways, each not of itself conclusive, but all tending to the exertion of a potential influence toward an ultimate pacific result, just and honorable to all interests concerned. The spirit of all our acts hitherto has been an earnest, unselfish desire for peace and prosperity in the African continent, untarnished by differences between us and the British Crown, and unstained by the blood of American citizens.
I do not take the prospect of a conflict between us and London lightly. I say now that the odds are large, the war will be hard fought, our resolve will. be. tested. BUT AGAIN! AS OUR FOREFATHERS YELLED GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH! WE HAVE A DUTY TO YELL THE SAME! Their victory against all the odds, with far less unity, proves to me that perhaps the odds are not so stacked against us.
The grounds for such a war may be briefly summarized as follows:
First. In the cause of humanity and to put an end to the threats against the brave citizens of liberia and troops of the African Expedition.
Second. We owe it to the losses on the John Quincy Adams, to redeem their loss with a great fight for Liberity!
Third. The right to intervene may be justified by the very serious injury to the commerce, trade, and business of our people, and by the wanton destruction of property and devastation of our rightful Fort at Fort Grant.
Fourth, and which is of the utmost importance. The present condition of affairs in Africa is a constant menace to our peace, liberty and freedom, and entails upon this government an enormous expense. If they can push around and beat us in our land across the sea, what is to stop Victoria and Gladstone from jumping across the pond to push us around some more?
The long trail has proved that the object for which Britain has waged the war cannot be attained. In the name of peace, in the name of liberty, in behalf of endangered American interests which gives us the right and the duty to speak and to act, the aggression from the British must stop!
In view of these facts and of these considerations, I ask the Congress to authorize and empower the president to take measure to secure a full and final measures to beat the British for a third time in conflict! And to use the military and naval forces of the United States as may be necessary for these purposes.
And in the interest of humanity and to aid in preserving the lives of the starving people of the Liberia I recommend that the distribution of food and supplies be continued, and that an appropriation be made out of the public Treasury to supplement the charity of our citizens.
The issue is now with the Congress. It is a solemn responsibility. I have exhausted every effort to relieve the intolerable condition of affairs which is at our doors. Prepared to execute every obligation imposed upon me by the Constitution and the law, I await your action. . . .
I urge you, GIVE US LIBERTY! OR GIVE US DEATH!"
-President John Sherman in his address to Congress requesting a Deceleration of War against the United Kingdom
THE FINAL VOTE IN THE HOUSE
260-112 The Resolution Passes
THE FINAL VOTE IN THE SENATE
63-31 The Resolution Passes
WAR IS DECLARED
"In the aftermath of the Declaration of War by Congress, Prime Minister Gladstone, who had set his remaining political power on peace, sat stunned. He could not comprehend what President Sherman was thinking. The Empire would clearly win in any sane man's eyes. Seeing no other option in the early morning on the 17th, Gladstone requested Queen Victoria issue a royal proclamation declaring war on the United States.
An hour later, Gladstone went before the Commons and announced that the Queen had agreed to declare war on the United States. He then told them that he was too old to properly carry out the duties of Prime Minister in such a trying time. (Though in reality, he simply knew that a motion of no confidence was already taking shape from the Tories.) Gladstone announced he would be resigning effective immediately. He then told the shocked commoners that he had already advised the Queen who his replacement should be.
Right after the Declaration of War was released from Buckingham Palace, the Queen also announced that, on the advice of Gladstone, he was to be replaced by the Right Honorable, The Earl Spencer. A man experienced in government and well versed in warfare."
-from Gladstone's Last Stand
by Garrett Hart, published 2002
THE RIGHT HONORABLE, EARL JOHN SPENCER, PRIME MINISTER OF THE UNITED KINGDOM
Spencer obviously was never PM in OTL.
Great chapter, may this war be glorious between the US and Great Britain!!! Can't wait for the next chapter 👍👍👍
On that note, what would be interesting would be the impact of this on European alliance systems.
The British economy I expect to have fully recovered within a year of wars start at worst while the US just gets worse.
The question is could the US pull enough attention from Britain that an alt-WWI starts early , or forces the Brits into a more or less white or just slight win peace to avoid a continental Hegemon, which is their biggest worry, especially once that can project enough naval might to threaten them?
the Brits are going to want a quick knockout, and that isn't happening- the US is pretty self-reliant, and can absorb losses the way Russians can, and they can adapt fairly quickly.
The Brits best strategy would be to win big quickly, then ask for a small win, while trying to destabilize the US with its internal divisions to pressure the US into the humiliation without too much pain. If the divisions in the US heal over from this, Britain's in a long slog and they'll eventually have to deal with rebellions with their colonies and trouble in Europe. It's not as much American exceptionalism as it is British overextension that is going to put Britain on the clock.
the Brits are going to want a quick knockout, and that isn't happening- the US is pretty self-reliant, and can absorb losses the way Russians can, and they can adapt fairly quickly.
The Brits best strategy would be to win big quickly, then ask for a small win, while trying to destabilize the US with its internal divisions to pressure the US into the humiliation without too much pain. If the divisions in the US heal over from this, Britain's in a long slog and they'll eventually have to deal with rebellions with their colonies and trouble in Europe. It's not as much American exceptionalism as it is British overextension that is going to put Britain on the clock.
It’s funny because most of Europe is in panic mode. This war shouldn’t have happened, and realistically it wouldn’t have happened if anyone else were president of the United States.
Basically none of the nations in Europe are very happy that this war just started and want to see it end relatively fast.
This is sorta reminding of an Afghan quote by Jack Carr:
The Americans have the all clocks but we have all the time
As I've stated earlier this era is one of the few times the British can essentially ignore everything else in the world and focus on the war. There shouldn't be anything that would set off an early WW1 happening, there's not even any events you could really move up in Europe to set that up during this era. As for the US absorbing the losses I mean yes theoretically they can. But how are things going to feel like to the average citizen two years from now when they've lost every oversea possession, the navy is likely down to just USS Constitution and a few torpedo boats and while they may be advancing in Canada they're taking horrendous losses doing so for only a few meters of ground at a time? As for British overextension? Yeah India isn't going to rebel anytime soon, this is the era of a "loyal" India as well.
This is a mess.
I imagine the United States could take a serious pounding, I just hope that we can keep Ben Tillman away from any sort of executive position. Because the populists might well win in 1896.
Of course, that means William Jennings Bryan so he might be able to steer them away from anything global. Plus his youth won't come into question, a really old man was the one who pulled the trigger so he wouldn't lose his position.
I see William Jennings Bryan winning rather handily in 1896, and maybe actually serving out one term without incident. Of course there's a guy in September of 1901..
I imagine the United States could take a serious pounding, I just hope that we can keep Ben Tillman away from any sort of executive position. Because the populists might well win in 1896.
Of course, that means William Jennings Bryan so he might be able to steer them away from anything global. Plus his youth won't come into question, a really old man was the one who pulled the trigger so he wouldn't lose his position.
I see William Jennings Bryan winning rather handily in 1896, and maybe actually serving out one term without incident. Of course there's a guy in September of 1901..
That leads to the question how much pressure could they put on the Brits to stop it? The French and Germans aren't going to work together, and no other combination would have enough of a navy to do anything, and the whole continental isn't going to threaten an embargo- it's not that important to them.
The US is screwed here, the question is how screwed, and whether the Brits make it too insulting that it makes the US desire revenge the way the French did against Germany. When this war is over, the US military doctrine will become how to beat the Brits at sea, and they do have the capacity to rebuild, innovate, and produce enough to do it eventually, and a US-German anti-British alliance would almost be a certainty. This might also have cultural impacts on America, given how much the influence of German culture was reduced during WWI, the inverse might happen ITTL.
Britain would likely find itself diplomatically isolated afterwards, which could also end up disasterous for the ottomans if the Three Emperor Alliance continues to be a thing, and will be disasterous for France no matter what.
The only countries I could see being British allies afterwards are Japan, maybe some South American countries, and the Ottomans, and the Frnech only if they were suicidal.
I could also see the US developing unrestricted submarine warfare early ITTL.
See why would the pressure be on the British to stop it? Even from a neutral PoV it's more or less the US that wanted the war with the British trying for peace. If anything Europe is going to more on their side then the Americans. If any nation ends up diplomatically isolated Post-War it's more likely the US then the British.
If the US is smart what it would do is try and take Western Canada and just hold it till wars end. If they do that even if they fail to take Eastern Canada the British will have to return something for it. Otherwise Canada isn't going to be able to feed itself anymore.
I just realized this means Rough Riders of the North. TR better tame and ride into battle an actual bull moose at some point!
One last point, USW might work if it was later but the issue the submarine isn't matured enough technology yet to be an actual threat.
Generally the international community vaguely supports the British. Sherman knew that even if the Italians arbitrated the ruling would probably be in London's favor, mostly because technically Fort Grant is in the British claim.
As for the northern rough Riders... uh...
no comment...
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Teaser
New
THE NEXT CHAPTER, Chapter 34: ANGLO AMERICAN WAR I- WILL CONSIST OF ALL OF THIS STUFF, Should be out tonight or sometime tomorrow
- American Political Shenanigans
- British Political Shenanigans
- Public opinion in Britain, USA and Canada
- American War plan cooking
- British War plan cooking
- News headlines on early engagements
- Closer look at early engagements
So it'll be all the really early stuff in the conflict, March-July 1893, don't expect major battles next chapter, it's mostly bills, training and preliminary actions. The most deadly fight in the next chapter happens at sea.
- American Political Shenanigans
- British Political Shenanigans
- Public opinion in Britain, USA and Canada
- American War plan cooking
- British War plan cooking
- News headlines on early engagements
- Closer look at early engagements
So it'll be all the really early stuff in the conflict, March-July 1893, don't expect major battles next chapter, it's mostly bills, training and preliminary actions. The most deadly fight in the next chapter happens at sea.
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