John Bell as president.

[major bill]

John Bell had a very slim chance of becoming president in 1860. I have to wonder how he would have done as President. His only chance would be if he was the winner in a split electoral college. Bell was simply not pro slavery enough for the deep South. My take is the deep South still secedes if Bell is elected. The border states and Virginia do not secede at that time. Bell does nothing to stop the South from secedeing and becomes unpopular in the North and so lacks the power to pass laws protecting and expanding slavery. In the end Bell's hands off slavery and inability to protect and expand sllavery will not set Virginia and the border states. All will secede during his presidency.

I not sure if Bell was completely pro slavery or not. During the Civil War he did support the Confedery and was considered a "Rebel'. In 1860/61 a politician kind of had to choose sides. Bell choose slavery and the Confedery, but also choose to sit out the War. Bell was too pro slavery for the North, not pro slavery enough for the South.

 

[Josh The Lighthouse Guy]

I think a Bell election staves off secession, but probably only 4 years until a Republican is elected.

If the Deep South secedes anyway and Bell does nothing to resist then I think that guarantees a Republican victory in 1864.

 

[archieclement]

I think a Bell election staves off secession, but probably only 4 years until a Republican is elected.

If the Deep South secedes anyway and Bell does nothing to resist then I think that guarantees a Republican victory in 1864.

I agree likely staves secession.

The other be interesting on the speculative turns. The lose of democrat states would suggest republican in 64 based on that alone.......but if a republican platform was seen saber rattling, would that swing more northern votes democrat, as well how the border states would react interesting what ifs.

If Bell indeed did nothing for 4 years, wouldn't it significantly change game to if Republicans were somehow belatedly pursuing some reunification, the Confederacy would likely gotten significant recognition if left alone four years.