I Became A Genius Of The French Royal Family [EN]: Chapter 171

It’s unnerving, to put it bluntly.

That was Jefferson’s honest feeling after returning to the White House following the summit.

Before this incident, he had no intention of abolishing slavery himself.

But now that the die is cast, there is only one path he must take.

As long as the United States continues to expand its power southward, if left unchecked, the Union itself will inevitably be consumed by the ideology of slavery.

Rather, he should see it as divine intervention that he has been able to gain the moral high ground.

However, he did not commit the folly of announcing the abolition of slavery outright.

Jefferson first focused on managing his approval ratings by steadily taking territory from the newly formed Mexican Empire with France.

[**Mexican Empire Fully Accepts Demands from France and the United States. President Jefferson’s Insight Further Expands the Territory of the Union**]

A compromise was forcibly passed, stipulating that Nouvel France [New France, referring to French territories in North America] would take the land north of central Texas, and the United States would take the land south of it.

As a result, Nouvel France firmly established its southern border from Arizona to California.

The United States also swallowed everything from southern Texas to the Sonora region in the west.

Thanks to this, the federal government was able to secure a bridgehead to the Pacific Ocean, albeit by going around the Gulf of Cortez.

This was naturally received as a tremendous achievement by Americans, who are enthusiastic about territorial expansion.

Including Louisiana and Florida, which were obtained through negotiation, the territory of the United States has increased by nearly a third during Jefferson’s term alone.

Having overwhelmingly boosted his approval ratings, Jefferson finally revealed the direction in which the United States should move forward in a public address.

“My dear citizens, our Union has overcome countless hardships and trials to get here. This was possible because our Union was united and moved forward together. Even an ordinary family cannot stand if it is divided into two. It goes without saying that the country is even more so. I will say it clearly here: The Union must never be divided.”

Having heard only this much, the Southern congressmen breathed a sigh of relief.

*Let’s just bury the issue for now, since further division is not good.*

As always, they expected things to be glossed over with the idea that good things are good.

The Southern congressmen even applauded, thinking their predictions were correct.

However.

“In order for the Union to continue to exist as one, we must not simply cover up the problems that are scattered like now. The state is like a person. A tumor that is not treated and continues to be postponed will eventually rot from the inside and lead to death. Slavery is the same. How can one country recognize blacks as residents in some areas and enslave blacks in others? Can you even imagine how much greater conflict and chaos will sweep through the Union in the future, even if it’s okay now? As President of this country, I can no longer postpone this decision.”

Something is wrong with the flow of the speech.

Southern congressmen began to exchange glances with stiff faces.

“I formally appeal to Congress and all the states of the Union: Slavery is no longer a system that can exist. Please cooperate so that the United States of America will not be recorded in history as the last country in the world to exploit slaves! Help us ensure that our descendants are not insulted as barbarians who disregard human rights by countries across the Atlantic! Let us join forces so that our children can be deeply proud to be citizens of the Union!”

“Ooooooh!”

“Long live President Jefferson!”

“For the proud Union!”

No sooner had he finished speaking than cheers erupted from everywhere.

Since Jefferson’s side occupied the majority in Congress anyway, there was no way to stop him if he decided to push ahead.

Even if they somehow managed to stop him, Jefferson’s popularity was absolute right now.

Looking ahead to the next election, there was no way to stop this trend no matter what they did.

It would only make their position more pathetic to argue here.

Southern congressmen, who quickly grasped the situation, quietly rose from their seats and left.

Of course, they did not forget to shout, “Down with the dictator!” before leaving.

Even as he watched them retreating with angry faces, Jefferson predicted that the possibility of the situation escalating to the worst was not very high.

No matter how much the South struggled, France would publicly announce its support next week.

Louisiana, the region that would resist most fiercely, had not yet properly established itself, and Texas was still only a nominal state.

If they put pressure on the South before its power grew and create an appropriate exit strategy, they would somehow be able to contain the conflict.

*Could it really lead to civil war?*

At worst, it would end with a brawl in Congress.

Until this point, almost everyone, even those based in the South, thought this way.

※※※

The day after Jefferson’s speech.

Southern senators and governors, who had convened an emergency meeting, all cursed at Jefferson and did not hesitate to use abusive language.

“How can such a thing happen in the world? Is it okay just because he’s the president? Is he allowed to decide the major affairs of the country as he pleases just because he’s the president? In that case, let’s just switch to a monarchy, shall we?”

“That’s what I’m saying. Frankly speaking, it’s just saying that we’re going to do this from now on, so you guys just shut up and follow us, right? What kind of democratic country is this! It’s a dictatorship disguised as a democratic country!”

“President Washington did not run the country like this. This is a clear challenge to democracy.”

Southern figures had a near-certain premonition that their political influence would be curtailed if things continued this way.

But the lack of a suitable breakthrough frustrated them.

“Then how can we solve this problem? President Jefferson seems to have already made up his mind.”

“Let’s first push the dictator frame to pressure Jefferson. Let’s mobilize the newspapers to spread rumors that Jefferson wants to become king.”

“Well… considering Jefferson’s popularity right now, I don’t think it will have any effect and will just be ignored.”

The support that Jefferson received at the speech was almost reaching the realm of religion.

Even in the South, the commoners who did not have slaves were showing a reaction that was hooked on Jefferson’s opinion.

If time passes like this, they may end up being isolated by the public opinion.

Before it’s too late, it was necessary to unite the Southerners and make their position clear.

“…What about leaving the Union altogether?”

“That’s why Jefferson emphasized at the beginning that the Union must be one. He’s a very cunning man. If we say we’re leaving the Union, he’ll immediately brand us as traitors who undermine the unity of the Union.”

“Whether he does that or not, we can just withdraw. If we gather the power of the South into one, the North won’t be able to beat us without taking damage.”

The states that are vehemently opposed to the abolition of slavery are not just one or two, including Georgia, Florida, Alabama, and South Carolina.

Even if it’s difficult to become a substantial force, they were confident that Texas and Louisiana would also cooperate with them.

However, Aaron Burr of the Democratic-Republican Party, who had been silent until now, clicked his tongue and raised his hand.

“I understand your thoughts, but think about the meaning of Jefferson giving such a speech after holding a meeting with the French Prime Minister. Isn’t it only possible to think that there must have been some kind of agreement with the French side?”

“That’s true, but… aren’t you Jefferson’s close ally? Besides, I know you’re from New Jersey, so why are you here?”

“That’s because I don’t agree with Jefferson, so I’m here. I want to lend you a hand too.”

Aaron Burr, who had smoothly walked the path of a politician by making contributions in the American Revolutionary War, was originally a progressive figure.

He was a radical who supported the abolition of slavery and even argued that women should be given the right to vote.

However, it was unfortunate that he had an extremely bad relationship with the current Secretary of the Treasury, Alexander Hamilton.

Jefferson sided with Hamilton between Hamilton and Aaron Burr, and Aaron Burr was naturally pushed out of politics.

Aaron Burr was even in the same party as Jefferson, but he was pushed out by the Federalist Hamilton.

In the end, Aaron became increasingly hateful of Jefferson and Hamilton and only looked for ways to screw them over.

For him, this slavery abolition commotion was the best opportunity.

If he could screw Jefferson over, he didn’t care about his past beliefs that supported the abolition of slavery.

“If France takes the side of the North, this side will be lightly swept away even if it forms a coalition. Don’t you remember how powerful the Nouvel France army was in the last war with Mexico?”

“Ahem! No matter how much, we are not at the level to be compared with Mexico.”

“The Nouvel France army overwhelmingly suppressed the same French army even in the French civil war. Why do you think their civil war ended in just three days? The Nouvel France army is out of standard.”

As it was Aaron Burr’s opinion, who had made great contributions in the Revolutionary War, other lawmakers could not easily refute it.

“Then does that mean we have no choice but to bend over because defeat is certain even if we fight?”

“No. The important thing is that the North is even thinking of borrowing the power of foreign forces if necessary. If they’re doing that, is there any reason for this side to just suffer like fools? We can just find allies.”

“Allies, you mean…”

“There’s only one country that can stand against France. I’ve already finished talking with their Prime Minister. I don’t know how he knew, but he contacted me right away.”

No one here did not understand which country Aaron was referring to.

The governor of South Carolina, who had been arguing for secession from the Union most enthusiastically, immediately changed his expression and took the bait.

“Really? Did England say they would help us first?”

“Yes. The current British Prime Minister, William Pitt, is no ordinary person. It’s true that we have an awkward relationship with England, but the Pitt family has been arguing that the United States should not be suppressed. Besides, they won’t want France’s influence to get any stronger, so there’s a clear reason for them to cooperate with each other.”

“Certainly, Pitt was friendly to us…”

Although we can’t trust the British, it’s a different story if there’s someone who has been friendly to the United States all along.

Especially if that’s the current Prime Minister of England, it’s welcome without a doubt.

The faces of the Southern lawmakers instantly brightened as they found an unexpected breakthrough.

“Then let’s have a serious discussion. Aaron, please invite that British diplomat who contacted you to this side next time.”

“Understood.”

Even if France pushes the North, it’s worth fighting if England pushes this side.

Of course, they had no intention of starting a direct civil war.

What Aaron and the Southern lawmakers were aiming for was to maintain the balance of power and go their separate ways.

The North, which will abolish slavery, can form a union among themselves, and the South, which will continue to carry on slavery, can form a league among themselves.

To do this, it is necessary to have enough military power to prevent the North from attacking this side recklessly.

The power is slightly lacking now, but if England fills this, there couldn’t be anything better.

The Southern lawmakers, who had been crumpled up like toilet paper, got up from their seats, laughing and joking as if nothing had happened.

God had not abandoned them yet.

It was a time to realize once again that the grace of the almighty God was only directed at them, the white people.

※※※

“The movements of the South are unusual?”

The news coming in real time from the United States was taking on an increasingly grim aspect.

Jefferson seemed to be flustered by the South’s attitude, which was coming out more strongly than he had expected.

South Carolina was the first to take the lead and expressed its intention to secede from the Union, and the states that supported slavery followed suit.

Jefferson threatened that military sanctions would be imposed on those who broke the order of the Union, but the South easily ignored the warning.

“It’s as you predicted, Prime Minister. The South really seems to think it doesn’t matter even if they go to war with the North.”

Lavoisier scratched his head as if he didn’t understand.

“I didn’t expect them to come out so strongly even after France issued an official statement supporting President Jefferson’s decision. Don’t you think the North thinks similarly?”

“I told you. War is bound to break out.”

“Why did you expect that?”

“If I were Pitt, I wouldn’t miss this opportunity.”

The only reason the South can still be so high-spirited even though it has hinted that the North has France on its back.

Because they have a reliable backer.

And currently, there is only one country in the world that has such power.

“Is England thinking of confronting France again? Because of such a problem?”

“No. There’s no reason for us to directly confront England. We’re just supplying weapons and training soldiers so that the North can have a smooth war. England will think the same way. They’re probably churning out weapons like crazy right now, right?”

Lavoisier nodded with a sullen face as if he finally understood.

“In the end, it’s the logic of capital.”

“Yes. It’s the best situation we could have hoped for.”

If England hadn’t intervened, the civil war would have ended before we could even sell much supplies.

But things will be different if the North and South start fighting with roughly similar forces.

Just like how the United States made huge profits by selling supplies during World War I in the original history.

We’ll be able to make a lot of money too.

Even unlike England, which has to cross the Atlantic, we can send goods directly from the states that have the Great Lakes.

It’s so reassuring to have someone who understands you even when you’re far away.

Pitt is probably thinking the same thing across the Atlantic.

“Now, let’s wish the North good luck.”

A toast to the fighters who stood up for freedom and equality.