James B. Weaver

James Baird Weaver was the 22nd President of the United States of America, from 1893-1901, the first President-elect since the Civil War not to be a Democrat and the first American Labor Party President. Before becoming President, Weaver was instrumental in the formation of the Labor Party under the William Tecumseh Sherman administration, then the crystallisation of the party under the presidency of Grover Cleveland. He was nominated for the party's choice for the election at 98%, and went on to beat Cleveland in a close and unexpected election.

His election brought about much fear and paranoia amongst Loyalists in the Confederate States, who believed the incumbent Stonewall Jackson would not be capable enough to fight back the waves of American socialism. Despite this, Weaver called for calm, and promised Jackson there would be "no red wave into the South".

Weaver brought about swift economic reforms to the Union, including a degree of welfarism and state intervention in the economy, which did not sit well with various moderate Democrat opposites. The reforms were, however, successful in revitalising the American industry, and pushed the country back into its stage of industrialisation.

Cleveland once again faced Weaver in the 1896 election, but Weaver once again won with his margin extended. In his second term, he focused on American agriculture in the West, and sent aid to Mexican refugees attempting to escape Confederate colonies in the north.

His success, however, did not last. The Labor Party lost the 1900 election to the Democrats once again, and Weaver was succeeded by Adlai Stevenson.