What if Thomas Jefferson Took Over France

Not long after the United States victory in the American Revolution, Thomas Jefferson, one of the key Founding Fathers that helped shape early America, was appointed as the US Minister to France. But, only a few years later, the French Revolution would end up breaking out, overthrowing the French Monarchy, instating a new Republic. Jefferson wanted to stay in France to help the Republic, but ended up having to return home. But, ten years later, France would end up coming under the control of Napoleon Bonaparte. But, what if that changed? What if Thomas Jefferson stayed in France? Enjoy!
VIDENTIS' VIDEO: • What if NAPOLEON Becam...
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MUSIC:
American Medley: • American Medley
Lent et Grave: • Trois gymnopédies: No....
1812 Overture Finale: • 1812 Overturn, Op. 49
Video Chapters:
0:00 Introduction
0:10 Background
4:36 Jacobin Jefferson
6:09 Scenario
9:42 Videntis
10:07 Outro

[@adamhenrywalker]

Jefferson would have been to Napoleon what Aristotle was to Alexander

[@derrickstorm6976]

I don't think Napoleon would have been very interested in what Jefferson had to say? Not only was he a dictator and Jefferson a libertarian, but their interests in different areas of politics also wouldn't have met at all

[@logandaly7649]

​@@derrickstorm6976well it was said Napoleon had idolized George Washington, so I think it would make since that an American enlightened thinker influenced by Washington would have also been idolized but idk

[@yannislaurin-kamouche]

​@@derrickstorm6976Napoleon is not a dictator

[@Fuzznator]

@@yannislaurin-kamouchehe was

[@yannislaurin-kamouche]

@@Fuzznator how

[@InfernosReaper]

This one really doesn't pan out right. This whole thing hinges on Jefferson not having enough influence in the revolution to change any events within it, while also being ostracized for his great influence in the revolution. Jefferson would do everything he could to stop the execution of the king and it would be well known. That would greatly influence how the US sees and treats him, even if he fails. Additionally, if Jefferson is outright leading France, instead of Napoleon, it's going to be much harder for France to fall, because Napoleon won't be able to stretch his forces too thin and waste resources with war against a far off opponent like Russia. He also might could've negotiated better with Russia in the first place, since Napoleon wasn't exactly known to be a great diplomat and Jefferson was.

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

(This scenario isn’t supposed to be realistic)

[@InfernosReaper]

@@JoshSullivanHistory Why not?

[@derrickstorm6976]

I like the first paragraph a lot, but I'd say there wouldn't be a long war in the 1800's because the Coalition would almost freely march to Paris and reinstate the Bourbons

[@derrickstorm6976]

​@@JoshSullivanHistorywhat's the point of hypotheticals if they don't have to be based in reality? Should just call it fantasy then

[@JoshSullivanHistory]

@@derrickstorm6976 Not every alternate history scenario needs to be firmly realistic. You can write a scenario for the purpose of storytelling instead of realism. Though I do generally try to keep my scenarios realistic, not this one.

[@MonsieurDean]

6:56 "As time goes on Jefferson becomes more blackpilled."

[@adamhenrywalker]

Then he wouldn’t have come to America

[@bones6448]

This isn't thought out well. First of all, Napoleon would absolutely try to overthrow jefferson and take charge of France, theres no way he doesnt. Second, lets say Jefferson somehow remains in control, why is France defeated? Because jefferson isn't napoleon, he doesn't want to take over europe, he'd very likely settle for a negotiated peace with Britain, would likely be in favor of restoring the balance of power, albeit while respecting some French gains, and wouldn't prod the european powers like Napolean did. Theres just no way France continues war with jefferson at the helm.

[@spiderlime]

what if napoleon chose to return to italy after graduating from the military academy in ffrance, and became the emperor of the unified italy?

[@derrickstorm6976]

What do you mean by any of that, Corsica was a under French control when Napoleon was born there, and Italy wasn't united until far after the Napoleonic wars. In fact 90 years after Napoleon graduated so he likely would never have lived long enough to see a united Italy

[@augth]

Napoleon was never in Italy, he spent his youth in Corsica which was already French then went north to the military school.

[@mathieuleader8601]

love how serious Jefferson looks in the thumbnail

[@Theover4000]

Interesting concept, just clicked over. Can't wait to see what you craft up!

[@codenameulp1495]

Have you ever thought about doing a video on what if Churchill won the 1945 election instead of Atlee? Maybe the Empire could be spared a few more years. I wonder how he’d deal with the Indian situation.

[@frost860108]

can you do a video on what if the Ottomans taken Vienna and invaded Austria also love you're videos

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Incredible video as always Josh! And very happy that videntis Made an apparence!

[@user-wl7hj8hc7y]

Cool vid

[@danielsantiagourtado3430]

Your videos are amazing josh! Please do a Victorious Napoleon III!❤❤❤❤❤

[@Stuff_centeral]

i second this

[@cameroonemperor755]

I third this

[@frenchempire9471]

I forth this

[@redjirachi1]

Aaron Burr: Now who's the villain Jefferson? Now who's the villain?!

[@Matolus]

what if France won the peninsula war?

[@derrickstorm6976]

Honhon intensifies

[@michelwardynski6498]

I always enjoy imaginative alternative timeline scenarios. This one was barely plausible by still entertaining. The only thing that lacked imagination was your reliance on the word “but” in final 2 or 3 minutes. It was used repeatedly in the same was for several consecutive sentences. It’s a minor issue for sure BUT go back and listen to it yourself and see what I mean. Substituting in “however” or “in contrast” in place of some of those “but”s would reduce the tape-loop feel towards the end.

[@TheFastshelby]

given jefferson's awsomeus, they wouldnt even bother with a trial. it would of undermined the whole revolultion. they would of exiled him to france. never would of arrested or even dared execute him.

[@Tom-jg9de]

You know what if Poland was to Germany in ww2 or if not poland Netgeland

[@maxschon7709]

Le Chef-Erson

[@Antonio-ej8wp]

Something ironic is Jefferson support of Montegards despite Jacobinism sharing more similarities with american Federalists than Jeffersonian Democracy mainly that they were pro-central big government

[@itamarleitmann827]

Iam in your discord

[@nobodynobodys3828]

Would have been an empire of Liberty

[@randallrona9618]

What if the Philippines won the Philippine-American War?

[@coopernieman9623]

Love these videos! Could you do a What if Tsar Nicholas II actually helped russia?

[@death-istic9586]

Hi!

[@LVCE.]

Jumbo josh

[@Fuzznator]

I dont think the equilibrium between napoleon and jefferson would be stable, napoleon still wanted power and jefferson was still an american, at the first good occasion he will still make a coup and probably take power, it all depends on the stability and popularity of the french jefferson government

[@josepsamarrafarre]

That was so fun that I had to subscribe automatically!

[@Andrew-cn7zy]

if jefferson stayed in france then hed be french and not be a us president

[@derrickstorm6976]

It says nowhere a POTUS can't have lived in a foreign country as their citizen, only that they have born in the US and are a citizen during their election

[@norikvods]

nice alt history like allways

[@LordValorum]

...What the fuck?

[@Pandacous]

Fun but dumb scenario

[@derrickstorm6976]

For all of it's isolationism, the US sure has caused a lot of grief in Europe

[@Antonio-ej8wp]

Thermidorians were classical liberals?

[@nightspawnson-of-luna4936]

I know some people are saying that this is unrealistic... I say that's good... Alt History can sometimes be way too boring and Predictable when you make it "realistic" I say Bring on the ASBs and Sealions... That's what makes Alt history fun and got me into it...

[@JediHobbit89]

Unfathomably based timeline

[@mappingshaman5280]

I dont think thomas jefferson would lose because i dont think he'd set up a continental system and i don't think he'd to to war with russia. I also doubt he'd betray spain. These were napoleon's biggest mistakes and if he's not the leader and just the general, france would win.

[@MrLraewoo]

1h ago

[@Colenin.]

I kinda hate it when u say Josh with that american access. Idk it makes me sick

[@Thatoneretardwithaaccount]

So much for “lOgIcAl HiStOrY”

[@anonymoususer8895]

France but based