Timeline (Independent States of America)

The following is a timeline of events in the Indepedent States of America timeline. Events before this timeline's POD (November 1860) are the same as in OTL and are therefore not included. In the same token, events after November 1860 that are exactly or nearly the same as in OTL are not included.

General Overview of Timeline
This alternate history timeline is a variation of the popular alternate American Civil War ending genre, with one major twist: instead of the secession and establishment of the pro-slavery, Southern-based Confederate States of America following the election of Northern anti-slavery candidate Abraham Lincoln, the Northern states secede and form the Independent States of America after the election of a pro-slavery candidate to the Presidency. Just as in OTL, the North wins due to its wartime advantages, but now America is divided into two nations.

1860
Massachusetts becomes the first state to secede shortly after the election. By the end of the year, several others have seceded and a Provisional Government has been formed in Boston.

1861
Several more states secede and join the growing I.S.A. after U.S. President Jefferson Davis calls for troops to defeat the separatist movement. Delegates from the seceding states hold an election for an I.S. President. Ulysses S. Grant wins a plurality over Abraham Lincoln and other candidates. Fighting begins in May as Union and Independent troops clash in southern Pennsylvania.

Fighting continues for the rest of the year. I.S. forces wage a defensive war as Union troops attempt invasions of southern PA and Illinois. Both Union campaigns fail to gain ground.

1862
First half of the year is much like last half of 1861, with stalemate and defensive action by the Independent Army. In July, President Grant takes direct command of I.S. troops after incompetent leadership by several commanding generals.