President of Ambrose

President of the Ambrosian Confederal Republic
Coat of arms of Ambrose
Incumbent John Frederick Cleburne since 10 November 2013
Style	The Honorable
Member of	Cabinet of Ambrose
Residence	Executive Mansion Elsbridge, Ambrose
Term length	Six years
Precursor	King of Ambrose
Formation	17 December 1846
First holder	Nathaniel Gorham
Deputy	Prime Minister

The President of the Ambrosian Confederal Republic (Anglish: Folkƿald of Ambrose, Northumbric: ᚪᛗᛒᚱᚢᚳᚪ ᚾᚸᛖᚠᚪ, Ambruca ngeva) is the executive head of state of Ambrose. The president also serves as the commander-in-chief of the Confederal Armed Forces. The role and nature of the office has varied considerably throughout the existence of the Confederal Republic.

The current president of the Confederal Republic is General John Frederick Cleburne, who has served since 10 November 2013.

History

Origins

The office of the presidency first originated in with the Provisional Confederation, an alliance of revolting thanedred governments brought together by Humbert Holstead and Nathaniel Gorham that, over the course of the Ambrosian Revolution. In the Confederal Association, the thanedreds rejected the possibility of unilateral separation from the monarchy, affirming their commitment to maintaining the perpetual union of Ambrose—creating the Ambrosian Confederal Republic. In the Confederal Association, the office of "President of the House Assembled" was created, and Nathaniel Gorham was appointed by the new House of Burgesses until a presidential election could be held.

The office took much inspiration from Aucurian writings, such as those of Bendiktas Klimantis.

Taking office upon the conclusion of the revolution, Gorham quickly found the position restrictive and impotent. As established by the Association, the president had little explicitly-delegated executive power, with its most visible role as presiding officer of the House. As the House became gridlocked and thanedreds began threatening to revoke the Assocation, Gorham, along with several others, became convinced that a powerful and decisive executive was necessary.

Prior to the revolution, Gorham had been introduced to the writings of Bendiktas Klimantis, the founder and inaugural president of the Aucurian Republic. With the inauguration of the Elsbridge Convention, intended to draft a constitution for the nation, Gorham and his supporters began agitating for the inclusion of an article defining and expanding the powers of the presidency. The diplomatic visit of then-president of Aucuria, Ramūnas Petkevičius, was a major boon to the campaign.

The Fundamental Articles, ratified in January 1850, took significant inspiration from Article VI of the Constitution of Aucuria in its establishment of a powerful executive presidency. Gorham would die of a stroke, however, before he would be able to exercise his new powers when the constitution came into effect in November of that year.

List of Presidents

  Unaffiliated   Military government   Liberal   Federalist   Radical   Reform

№	Portrait (Birth–Death)	Name	Term of Office		Political Party	Deputy
President of the Confederal Republic
1		Nathaniel Gorham (1787 - 1850)	17 December 1848	26 May 1850	Unaffiliated	Murdechaigh Asquith
			Considered the founder of modern Ambrose. Former statesman in the House of Lords. Along with Humbert Holstead, led the republican military forces during the Ambrosian Revolution and assumed informal political leadership over the Provisional Confederation for the duration of the war. Elected president by the House of Burgesses in December 1848, vigorously campaigned for the assertion of an independent executive branch, leading to the passage of the Fundamental Articles in 1850. Died of a stroke days before 1848 presidential election.
2		Murdechaigh Asquith (1808 - 1860)	26 May 1850	11 April 1852	Unaffiliated	—
			Formerly the Viscount Ipsham, previously an outspoken member of King Edgard IX's court before defecting to the republican cause during the Ambrosian Revolution. A noble with liberal leanings, Asquith was viewed as a compromise candidate between pro- and anti-administration factions. He was the first president to be popularly elected. Refused to sign Sedition Acts, creating government impasse and triggering unsuccessful vote of no-confidence. Failed to suppress Nullification Rebellion, leading to a national crisis and his deposition by the military.
3		Henry John Pinckney (1795 - 1863)	11 April 1852	1 May 1858	Unaffiliated (Military government)	—
			Suppressed Nullification Rebellion through military force, firmly establishing the principle of confederal supremacy. After facing harsh criticism from the House of Burgesses as to the military's conduct during the rebellion, Pinckney indefinitely suspended the House, ruling by decree and signing the Sedition Acts into law. Faced local rebellions in the Northumberland and Trelawney, suspending confederal government and instituting direct rule. Stepped down due to poor health in 1858.
4		Godfred Crovan (1807 - 1864)	1 May 1858	27 October 1865	Unaffiliated (Military government)	James Herbert Ross
			Won out army power struggle for presidency; introduced liberal social reforms while centralizing power in the Confederal Government. Formulated policy of "Njord Politic", designed to restore Ambrose's great power status; this entailed aggressive naval buildups, restructuring of the army with Cotesworth Reforms, as well as the increase of international trade through lowered tariffs, all in order to pose a challenge to Sjealand's maritime trade hegemony. Engaged in new and adept diplomacy, including an alliance with Swastria, leading to the Great War of the North. Successful military leadership in Lothican and Wosrac lead to the popular epithet of the "Battlefield President". Killed in action during the Siege of Asgård.
5		James Herbert Ross (1821 - 1886)	27 October 1865	12 January 1866	Unaffiliated (Military government)	George Grayman
			Crovan's Vice President, first VP to accede to the presidency. Largely considered a political appointment, despite brevetted rank of general. Saw deterioration of war effort, including prominent defeats at Asgård and Tynikia, and suffered from falling public support. Removed by army faction led by Vice President, George Grayman, in January 1866.
		Military Government	12 January 1866	20 January 1869	Unaffiliated (Military government)	George Grayman Israel Olesaw Samuel Gerrish Duncan Milledge William H.S. French Lucius Clay
			Managed war effort during final stages of Great War of the North; paralyzed by infighting on both war aims and social policy. Hosted Congress of Dalganburgh in 1867, ending the war. Inability to agree on final treaty demands led to "mutilated victory". Forced by public pressure to hold first free confederal elections since 1848 in 1868, allowing for peaceful transition to civilian government.
6		Fordwin Lyle (1807 - 1863)	20 January 1869	20 January 1875	Liberal	Maladay Jones
			Narrowly won bitterly contested election. Moved country from silver standard to gold standard in attempt to alleviate post-war depression. Campaigned extensively for restoration of self government for Northumbrian thanedreds, but his sponsored bill narrowly failed in the House of Burgesses. Oversaw ratification of Fundamental Articles of 1874, restoring constitutional law. Lost popular support following prolonged depression, stemming from Panic of 1873.
7		Richard Powell (1813 - 1875)	20 January 1875	20 January 1881	Federalist	George Hartnell
			Suppressed Luddite movements through military action. Organized the confederated militias into the Home Guard. Notable for staunch opposition to Northumbrian confederation, preventing passage of Northumbrian Home Rule Bill 1879 after threatening resignation. Introduced the graduated income tax against fierce Liberal protests.
8		John Hutson Kerr (1833 - 1898)	20 January 1881	20 January 1887	Liberal	Samuel Gerrish
			Ran on a platform of small government. Relaxed protectionist policies to allow for international free trade. Repealed confederal income tax. Restored confederated rule to the Northumberland in Northumbrian Home Rule Act 1885, averting open rebellion.
9		Zebulon D. Pomeroy (1822 - 1896)	20 January 1887	20 January 1893	Federalist	George Hartnell
			A protectionist, he fiercely opposed the Liberal policy of reciprocity with Sjealand, vetoing the Buckley-Allison Act 1890. Introduced several economic stimulus bills including the Tariff Package of 1890, and reintroduced the income tax by executive order in 1892.
10		James Hark Morrow (1833 - 1896)	20 January 1893	15 September 1896	Federalist	Malcolm MacGann
			Overcame Liberal opposition to secure government funding for the Great Northern Railroad. Attempted to centralize government control of education, leading to the Northumbrian Schools Question; Confederal Education Act 1895 rejected by the Supreme Court. Died halfway through his term of pneumonia.
11		Malcolm MacGann (1840 - 1917)	15 September 1896	20 January 1899	Federalist	—
			Signed into law Pagan Exclusion Act, which placed restrictions on immigration. Accused of turning a blind eye to graft and corruption in his administration. Labeled "President MacScam" after becoming widely unpopular after sponsoring Legislative Reapportionment Act 1898, perceived as blatantly partisan gerrymandering. Voted out in 1898, first electoral defeat of a sitting president.
12		Robert Egmont Vaughn (1848 - 1921)	20 January 1899	20 January 1905	Liberal	Woodrow Addison Cinch
			First president born under the Republic. Introduced limited coinage of silver with Silver Act 1904, winning support from the Tenant Agrarian Party. Successfully pushed for passage of MacLachlan Anti Trust Act, alienating business leaders in the process.
13		Bowdyn Canning (1850 - 1926)	20 January 1905	20 January 1911	Liberal	Alexander Lowell Cavendish
			Won contested election of 1904, narrowly avoiding civil infighting. Land Reserve Act 1913 established National Reserve park system. Increased international economic relations, however was unable to stabilize economy following Asgård stock market crash of 1909. Made unpopular by a series of graft and corruption scandals. Defeated in 1910 presidential election.
14		Theodore Sedgwick (1861 - 1930)	20 January 1911	30 March 1913	Radical	Winthrop Phelps
			Riding a populist wave, first Radical to win the presidency. Fiercely opposed by business interests and hampered by gridlocked legislature. Attempted to implement wide-reaching economic reforms by issuing failed legislation as executive orders, including the Public Works Act and the Fair Competition Act, the latter of which sought to eliminate "destructive competition" and set prices. Many reforms were seen as unconstitutional, and he was impeached in highly-controversial trial.
15		Winthrop Phelps Alexander (1863 - 1832)	30 March 1913	20 January 1917	Liberal	—
			Formerly the Liberal VP to Sedgwick, inaugurated upon the former's impeachment. Attempted to push through economic relief legislation, stymied by fluctuating majority in House of Burgesses. After the Radical-Liberal coalition's permanent loss of legislative control in 1915, attempted to rely on support from the military instead, appointing officers to key positions in his cabinet.
16		George Lyall Ward (1861 - 1924)	20 January 1917	3 October 1921	Federalist	Ebenezer Palfrey
			Elected with support of military-industrial coalition, including dissident Liberals defecting from the Phelps ticket. Pressured by radical domestic factions such as Nonpartisan League to apply pressure to neighbors to settle territorial disputes, causing the Continental War. The administration's gross civilian mismanagement of the war effort lead to an estrangement from his military supporters. Refused to introduce conscription, deposed by the Army General Staff in 1921.
17		Anselm Sproat (1877 - 1924)	3 October 1921	2 January 1924	Unaffiliated (Military government)	Bradleigh Humbealde
			Seized power from Lyall Ward during the conscription crisis of 1921, assuming dictatorial powers due to the worsening military situation. Collapse of the Ecgheard Line in 1922 lead to the invasion of Ambrose. Refused sue for peace; declaring a guerilla war against the invaders. Brutal asymmetric warfare in the second stage of the war saw death of millions of Ambrosians, including Wood at the 1924 Battle of Sharpsburgh Bridge.
18		Ebenezer Palfrey (1874 - 1926)	15 May 1923	19 July 1924	Federalist	Tobias Thompson Fitzgerald
			Declared civilian government in Elsbridge in opposition to Beatty Wood's resistance; was quickly recognized by the international community. Signed Treaty of Dalganburgh ending the Continental War. Failed to end food shortages, leading to the outbreak of the Black Revolution. Deposed by military in 1924, dying of Sjealandian grippe shortly after.
19		Arthur MacDougall Keats (18 - 1958)	19 July 1924	12 September 1925	Unaffiliated (Military government)	Jedediah Stacy
			Formerly part of the Army General Staff until 1920, amassed enough support from army and revanchist veterans organizations to mount a coup against Palfrey's unelected civilian government. Declaring martial law, ruthlessly persecuted campaign against syndicalist, anarchist, and leftist revolutionaries. Assassinated by John Edgar Pankhurst, a syndicalist, shortly after quelling the Black Revolution.
20		Cantwine Beatty Wood (1870 - 1934)	12 September 1925	10 November 1929	Unaffiliated (Military government)	—
			Credited with keeping stability in years following Black Revolution by suppressing leftist movements as well as their perceived supporters in government. Famously ordered summary execution of Dirk Hewlett. Introduced Veterans Grievances Act, which provided demobilized army veterans with factory and labor jobs. Returned civilians to many prominent posts in government, thus preparing for a transition to democracy.
21		George Howell Germain (1873 - 1941)	10 November 1929	10 November 1935	Liberal	Livingston Phelps
			Elected in bitterly-contested mudslinging election. Relaxed government centralization, returning certain spending and taxing powers back to the thanedreds. Pushed for social welfare and domestic labor reforms, both without much success. Ended public executions. Passed the Fifth Amendment to the Constitution, eliminating the presidential line of succession and replacing it with a special election.
22		Frederic Townsend (1870 - 1958)	10 November 1935	10 November 1941	Unaffiliated (Military government)	Meade Kimball II
			Elected on revanchist platform, first military president to have been elected democratically. Restored international relations through Townsend Treaties, while refusing to pay war reparations. Following Lansbrook Crisis, launched the Northumberland War, re-incorporating the Kingdom of Northumbria into the Republic. Left office in poor hea
23		Edgard Macaulay Browne (1878 - 1949)	10 November 1941	10 November 1947	Federalist	Thomas Jackson Church
			Elected with Townsend's support; presided over Second Continental War. Despite pressure from radicals such as in the Nonpartisan League, remained neutral in Second Continental War. Accused of war profiteering by opponents for selling weapons to both Austrosia and Teutonia; improves economy by this.
24		Jeremiah Allston Adair (1905 - 1980)	10 November 1947	10 November 1953	Liberal	Paul Dudley Sargent
			Second president of Northumbrian descent. First introduced universal suffrage over the age of 20 with Voting Rights Act 1948. Presided over the nation's centennial, organizing the Centennial Exposition. Faced chronic inflation and rising unemployment.
25		Elisha Leavitt (1895 - 1966)	10 November 1953	25 December 1958	Liberal	Paul Dudley Sargent
			Elected due to the failure of the Federalists to nominate a single candidate. Improved economy through deficit spending. Attempted to strengthen international ties, leading to Ambrose becoming a founding member of the Nordanian League. Presided over Steel Ring Scandal, shaking public faith in government. Following his implication in the scandal, faced impeachment vote in House, resigning Christmas Day, 1958.
—		Paul Dudley Sargent (1901 - 1964)	25 December 1958	10 November 1959	Liberal	—
			Interim president, formerly Leavitt's Vice President. Attempted to continue Leavitt's economic policies, blocked by Burgessional opposition. Failed to secure Liberal ticket for 1959 election, losing to Harold Gamble, effectively rendering him a lame duck even before the election. Last elected Liberal president before the party's 1967 dissolution
26		Salem Hornblower (1909 - 1976)	10 November 1959	10 November 1965	Federalist	John Paul Taylor
			Following Great Railroad Strike of 1964 and subsequent Black November bombings, signed into law the Subversive Activities Control Act 1961, effectively outlawing Syndicalist Party of Ambrose. Decline in Burgessional support after 1962 midterm elections lead to close reliance on military.
27		Husband Kipling (1902 - 1983)	10 November 1965	10 November 1971	Federalist	Gouverneur K. Mallory
			Faced Northern Famine of 1967; signed Local Farm Relief Act 1967, establishing the Agricultural Adjustment Authority. Withdrew from Nordanian League in protest after rejecting 1968 economic integration efforts. "Long Hot Summer" in 1968 saw rioting and protests, allowing Kipling to claim emergency authority and crackdown on socialists and trade unionists. Amidst deteriorating relations with Sjealand and falling popular support, launched inconclusive War of the Njord to capture the Tower Islands in the final year of his term. Campaigned extensively for his vice-president's 1971 campaign, bolstered by apparent military successes.
28		Gouverneur K. Mallory (1913 - 1992)	10 November 1971	22 January 1973	Federalist	Alger Buckleigh Fenian
			Elected narrowly in 1971, with support from Kipling and the military-federalist voting bloc, running under the slogan "Don't change horses in the middle of a stream." Both political and popular support eroded by military setbacks in the war. Criticized for failing to sufficiently reinforce Tower Islands defense, and saw the relationship with the military seriously and rapidly deteriorate. Following bombings of mainland Ambrose, launched preemptive self-coup to prevent military cabinet from taking power. Brokered armistice to Tower Islands conflict; however continuing domestic unrest forced his resignation.
—		Alger Buckleigh Fenian (1908 - 1979)	22 January 1973	10 November 1974	Federalist	—
			Interim president, formerly Mallory's VP. Restored national order through use of military force, suppressing protests. Failed to reach peace treaty with Sjealand. Deteriorating political situation saw secession of Northumbrian thanedreds, beginning First Northumbrian Emergency; nearly killed by 1972 House of Burgesses bombing. Ran as Federalist candidate in 1973 special presidential election, but failed.
29		Harold Gamble (1928 - 1996)	10 November 1974	10 November 1983	Reform	George Pease
			Elected narrowly in 1973 special election, quickly asserting military control over country. Brokered the St. Crispin's Day Armistice with militants in 1975, ending the First Northumbrian Emergency by making assurances for respect of local government integrity. Ended farm subsidies policy and instead instituted wide industrial deregulation. Reelected in landslide victory in 1977, with largest popular vote share in history. Pledging to restore Ambrose's position in the international community, lowered tariffs, returned to the Nordanian League, joined the Nordanian Space Agency, and restored diplomatic relations with Sjealand at Mulford Conference. Refused to institute autarkic policies despite economic downturn of the Recession of 1980.
30		Georgina MacNeill (1925 - 2003)	10 November 1983	10 November 1989	Reform	Humphrey Starke Perry
			First, and to date, only female president. Precipitated the "Silver Shock", taking the nation off bimetallism and converting the pound sterling to a free-floating fiat currency. Attempted to impose confederal regulation of inter-thanedred commerce, dividing the party and turning the House of Burgesses against her. Response towards the anthracite coal strike saw a renewed period of violence in the Northumberland; ensuing ceasefire saw the ratification of the Fundamental Articles of 1986, establishing modern semi-presidential system. Narrowly defeated in 1989 elections.
31		Francis Osborne Jay (1926 - 2002)	10 November 1989	10 November 1995	Federalist	Dalton MacKay
			Elected on platform of "New Federalism", emphasizing classical liberalism and small government uncharacteristic of previous administrations—drawing support from Federalists and dissident Reform Party voters alike. Continued Reform policies of reduced government spending and deregulation, introducing wide-ranging corporate tax cuts. Signed bilateral trade treaties with Nordanian neighbors such as Aurega and Sjealand. Party division led to a narrow failure to secure re-nomination at party congress in 1995.
32		Abraham Webster Mudgett (born 1935)	10 November 1995	10 November 2001	Federalist	Ralph Wyndham-Widener
			Secured nomination over incumbent Jay. Largely seen as an orthodox Federalist, repudiating "New Federalism" and reversing many of Osborne's reforms. Took hard lines on Vasturian and Wosracan border disputes. Held referendum on exiting Nordanian League; overwhelming "remain" victory led to collapse of public confidence in government.
33		Montgomery C. Meags (born 1942)	10 November 2001	10 November 2007	Radical	L.B.N. Parramore
			Attempted relaxing restrictions on labor unions but was blocked by the House. Strongarmed House into controversially implementing single-payer universal health care, decried by opponents as socialistic. Defeated Black January military coup in 2005, restoring a faltering approval rating.
34		David Kettering (born 1954)	10 November 2007	10 November 2013	Reform	Desmund Faulkner Alan Hendrick Scott
			Attempted further global integration through pushing Tariffs Reduction Act 2008. Legalized limited abortion. Abandonment of autarky criticized for allegedly contributing to effects of 2009 recession. Refused to appoint a new Governor-General during Boyne Affair, leading to outbreak of Third Northumbrian Emergency.
35		John Frederick Cleburne (born 1969)	10 November 2013	Incumbent	Unaffiliated (Military government)	Alistair Hammond Fish
			Centralized power in his cabinet through exercise of the War Powers Act 1940. Increased conscription quotas, expanded military budget drastically. Averted open secession from Northumbrian thanedreds, signing armistice with NRA militants in January 2014. Raised tensions with Sjealand and NL countries, vocally calling for restoration of historical territories. 2018 Nordanian crisis.

Living former Presidents

• 

  Abraham Webster Mudgett
  served 1995–2001
  born 1935 (age 89)

• 

  Montgomery C. Meags
  served 2001–2007
  born 1942 (age 82)

• Al Gore crop.jpg

  David Kettering
  served 2007–2013
  born 1954 (age 70)