What if Philadelphia was the US capital instead of Washington?

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>>1455706
>Would Maryland secede
Probably not. The voting was by no means certain when the Feds shut down the Maryland legislature.

Only places like Baltimore and the more Southern parts of Maryland were pro-Secession. Most of the State was apathetic or outright pro-Union.

That being said, I think more fighting would have occurred in Maryland than Northern Virginia.

I also suspect that Philadelphia being the capital would have been a good thing for the Confederacy as it would give them a lot more room to maneuver and Northern Virginia/The Shenandoah valley would be practically intact and able to supply the Army of Northern Virginia more easily.

On the other hand, the Peninsula campaign may never have happened leaving RE Lee in obscurity, whatever battle takes the place of Bull Run might not have been favorable to the South, and Jackson might not have been launched into fame.

Ultimately there are too many what-ifs in this scenario. My gut feeling is that a Union capital in Philly would have overall been a good thing for the South as long as they could win a number of early victories in Maryland.

>>1457702

Plus they would be able to actually defend the Potomac line.