The 1894 vote to merge the boroughs of New York did very well - over 55% approval in one, over 60% in 3 major ones - but it passed by only a few hundred votes in Brooklyn.
Let's say those votes change for whatever reason. Some story of corruption with Tammany Hall ("We're *never* going to let that corrupt machine dominate us - we can build our own"
), just something dumb said by one campaigner or a memorable quote by another - a number of thigns could change several hundred votes.
With it being that close, do others try again? From what the Wiki says, Progressives were the main ones pushing for it; but would they necessarily try again in years to come or give up? And, would the cities draw closer together anyway, or drift apart?
Brooklyn is mostly residential, I think - it may have been then, too. It might not have a lot of tax revenue from businesses; but it might from small ones, mom and pop stores and the like. Whether that could become too much for the city of Brooklyn to handle after a while, I don't know.
But, this means a lot of people would still be going to work in NYC. Would there be some element of co-operation that develops to draw them closer together, anyway? Maybe even city leaders in New York saying, "The problem was the campaign - maybe we were too forceful? We'll let them come to us when they're ready?" (Depending on the POD that causes the votes to shift, that could be very plausible - a leader makes it sound like New York wants to steal the Brooklyn identity, and suddenly the vote turns to be 52% opposed to the merger where they thought they had it in the bag, and whoever the person was who gave that speech might be sweeping streets instead of the high end job he had.)
Or, would it drive them further apart. This Brexit (well, they're never *in* New York here to exit it, but I couldn't resist the name) might cement the individual identity of the city and cause them to try to double down on remaining free from New York influence. Perhaps they push for expanded shipyards so commerce can become more of a draw. Perhaps tyhey try to lure new industries there as they sprout up.
P.S.: I finally saw where tags can be included at first.
Let's say those votes change for whatever reason. Some story of corruption with Tammany Hall ("We're *never* going to let that corrupt machine dominate us - we can build our own"
), just something dumb said by one campaigner or a memorable quote by another - a number of thigns could change several hundred votes.With it being that close, do others try again? From what the Wiki says, Progressives were the main ones pushing for it; but would they necessarily try again in years to come or give up? And, would the cities draw closer together anyway, or drift apart?
Brooklyn is mostly residential, I think - it may have been then, too. It might not have a lot of tax revenue from businesses; but it might from small ones, mom and pop stores and the like. Whether that could become too much for the city of Brooklyn to handle after a while, I don't know.
But, this means a lot of people would still be going to work in NYC. Would there be some element of co-operation that develops to draw them closer together, anyway? Maybe even city leaders in New York saying, "The problem was the campaign - maybe we were too forceful? We'll let them come to us when they're ready?" (Depending on the POD that causes the votes to shift, that could be very plausible - a leader makes it sound like New York wants to steal the Brooklyn identity, and suddenly the vote turns to be 52% opposed to the merger where they thought they had it in the bag, and whoever the person was who gave that speech might be sweeping streets instead of the high end job he had.)
Or, would it drive them further apart. This Brexit (well, they're never *in* New York here to exit it, but I couldn't resist the name) might cement the individual identity of the city and cause them to try to double down on remaining free from New York influence. Perhaps they push for expanded shipyards so commerce can become more of a draw. Perhaps tyhey try to lure new industries there as they sprout up.
P.S.: I finally saw where tags can be included at first.