Augustus II
King Augustus II (a.k.a. Augustus the Younger)
Frederick William Henry Augustus von Lexington ruled as the third King of America as Augustus II, ascending to the throne after the death of his father, Augustus I in 1811. During his Fourth of July speech in 1818, he declared the establishment of a new Royal House, the House of Lexington, to honor the history of his adopted country and to cement the royal line as firmly American. In doing so, he commonly became known as the "First American King".
In 1802, James Monroe was interviewed for Minister to Great Britain. Monroe offered to host the Royal Family in political maneuvering. At this event, Augustus met Elizabeth Monroe, and the two were wed a year later. The couple had three children, Prince William in 180, Princess Hortensia in 1806, and Prince John in 1807.
Augustus was initially second in line for the throne under the death of his brother, Louis Ferdinand in 1803, after which he was proclaimed the Crown Prince. He was instrumental in securing the support of Holland under King Louis I against Napoleon in the War of the Fifth Coalition. During the War, he became acting Commander in Chief while his father's health declined.
Back at home, Augustus faced turmoil in the northern territories against British holding in Upper and Lower Canada. During the War of the North, he was criticized by many for allowing Chancellor William H. Crawford to lead militia troops against British regulars while withholding the federal military, costing the lives of many Americans. It wasn't until the last year of the war did he involve himself forcing the office of the Chancellor to take a backseat to the monarch in military affairs. America became ultimately victorious in the war, though famously did not seek to annex any territory and instead delineated a border to the Rocky Mountains.
After the War of the Fifth Coalition, he became more under the influence of his father-in-law, particularly in regards to the American sphere of influence. In a royal decree in 1818, the Continental Ordinance, American foreign policy sought to enforce seperate spheres of influence of Europe and the Americas, supporting the Wars of Independence in South America. This led to America being the first country to recognize Brazilian independence and establish a consulate in 1824. During negotiations for alliance, Brazilian Emperor Pedro I agreed to support this Proclamation, as well as a union of marriage between Augustus' son, Crown Prince William and Pedro's sister Ana.
In 1838, he successfully negotiated the Mexican Purchase between America and the Empire of Mexico.
Social
Reign
Contacts & Relations
Chancellors:
Elbridge Gerry: 1811 - 1813
William Short: 1813 - 1814
William H. Crawford: 1814 - 1818
Family Ties
Relationships
Previously Held Ranks & Titles
Date of Birth
19 September 1779
Life
1779
1843
64 years old
Family
Spouses
Elizabeth
(Wife)
Siblings
Ruled Locations
Comments