Magic in North America: The President's Bad Choice
- John Brewster
- Sep 8, 2019
- 6 min read
Updated: Jan 25, 2021
"It is our choices, Harry, that show what we truly are, far more than our abilities." - Albus Dumbledore
Previously on M.A.C.U.S.A: The Magical Congress was responsible for the segregation between Muggles in America and the non-magical population and they did not want to step up and start a change in the relationship with them and further hid. They also clearly wanted to have a different approach from the Ministry who did not fight in revolutionary war. Last, it was in New York throughout the 20s; signifying that in the 30s they had a different local, or building (Empire State).
Now: I could jump to the war of 1777, but let's start at the beginning.
It started out with an indication that M.A.C.U.S.A was called Magical Congress of the United States of America. Now first of all, fans responded with the inaccuracy that the America was not called by that name during the founding of the government in 1693. JK wrote something that establishes a foolproof method that they can see the future in the first article, 'Fourteenth Century-Sixteen'. Second of all, the spelling does not fit the name: MCUSA, the 'A' is from Magical. MAgical Congress of the United States of America. Kind of like Scientology (Science and Technology fused). Lastly, MACUSA sounds like Medusa. I doubt its coincidence as greek mythology does in fact play a role in America and so does Greek Architecture with Roman, and even Egypt for extensive knowledge. 1693 was the year of Salem Witch Trials which is why there is, famously, a memorial of it in the lobby. The MAgical Congress has what the Ministry has therefore; its own brethren statue, only its not a unity of species but a memory of innocent deceased. Mugglecast did bring up if it also memorializes No-Majs and i am sure due to the government, oddly, housing them as well.
But all that i mostly said already.
Josiah Jackson, being "war-like" making me think he is George Washington, dealt with Scourers. But MACUSA never had one location, as previously mentioned, they moved 5 times. Washington D.C. is the 4th location but as there was a war with Sasquatches, they moved in 1892 to New York. The Following places that the Headquarters was placed are: the Appalachian Mountains (where Wampus cats are) and the first HQ area, Williamsburg of Virginia (home of President Harkaway, Baltimore of Maryland (President Fleming's birth location), and the reason why they left to Washington was because of the War of 1777.
As mentioned before, Harry Potter would have a place in America due to his relation to Abraham Potter; an Auror in 1676. Abraham could be named after the 16th President Abraham Lincoln, could also be named after the biblical Abraham. It is known JK Rowling's favorite president however was John F. Kennedy.
While there are 12 Aurors, only a few are of any significance outside that. Some died in battle. Abraham died. I want to go into him a bit. It is unknown about his well being other than an Auror, and anything else can be speculation. Abraham would be 17, as publicly stated on wikia and by wizarding law, one cant have a wand outside of school till 17. It is important to note that this indication was also after the formation and establishment of Ilvermorny in 1627-Minalima indication/1637 by Lexicons'. It is unknown if he moved here or was born here, and yet he is an American Auror who, like the others, had a statue in the Lobby with the others. This brings the question of what it means to be an American; Voting, Birth, or simply growing up. The definition changes over the years, but I am sure JK implementing the school to it all is crucial which us why Hogwarts is, partly, in the medieval times. I am thinking he was born in America to an unknown mother and father, yet after Ralston whose birth (before 1612) and death (after 1652) is unknown. Perhaps Ralston went to America or his kid did, if Ralston is the father then Abe is his son. 1676-17=1662.
Another Significant Auror was Gondulphous Graves. Graves is a family important to the government. Other than him, there is Percival Graves. I am going to attack a little here.
Lets call this section
THE CASE OF PERCIVAL:
It is unknown of there even WAS a Percival. As anyone knows Percival Graves is Gellert Grindelwald. He ran away from a fight in 1899 with Albus Dumbledore and his brother, Aberforth, to America. In 1892, M.A.C.U.S.A left Washington to New York. From here are theories, the actor Colin Farrell, thinks he was alive but buried and therefore dead. Grindelwald also could have looked into records and saw Gondulphous's name, gave him a slight makeover, and became Graves. Now that theory works in junction with another thought, he chose the name Percival from Albus himself. Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, whose father was also Percival. Which sounds more legit.
Another name is Theodard Fontaine. Fontaine, french for Fountain, has a relative today living named Agilbert. Agilbert is the Headmaster of Ilvermorny. I also think, therefore, there is a living relative during the events of Fantastic Beasts, mostly a student. Nothing known about Theodard, or even much of Agilbert. Again both would have gone to Ilvermorny so this is also more of a fan-fiction territory.
Charity Wilkinson is the third president after an unknown second succeeding Josiah (who I thought once could be a giant). That is all that is known of her. However, in the game 'Harry Potter: Wizards Unite', she has a relative named Sarrana ["An international visit from the American Auror, Saranna Wilkinson leaves you with several very useful tips, increasing the amount of damage done with a successful Critical Cast"].
Other names share with minor characters in Crimes of Grindelwald, apparently, like MacDuff (Mungo MacDuff) whose an Accolyte of GG.
As far as Presidents, the list is small but in terms of years, it might be confusing like the Presidental number. Seraphina is an unknown number from Emily whose 15. Around 1760, Harkaway was President and the war for freedom was after him when McGilliguddy was President around 1777. Yet some time between them was another president, Able Fleming. There is something wrong here. Mind, that Thornton Harkaway was caught illegally breeding Crups. This suggests he had a short office time. Strangely, Crups are not of American origin yet he got credit. {Go America!} Rappaport was around 1790. They must have had a really short time in office. Serephina is President in the 20s, it is unknown who was president before her and not (yet) after (in the time of the third Fantastic Beasts movie). [She does have a relative living today named Lucas and she is still alive.] As of 2014's Quidditch game, Samuel G. Quahog is President. My guess, as I wait for the next election, he started that year. This brings the question of how long does one stay president. Assuming he started then, he is only on year 6.
The Presidents are:
Josiah Jackson (First President; 1693)
Unknown
Charity Wilkinson (Third President)
Thornton Harkaway (unknown number; c. 1760)
Able Fleming (unknown number; c. 17XX)
Elizabeth McGilliguddy (unknown number; c. 1777 )
Emily Rappaport (Fifteenth President; c.1790)
Serephina Picquery (unknown number; 1921-1928)
Samuel G. Quahog (unknown number; c. 2014-could be the start of term, year 6 currently)
There is a chunk missing here. (I think Able Fleming is named after the James Bond creator Ian Fleming. Perhaps Able is from Cain's Brother.) Harkaway, as stated in the passage, not only bred Crups, but also was responsible creating a psych hospital in Williamsburg. I looking into this. The Hospital Rowling refers to is a real hospital called Eastern State Hospital which was built in 1773. Apparently it is now a Museum. Sounds like a field trip.
I already went into the war of 1777 and what happened. But i think it is also a big part of wizarding history that, not only it is taught in school(s), but students write an essay and participate in an in-class recreation of the debate. One chooses a side to represent of either pro- or ant- interventionist; Do you think we should intervene a nations war alongside the No-Maj, Muggle community? I, for one, am a Pro-Interventionist. Why? It is a simple answer, I want to help. Some might say of course you do. Good is, a majority of the populations moral path as we grow up knowing. But then i thought further on WHY? I am of both sides as they are equal problematic. But witches and wizards are the true enemy and given that power they have, they are equally, if not more, dangerous. I'd be protecting the No-Majs, Muggles, Non-Magique, Cant-spells, and Non-Wizards, from our own. This puts my thoughts on the path to become an Obliviator. In the article by J.K. Rowling, it says they fight together against the common magical enemy in World War 1. Now i must say, i am thinking of Grindelwald. ...
The oddity of the wizarding world in America is strange when it comes to who came first on the ideas behind America. Wizards fought in the revolutionary war, and yet, i think they inspired the No-Maj army in a lot of ways. The eagle, or mostly why did the continental army choose red and blue? Ilvermorny had it first. So i think the wizarding community didn't only help in the war, but influenced people, created a shared bond in symbolism.
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