fiction: Balkanized Federation?
Alternate history idea
I have often found the idea of alternate history of American political fiction to be interesting. You may have seen something like the image of above or perhaps more likely the one below. But I wanted to try my hand at such a thing as well and I tried to base my map off of the boundaries of the census from 2010.
You may have seen this map below before from Colin Woodward who poses an interesting idea that the eleven regional cultures that comprise the United States and North America are based on the people who emigrated here. I would like to agree that how a city-state, colony or city metro was founded has a degree of its founder’s impression and aspirations.
This, of course, does not hold up in the world over the years as there have been eras of zealotry in different parts of the world. This meant that a new ethnic group may have moved in and erased that of the previous culture. For example, Russia conquering the lands to its east erasing the languages and religions. Or Damascus having been part of multiple empires has gone through many transformations. But in the US I can see this still holding up.
I would also say that the geographic climate of the said area has a great influence as well not just blood. I feel that when the Dutch came to this new continent that not only were they looking for a spot with a natural harbor but a place that reminded them of home. If not then why stop where they did? If further south in what is today Virginia or Delaware is more hospitable or appealing then why be so far north? Summing it up simply, “you go with what you know”, or in this case where you know.
But then there is also the fact that geography plays a huge part in America’s history. The northern states are known for being industry heavy because they had to deal with the cold and had shorter periods to grow food. While in the south they had a free labor source and the cash crop of cotton to spur on their greed. There would have been a different focus no matter what due to where they lived. I would even go a step further on this to say that the progression of the 13 colonies and later the USA proves just how important geography is. Granted I am just scratching the surface here and there are many writings on this difference that go deeper, but you get the idea.
So I took a look at the 2010 census of America which you will see below and decided to take the shifting nature of such a thing and create my very own fictional map. Operating on the premise of what-if the US were to break apart, what would it look like. But before we do that let us compare the 2000 census vs the 2010 edition.
So what can we see in these last 2 photos?
- Nevada, Cali, Florida, and Oregon seemed to have lost their German-ness
- A lot more Scandinavians along the Northern border
- More Mexicans in the western states
- More French in Louisiana
- More African American counties in the deep south
- Anything I missed? (leave in comments)
So looking at the last map there has been a lot of shift whether in population or identity and I tried to base my map on the ethnohistoric-political background of the regions I created. And considering that 2010 was 9 years ago I kind of assumed certain shifts. As well as tried to keep the various new nations cohesive. So if you compare the 2010 census to my creation there is some definite overlap and fudging of the boundaries.
Above it seems that the largest of ethnic groups has fluctuated some bit over the years. But it should be no surprise to those that have traveled or at least paid attention. If you compare it to the 2010 census further above then you can probably figure out the denser counties of each state.
What it may look like . . .
*(UPDATES TO FOLLOW)
My idea was to break it all up with an eye to each region’s history, ethnic majority, religion, and even political leanings.
- * (placed in alphabetical order)
- Atarashi Nippon:1
Capital: ホノルル (Honolulu)
The state of Hawaii was one of the former states that had the least battle scars due to its geography. But as the war had carried on many of Japanese descent pushed to rejoin their far-flung homeland. Which it did allow since it had a strong economy, exotic goods, and warm weather. But it was also a target for Russian annexation and Japan could not afford for the Kremlin to have a warm water base that may have the potential to surprise them down the road.
- Aztlan: 2
Capital: Las Cruces (nm)
Is based out of the migration of Mexican & other Central American migrants. With the name coming from the idea that Aztlan was the ancient native home of the Aztecs. The Navajo Nation was invited to join to create a quasi indigenous nation but refused. With Spanish being the only national language however, English is still well known throughout.
- Cascadia: 3
Capital: Seattle
The LEFT coast has finally come together in a bloodless coup where you can find any drug, school lunches are vegan, they even have a national health service, and a Universal Basic Income. But their economy has slowed even though it is one of the most stable. Even Canada looks at them for a model to copy.
- Cuba Libre:4
Capital: Miami
A free and open Cuba 90 miles from the homeland. Which is currently ramping up rhetoric to start a fight with the island, which they wish to liberate. But they must be vigilant of their northern neighbor who didn’t care for their departure. It may be good that they are so militaristic considering they are surrounded by enemies.
- Deseret:5
Capital: Provo (ut)
AKA greater Utah (Is essentially Utah but larger.) There is some tension between the followers of the Mormon church and the Catholic church. With an “unholy” growth of atheists in the younger generations. The moving of the capital to Provo was to signify its shift toward a theocracy. But as the theocracy has grown so have the “non-believers” that have started to take refuge in Salt Lake City or worst neighboring nations.
- Dixie:6
Capital: Nashville
This landlocked nation has taken on a very militaristic position after the break up that it helped to instigate. But when Wakanda also broke away from it they resented it. They are also despised by the Union because of the rebellion (for obvious reasons). They only have trade with Texas as of right now and have been saber-rattling for more respect but that hasn’t worked out as of late.
- First Nations:7
Capital: Sapuplpa (ok)
The indigenous people of America took it upon themselves to scramble for their nations. Which wasn’t too hard since they had long been forced upon rural, less desirable lands that left them to their own devices.
- Florida:8
Capital: Orlando
(I wasn’t completely sure what to do with this area. Florida was a part of the CSA [confederates] but the state has changed so much. And the areas that are “southern” in culture are part of Wakanda. So this area was neither part of the antebellum south or Hispanic in culture.)
They are currently an independent nation that is being driven by their tourism economy. They promote an idea of pacifism but that is only because pacifism means everyone owning their own gun to “defend” themselves (currently have one of the highest death rates in North America). Also not pleased with either of their neighbors “betraying” them and creating their own nations.
- Lincoln:9
Capital: Columbus (ga)
(called Wakanda by its youth) But the former Black belt has expanded to engulf entire states and formed a nation. A nation that is in great geographic location by the way. They have most of their focus on Dixie to their north (go figure). Taking ports on the Atlantic and the gulf has turned them into a strong trading nation especially when you consider the variety of goods they produce in their climate.
- New England: 10
Capital: Boston
AKA New Britain is based on the old region’s identity with the old colonies and those that are of British and/or Irish descent whose nations are to this day part of the UK. Then there is the fact that the climate is very similar to the bone-chilling cold and wetness of the isles. With Brexit in full swing, they are in talks to create a trade agreement.
- Nouvelle France:11
Capital: Montreal
The French-speaking parts of the greater USA have finally gotten their chance to chart their own united destiny. However, they are too preoccupied because their southern area is being evacuated to the higher ground thanks to global warming. Even joining a confederation with Quebec to create more influence on the continent. There is also an influx of French Creole who has found their way up to the northern portion. With talks going on between Haiti and this govt they may have a new expansion soon.
- Italian Occidentis Senatus Populusque (IOSP): 12
Capital: Nuova York Citta (NYC)
Often called Nuova Italia. It is the densest nation here do to the massive metro of Nuova York Città. Everything was translated into Italian, with Italian taking the position of the “First” language. But also thanks to the neoliberal economic theory and the multitude of major corporations there, they have given rise to a Fascist sentiment.
- Nya Sverige (New Sweden): 13
Capital: Bemidji (mn)
This is the confederation of the many Scandinavian people that inhabit the northern border. They have also created what many call a socialist nanny state to take care of their aging populace. But are welcoming to migrants to help sustain their economy so may become more diverse as they form small towns due to migration.
- Republica del Rio Grande (RRG): 14
Capital: Rancho Alegre (tx)
This former part of Texas kept its rebellious streak and seeing that it would not get the respect it deserved in Texas, it tore its self away. Taking almost the entire cost was quite the coup since they have the ports and very fertile land. It has better relations with Mexico as well as other nations due to its focus on trade since it took all the ports.
- Pусская Aляска:15
Capital: Unalaska (ak)
During the upheaval, America’s former cold war nemesis took over its closest region, creating this colony. Thereby locking out any major power from accessing the north pole via the Pacific. As well as allowing it to have a foothold in North America enabling it to help further fracture the nations there.
- The Republic of Houston (formerly Texas):16
Capital: Austin
Which is only really inhabited by the most gung-ho of people that enjoy the Texan identity. The background of those that inhabit this nation is diverse but considered dominated by Anglo-European descent that found themselves there through a historic Confederate loss. (Which holds to its actual history) They also have a resistance to their southern neighbors do to language, culture, and religion. But they may resent the R.R.G. most for taking all of the ports and beaches.
- Loyalist Union (USA successor): 17
Capital: Washington DC
The good old American Union holding together in some respects. For the keen eye, you may be thinking, “HEY these are the German areas of the US in the census”. And you would be correct. I didn’t think that creating a New Rei… I mean Fatherland would be the thing to do. This area is massive and everyone here speaks English which as a language is about 50% germanic anyway so it’s not necessary to push German here but it has become an academic language across the country. Believe it or not, the US now has the best relationship with the EU it has ever had, especially Germany. They also have the strongest intelligence agencies since their reform was spurred on by the revolt.
(if you have any better ideas please leave in comments)
I hope you found this as amusing as I did, dear reader. Till next time.
