Decades of Darkness

[Jared]

Originally Posted by DanaF

Jared first I would like to say that this was one of the best alt-history stories I have ever read.

Thanks.

But I would like to ask, how assimilated are the conquered states in the *US by the 50s? Are there any people advocating Mexican, or Central American, or Columbian independence? Even peon who keep the idea to themselves?

I imagine there's still some who advocate Colombian independence, and rather less so Central American or Mexican. By this point, though, they've been part of the US of A for 50 years or more.

The main objective of the peons is to be free. (And unlike slaves, that's a realistic option, at least on a personal level.) If that comes with independence, so much the better.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Jared

Thanks.

I imagine there's still some who advocate Colombian independence, and rather less so Central American or Mexican. By this point, though, they've been part of the US of A for 50 years or more.

The main objective of the peons is to be free. (And unlike slaves, that's a realistic option, at least on a personal level.) If that comes with independence, so much the better.

Frankly, this whole subject of secession does have me thinking, and I'll see what I can come up with.

Although, TBH, I just don't see too many paths for the peons to be let go in the near future, at least not in states where the planter class is dominant. OTOH, Slavery is going to have to go at some point in time, it's just a matter of when, and how. Check back with me in a little while and I'll see what I've got in mind.

[DanaF]

Also, how spread out is English in the *US? Where does it stop being a commonly spoken language and become the language of the elite?

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by DanaF

Also, how spread out is English in the *US? Where does it stop being a commonly spoken language and become the language of the elite?

I suspect it will most likely depend on the region. To me, it seems highly likely that those in the old *Southeast will likely cling onto their dialects until the bitter end(there may be a few exceptions, though, like parts of Jackson, and New Orleans) and up north, there's probably not enough Mexicans to make much of a difference either way. The West and the former *Mexico, on the other hand, very well could be a different story, depending on the locale. I suppose it all depends on the future developments of this TL, if nothing else.

[Jared]

Originally Posted by DanaF

Also, how spread out is English in the *US? Where does it stop being a commonly spoken language and become the language of the elite?

I've never drawn an exact line, but broadly speaking, any territory acquired before the Third Mexican War has at least a substantial proportion of the population who speak English. Anything acquired after the Third Mexican War or later (aside from places like British Columbia and the former Dominican Republic) will still mostly speak Spanish.

There are some exceptions, of course. English is much more prevalent in larger cities even south of that line, and anyone who has secondary or higher education (outside of the Great War acquisitions) will be at least bilingual in English.

Some of the Caribbean islands acquired before the Third Mexican War still have Spanish prevalent. In particular, because of the circumstances of its acquisition, Cuba still has a much higher percentage of Spanish speakers, although Habana and Santiago de Cuba are closer to bilingual.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Jared

I've never drawn an exact line, but broadly speaking, any territory acquired before the Third Mexican War has at least a substantial proportion of the population who speak English. Anything acquired after the Third Mexican War or later (aside from places like British Columbia and the former Dominican Republic) will still mostly speak Spanish.

There are some exceptions, of course. English is much more prevalent in larger cities even south of that line, and anyone who has secondary or higher education (outside of the Great War acquisitions) will be at least bilingual in English.

Some of the Caribbean islands acquired before the Third Mexican War still have Spanish prevalent. In particular, because of the circumstances of its acquisition, Cuba still has a much higher percentage of Spanish speakers, although Habana and Santiago de Cuba are closer to bilingual.

That makes sense. Although, then again, I'd imagine that some more Bull-Connorish state governors might not take too kindly to what some might call "greaser speak" being spoken freely in their presence. It's not much of a stretch to speculate that at least a few of these states might end up with a governor or two(although they'd have to be WASP and not *Hispanic) who would support the signing English-only laws if they were to be brought before the State Legislatures. Of course, though, there would be those who'd raise Cain as well.....

[Burton K Wheeler]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Frankly, this whole subject of secession does have me thinking, and I'll see what I can come up with.

Although, TBH, I just don't see too many paths for the peons to be let go in the near future, at least not in states where the planter class is dominant. OTOH, Slavery is going to have to go at some point in time, it's just a matter of when, and how. Check back with me in a little while and I'll see what I've got in mind.

Is this a second account, Jared?

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Burton K Wheeler

Is this a second account, Jared?

Well, of course not, LOL.

In all honesty, I have been a wanna-be contributor for some time now, and I've already worked with Jared on at least one Tales post. So yeah, that's how it's been.

(I figured you probably weren't being 100% serious, but better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.)

[Japhy]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Well, of course not, LOL.

In all honesty, I have been a wanna-be contributor for some time now, and I've already worked with Jared on at least one Tales post. So yeah, that's how it's been.

(I figured you probably weren't being 100% serious, but better to be safe than sorry, I suppose.)

I'm just going to suggest that the real issue is not only your continued obsession with the work, but now you're answering for Jared. You didn't write the timeline, you don't know the situation in conquored territories, it doesn't matter "What you work up."

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Japhy

I'm just going to suggest that the real issue is not only your continued obsession with the work, but now you're answering for Jared.

That's not what I was trying to do here, though.
As someone who's been wanting to contribute to this project, I do have a fair number of ideas about how things could go(as do some others), and I am in fact, planning on giving Jared some additional material and see what he'd like to do with it, as has been done in the past(though I don't think he's posted that Tales post we worked on yet, and I've been falling behind on that anyhow, TBH.). And what's wrong with saying that? Of course, Jared'll do what he thinks will work in the end, but is it really wrong for one to speak one's mind, when some may disagree with the opinion stated?

The only thing that bothers me a little, if I may say this, is that it just seems to me that some have been too quick to jump to conclusions, because of past issues, or whatever.

[PrinceofTroy]

while being a little late on the DoD bandwagon I just want to congratulate jared on such an epic tl. I am still working my way through it and am only on the great north american war. I was just curious what uniforms for both sides look like at that time?

[Jared]

Originally Posted by PrinceofTroy

while being a little late on the DoD bandwagon I just want to congratulate jared on such an epic tl.

Thanks!

I am still working my way through it and am only on the great north american war. I was just curious what uniforms for both sides look like at that time?

Haven't given the uniforms much thought, to be honest. I'm not a very visual person, as my lack of map designing ability probably makes clear.

Hmm. I'm open to suggestions if anyone feels up for designing some uniforms.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Jared

Thanks!



Haven't given the uniforms much thought, to be honest. I'm not a very visual person, as my lack of map designing ability probably makes clear.

Hmm. I'm open to suggestions if anyone feels up for designing some uniforms.

Not that good of an artist myself, TBH, but I can give you a few suggestions:

First off, for the Australians, why not try the color red? (yeah, I know, it may remind people of OTL's Canadian Mounties. But why not? )

Yankees could be blue, perhaps symbolizing the sea, or a sense of rationality.

And I figure the Americans would probably be okay with Green, especially the Jaguars.

[Darth_Kiryan]

I'm curious, but what do the Americans think of John Adams, the Second President of the United States??

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Darth_Kiryan

I'm curious, but what do the Americans think of John Adams, the Second President of the United States??

Well, I don't know what Jared has in mind, but if I, as a contributor, may be allowed to speculate:

1.)Liberals, especially Northern and *Western ones, are likely to be sympathetic of the man: He chose free labor over slave labor and he was the one who first espoused the separation of powers. He was also a genuine defender of genuine republicanism to the end, and one quote that will probably resonate in the minds of many is: "My best wishes, in the joys, and festivities, and the solemn services of that day on which will be completed the fiftieth year from its birth, of the independence of the United States: a memorable epoch in the annals of the human race, destined in future history to form the brightest or the blackest page, according to the use or the abuse of those political institutions by which they shall, in time to come, be shaped by the human mind.". It is possible, though, that those on the far-left may have a more cynical view of the man; after all, he did originally hesitate to eliminate slavery in Massachusetts when the first bill was proposed in 1777, for instance.

2.)Conservatives, on the other hand, especially those on the far-right, will probably view him in a negative light, mainly for his anti-slavery views and his simply being a Yankee, though I feel that some more moderate conservatives would likely be willing to consider the fact that he was a Founder and that he did play a role in the country's birth.

However, though, I think it's safe to say that not everybody's a definite liberal or conservative, of course, so the issue may get a little more complex.

This is a plausible scenario, though if anyone, including Jared, has a slightly different take, or would like to add on to this, I'd like to hear it.

(Just to clarify, for those who may wonder, I am not trying to answer for Jared. This is really only speculation and what goes into the canon ultimately depends on his decisions.)

[Japhy]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Well, I don't know what Jared has in mind, but if I, as a contributor, may be allowed to speculate.

You're doing it again. You should probably stop.

[Plumber]

Originally Posted by Japhy

You're doing it again. You should probably stop.

Yeah, you're really overdoing fanboyisme.

[Lt.Gen 767]

IIRC Jared was writing a book set in the DoD world a few years ago. How's that going? I realise that the lack of any information for years is not a good sign, but you haven’t officially said that that project is dead. I can still hope that you did get it published and I just missed the announcement.

[Doctor Imperialism]

Originally Posted by Japhy

You're doing it again. You should probably stop.

Agreed. Your obsession with this timeline is bordering on the creepy.

(By the way, I just began reading this timeline, after having it languish on my to-read list for over a year. Really enjoying it - thanks, Jared!)

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Doctor Imperialism

Agreed. Your obsession with this timeline is bordering on the creepy.

(Edit: Sorry about earlier, Doc. No hard feelings, I hope? )

@Plumber & Japhy: Check your inboxes.