Rogue Shadows
Banned
More-or-less what is says on the tin: I need help coming up with a flag for the Empire of California, which consists of the modern-day states of California and Nevada, was founded in 1859, and the story itself that this flag is being desinged for takes place in 1901.
Below is a timeline, but in brief: California started as an oligarchy ruled by various dons, who bough the land from Mexico. It was rife with internal problems until civil war finally broke out in 1855, which ran through 1858. A fillibuster named Joshua Norton (yes, that one) entered California during its civil war and proclaimed himself Emperor. As it turns out, he was quite the commander, and California soon became ruled by him.
Over the next forty years or so, California became a fair regional power in the US. Its first major overseas venture was helping restore the Hawai'ian Monarchy in 1893. It fought against Spain with the USA in 1898, gaining the Philippines for the effort (the USA gained Cuba and Puerto Rico). It also has imperial interestsin China in 1901, being one of the Nine Nations that helped put down the Boxer Rebellion.
Given that I borrowed (stole) the nation's founding from The Mask of Zoro and then eventually made Custer the Emperor of California, a silly hat must be worn while reading and contributing to this thread. Or at least, if not silly, no serious hats. Although, nevertheless, I'd like a serious attempt at making a good flag. But I have no clue where to start, other than the flag of Mexico and the Bear Flag as a basis. Help?
Anyway. Timeline below.
- 1841 (POD): A number of Mexican dons buy California and Nevada from Mexico (using a gold mine found in California but kept secret), looking to establish their own independent Republic. Well, they call it a Republic. In actuality it's an oligarchy that they control with a heavy hand. Rebellions against their rule are common, but at this point disorganized. California also still heavily depends upon Mexico for trade and defense, and the dons fight amongst each other constantly.
- 1846-1850: Mexican-American War. In this timeline, the Mexicans are able to fight much harder and more effectively (in part thanks to increased coffers from the sale of California and Nevada). The United States still wins (and annexes Texas), but Mexico retains control of Arizona and New Mexico initially, though the USA later buys New Mexico.
- 1848-1855: California gold rush. The internal problems in California swell dramatically as immigrants from America and Mexico flood California.
- 1855-58: Californian Civil War. A certain man named Joshua Norton, who had earlier emmigrated to America, enters California and unites the various rebel factions under him.
- 1859: Following the civil war, Norton proclaims himself Emperor Norton I of California, but his authority is not recognized by either America or Mexico (though inside of Californa he is well-liked). This is our second POD - Joshua Norton is an extremely skilled soldier and fillibuster, as opposed to OTL's crazy "Emperor of These United States and Protector of Mexico."
- 1861-65: American civil war. Occurs more-or-less as is OTL. However, Abraham Lincoln is saved from assassination by a Californian citizen in attendence to the play he was seeing. In gratitude, the government of the USA recognizes the Empire of California, and further international recognition follows.
- 1867: George Armstrong Custer emmigrates to California and becomes an important political figure, eventually becoming Secretary of War, leading to...
- 1880: Emperor Norton I dies without heir. After a brief crisis, his Secratary of War takes the throne as Emperor Custer I.
- 1893: Hawai'ian War. Revolutionaries in Hawai'i overthrow the monarchy, but California come to Queen Lili'uokolani's aid and restores the monarchy in short order. This is California's first major military venture, apart from border skirmishes with the US and Mexico.
- 1898: Spanish-Americas War. America gains Cuba and Puerto Rico; California gains the Philippines
- 1898-1900: The Boxer Rebellion in China, suppressed by the Nine-Nation Alliance (one nation of which is California).
Below is a timeline, but in brief: California started as an oligarchy ruled by various dons, who bough the land from Mexico. It was rife with internal problems until civil war finally broke out in 1855, which ran through 1858. A fillibuster named Joshua Norton (yes, that one) entered California during its civil war and proclaimed himself Emperor. As it turns out, he was quite the commander, and California soon became ruled by him.
Over the next forty years or so, California became a fair regional power in the US. Its first major overseas venture was helping restore the Hawai'ian Monarchy in 1893. It fought against Spain with the USA in 1898, gaining the Philippines for the effort (the USA gained Cuba and Puerto Rico). It also has imperial interestsin China in 1901, being one of the Nine Nations that helped put down the Boxer Rebellion.
Given that I borrowed (stole) the nation's founding from The Mask of Zoro and then eventually made Custer the Emperor of California, a silly hat must be worn while reading and contributing to this thread. Or at least, if not silly, no serious hats. Although, nevertheless, I'd like a serious attempt at making a good flag. But I have no clue where to start, other than the flag of Mexico and the Bear Flag as a basis. Help?
Anyway. Timeline below.
- 1841 (POD): A number of Mexican dons buy California and Nevada from Mexico (using a gold mine found in California but kept secret), looking to establish their own independent Republic. Well, they call it a Republic. In actuality it's an oligarchy that they control with a heavy hand. Rebellions against their rule are common, but at this point disorganized. California also still heavily depends upon Mexico for trade and defense, and the dons fight amongst each other constantly.
- 1846-1850: Mexican-American War. In this timeline, the Mexicans are able to fight much harder and more effectively (in part thanks to increased coffers from the sale of California and Nevada). The United States still wins (and annexes Texas), but Mexico retains control of Arizona and New Mexico initially, though the USA later buys New Mexico.
- 1848-1855: California gold rush. The internal problems in California swell dramatically as immigrants from America and Mexico flood California.
- 1855-58: Californian Civil War. A certain man named Joshua Norton, who had earlier emmigrated to America, enters California and unites the various rebel factions under him.
- 1859: Following the civil war, Norton proclaims himself Emperor Norton I of California, but his authority is not recognized by either America or Mexico (though inside of Californa he is well-liked). This is our second POD - Joshua Norton is an extremely skilled soldier and fillibuster, as opposed to OTL's crazy "Emperor of These United States and Protector of Mexico."
- 1861-65: American civil war. Occurs more-or-less as is OTL. However, Abraham Lincoln is saved from assassination by a Californian citizen in attendence to the play he was seeing. In gratitude, the government of the USA recognizes the Empire of California, and further international recognition follows.
- 1867: George Armstrong Custer emmigrates to California and becomes an important political figure, eventually becoming Secretary of War, leading to...
- 1880: Emperor Norton I dies without heir. After a brief crisis, his Secratary of War takes the throne as Emperor Custer I.
- 1893: Hawai'ian War. Revolutionaries in Hawai'i overthrow the monarchy, but California come to Queen Lili'uokolani's aid and restores the monarchy in short order. This is California's first major military venture, apart from border skirmishes with the US and Mexico.
- 1898: Spanish-Americas War. America gains Cuba and Puerto Rico; California gains the Philippines
- 1898-1900: The Boxer Rebellion in China, suppressed by the Nine-Nation Alliance (one nation of which is California).