The Republic of Columbia

[Beck Reilly]

Create a nation out of the northwestern United States. The rules:

- POD must be after January 1, 1866.

- Must consist of Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming.

- May not consist of any more additional OTL American territory, just those five states.

- May, however, contain OTL Canadian lands to the north, especially Vancouver Island and southern British Columbia.

[Melvin Loh]

This challenge isn't based on Aryan Nations or any other white supremacist movement carving out a 'homeland for the white race' in these northwestern states, is it ?

[Beck Reilly]

Originally Posted by Melvin Loh

This challenge isn't based on Aryan Nations or any other white supremacist movement carving out a 'homeland for the white race' in these northwestern states, is it ?

No, it's not.

[Norman]

Original efforts to defuse the conflict between the US and Great Britain over this part of the continent focused on the drawing of a line between Canada and the US.

Then, as the US rushed settlers into the disputed lands, an idea was floated in the back halls of Congress and the White House. Take the entire OregonTerritory (54-40 and South) by proposing a plebecite, which the US would win (of course.) Both sides guarantee to follow the results of the plebecite.

Although initially cool to the idea, Great Britain eventually accepts the idea, but insists the plebecite not be held until 1865, the territory to be held in a joint administration until that time.

However, as the time for the Great Plebecite approaches, issues of slavery in the US begin to come to the fore, but at the same time the majority of settlers in the area do not want to be ruled by a 'King in far away England'.

As a result, a third choice is placed on the ballot that wins, Independence!

Having proposed the plebecite, and now increasingly focused on the North South issues of slavery, the US recognizes the independnce of the land, and Great Britain has no choice but to follow. The Civil War delays the final seperation of nations, but on July 4, 1866, the papers are signed and the Grand Nation of Oregon admitted to the brotherhood of nations.