FWoAN Revisited: Should the USA survive for a little while?

[CaliBoy1990]

Well, ladies and gentlemen, there are a few of you out there who may have noticed that I finally decided, after a couple of years, to start on a fun little project I just simply called, "For Want of a Nail, Revisited". Basically, it's Robert Sobel's 1971 classic, as I would have envisioned it.

One of the early questions I've always had to deal with was, should I allow the U.S., albeit a badly reduced one, or a country very similar to it, at least(Think of Turquoise Blue's Commonwealth of America for a good example.), to survive for a little while? Or should I just copy the original, with no USA at all?

I'd really like some input, because it would be very helpful, I think.

Also, to clarify, the 'different American nation' option doesn't require that the first Rebellion be successful.

[Iori]

The original premise, it's actually interesting.

The only thing I'd say definately get rid of is Kramer Associates.

[metastasis_d]

I agree with Iori. Get rid of the Kramer Ass. but other than that I'd say start it off the same, w/ the failed rebellion. No US. Earlier Texas (or Jefferson, or whatever).

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

I agree with Iori. Get rid of the Kramer Ass. but other than that I'd say start it off the same, w/ the failed rebellion. No US. Earlier Texas (or Jefferson, or whatever).

Yeah, I always thought that Kramer Associates being a great power and all was really pushing it, myself.

Originally Posted by Iori

The original premise, it's actually interesting.

The only thing I'd say definately get rid of is Kramer Associates.

Or at least, the original KA, right?

[Iori]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Or at least, the original KA, right?

I mean the very idea, a corporation would NEVER be able to become its own country, the rest of the world countries would gang-up and eliminate it as a threat to the established order, not to mention it would be wracked with constant revolts.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by Iori

I mean the very idea, a corporation would NEVER be able to become its own country, the rest of the world countries would gang-up and eliminate it as a threat to the established order, not to mention it would be wracked with constant revolts.

Yeah, that's probably true, at least as far as the latter is concerned, so I'll ditch the original Kramer completely.

[jmberry]

I'd say stick with the original premise.

The thing one needs to remember is Sobel was an economist, writing in 1971 - at the time, a concept like Kramer Associates was not only "realistic", it was viewed as inevitable in the real world. The book is simply showing signs of an outdated economic model.

[jmberry]

For the record, here is Ian's own review of the book:

http://gateway.alternatehistory.com/reviews-set.html

So, my idea would be keep Kramer Associates, but make it more United Steel than Morgan Industries.

[Strategos' Risk]

But KA was one of the coolest parts...

How about instead of being a transport company that went into Mexican oil and a few iterations later became an empire, it was one of those colonial corporations that controlled its own territory similar to the British/Dutch East India Company?

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Strategos' Risk

But KA was one of the coolest parts...

How about instead of being a transport company that went into Mexican oil and a few iterations later became an empire, it was one of those colonial corporations that controlled its own territory similar to the British/Dutch East India Company?

That sounds more reasonable, but it would still have to answer to whatever nation chartered it. At least on paper.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by jmberry

For the record, here is Ian's own review of the book:

http://gateway.alternatehistory.com/reviews-set.html

This is a bit off topic. btw, but Ian's report on FWoAN recently inspired me to consider writing my own review of 'Decades of Darkness', particularly the bit about Kramer.

So, my idea would be keep Kramer Associates, but make it more United Steel than Morgan Industries.

Not a bad idea, JM. Not bad at all. In fact, I'd considered something like that myself.

Originally Posted by Strategos' Risk

But KA was one of the coolest parts...

How about instead of being a transport company that went into Mexican oil and a few iterations later became an empire, it was one of those colonial corporations that controlled its own territory similar to the British/Dutch East India Company?

Colonial? That might work for the CNA, but I don't want to turn Mexico into an empire.

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

That sounds more reasonable, but it would still have to answer to whatever nation chartered it. At least on paper.

I agree with that 100%.

[CaliBoy1990]

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm thinking about changing the POD as well....preferably, something between 1774 and 1776.

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Just thought I'd let you know that I'm thinking about changing the POD as well....preferably, something between 1774 and 1776.

Like what?

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

Like what?

Oh, I honestly don't know yet, really. Perhaps someone could give me a few pointers towards some good PODs. Although, having thought about this, anything between 1774 and 1779 or so would probably work fine. I'd just rather not re-use the P.O.D. with Burgoyne winning at Saratoga because I'd like to make this re-imagining somewhat original.

[Kaiphranos]

Originally Posted by CaliBoy1990

Oh, I honestly don't know yet, really. Perhaps someone could give me a few pointers towards some good PODs. Although, having thought about this, anything between 1774 and 1779 or so would probably work fine. I'd just rather not re-use the P.O.D. with Burgoyne winning at Saratoga because I'd like to make this re-imagining somewhat original.

Nah, keep the P.O.D. If you're going to re-imagine something, re-imagine the end, not the beginning...

[metastasis_d]

Originally Posted by Kaiphranos

Nah, keep the P.O.D. If you're going to re-imagine something, re-imagine the end, not the beginning...

I agree; otherwise it's not really 'FWoAN' revisited, it's just a similar but different TL.

[metastasis_d]

Not that that's not fine to do, too, I should add.

[CaliBoy1990]

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

I agree; otherwise it's not really 'FWoAN' revisited, it's just a similar but different TL.

I don't quite see why, TBH.

Originally Posted by metastasis_d

Not that that's not fine to do, too, I should add.

Well, I'm glad you think so. It is somewhat possible I may stick with the original POD, i.e. the Revolutionaries losing the Battle of Saratoga, if enough people make that request.

[CaliBoy1990]

Let's keep this going, shall we?

One other question I have is, anybody have any ideas on who could be the first Prime Minister of the CNA, once it's formed?

[Enigmajones]

Just get rid of Jefferson. Keep North America with a large restive population and have a second war of Independence.