alternatehistory.com

Okay, so here's a rough TL that I'm working on as a backdrop for a story I'm wanting to write.

I will put this out here now that this TL is really rough, especially at the beginning. And yes in some places it could possibly come across as ASB. My goal was to set a story in a 21st century American Theocracy, and I'm the kind of detailed person that has to have a decent backstory before I can write in an alternate setting, even if there are details that won't be used in the story.

I'm putting this out here for some constructive criticism and new ideas. I've hot somewhat of a writers block so I'm hoping this will help jump start this TL and the story.

Here's the TL. I apologize in advance for any spelling mistakes. This was typed one iPad and I'm uploading it from my phone.

Background TL for "Joshua's Wall"

Catholic revolution in England in the 1640s or 50s
- this forces thousands upon thousands of Anglicans to flee persecution and settle in America

In 1681, the Bishop of Boston is declared, at a colonial church council, as the Archbishop of Boston, leader of the Anglican Communion-in-exile.*

In 1718, the ACex is renamed as the Church of North America.*

In 1729, the first major reforms of the CNA are adopted, brining into the church certain congregations of non-Anglicans under special Bishoprics.*

As of 1740, all 15 of the English colonies have declared the CNA as their official church.*

In 1759, the English King dies and his Protestant son ascends the throne, starting off three years of civil war in which the Protestant faction wins. During this war the colones ban together and take French Canada. Despite occupation that area becomes a haven for English Catholics after the war.*

In 1771, the King is killed by his catholic brother and war again erupts. With French aid the catholic monarchy is restored.*

On April 1, 1772, the 15 colonies declare their independence from the "catholic tyranny in London"

Peace of Hamburg: Great Britain recognizes the independence of the Holy Union of American States, August 12, 1775.*

On July 2, 1776, the 15 states, having had delegates in Boston for several months, approve of the Articles of Union for *the American States.*

On March 1, 1777, the 1st Congress of the Holy Union of American States opens in Boston. Horace McNab is elected as Speaker, and former general Samuel Whittaker (53), as head of the majority Unionist faction, is named Chancellor. On March 3, he is given and audience with the Archbishop of Boston, where is formally appointed as Chancellor and given the right to form a government.*

France and Great Britain sign the Paris Accords in 1779, recognizing continued British control over Canada, with France retaining Louisiana.*

In the 1782 elections, Chancellor Whittaker announces that he will resign as head of the Unionist faction, allowing new blood to take over. William Wallace becomes the new leader, and in march of 1783 becomes the new chancellor.*

In 1785, the HUAS Congress approves a bill calling for the creation of a special capital city to be built in its own special district. Providence, District of St. George is born.*

On July 9, 1787, Samuel Whittaker dies. His state funeral on July 20 is a massive affair in Boston, where he placed to rest inside St. George's Cathedral.*

In 1789, Markus Brown becomes Chancellor.*

On April 1, 1790, Chancellor Brown and his family move into the newly completed Union Chancellory in Providence, DSG. One week later, the congress holds its first session in the new Capitol building.*

Controversy erupts in 1791 as to whether or not the Archbishop of Boston, as head of the CNA and default Head of State should move to Providence and change his title. The Archbishop is against the idea, but it is popular amongst the opposition Regionalist faction and a number of unionists. The idea is rejected by Chancellor Brown, and will cost the unionists a majority in congress for the first time.*

On March 1. 1792, regionalist leader Quincy James is named Chancellor. However the Archbishop will not receive him for nearly a month. He is finally confirmed as Chancellor on March 29.*

In a letter to the Archbishop, signed by most regionalist and a few unionists in congress, the Chancellor informs the Archbishop that if the seat of the church does not move to Providence, then the congress will amend the Articles to remove the church from the government. Members of the Council of Bishops, which had only met 7 times since the signing of the articles in 1776, convenes to discuss the matter in Boston.*

After meetings with the Archbishop, the Council of Bishops, and the Cabinet, an agreement is reached. The Archbishop will move to Providence and change his title to the Archbishop of Providence. In exchange, the congress is reorganized into two houses: The House of Commons and the House of Bishops. The Constitutional Reorganization Act of 1792 is passed on June 29. The Archbishop will remain in Boston until the completion of New St. George's Cathedral in Providence, in 1809.*

In 1798 the unionists retake the House of Commons, and unionist leader Alfred Miller becomes chancellor.*

In 1799, the Act to Gradually Abolish Slavery, introduced by the House of Bishops, narrowly passes the House of Commons. It bans the transatlantic slave trade in 5 years (1804), *the internal slave trade in 1809, that all children born to slaves after 1809 would be free, and established a mandate to start freeing slaves.*

In 1800, Alfred Miller dies, and so the new party leader George Rains becomes Chancellor in 1801.*

The regionalist party wins the 1806 election. Leader Heinrich Bauer becomes chancellor in 1807.*

In 1809, the catholic King of England is assassinated. civil war erupts, with three factions emerging: the protestants (Georgists), the Catholics, and the republicans. The HUAS and Canada will see a huge influx of refugees from the fighting.*

In 1811, the King of France, fearing the unrest that led to the chaos in Britain, institutes sweeping reforms, establishing a permanent parliament along with other democratizing reforms.*

In 1813 the unionists return to power. Henry Carmichael becomes Chancellor*

In 1819, Blaine Morse, unionist, becomes Chancellor.*

On May 7, 1820, the Republic of British Isles is declared, and the civil war comets to a close. Britain secularizes. France refuses to recognize the republic.*

The Union of Canada declares its independence from Britain on June 25, 1820.*

France and Britain go to war in September of 1820.*

January 12, the HUAS declares war on France, making an informal alliance with the British Republic

March 8, 1821: Battle of New Orleans. In a surprise attack, the HUAS takes the city, crippling the economy of New France.*

May 18, 1821 Battle of the Channel. Britain defeats France.*

July 17, 1821: France sues for peace.*

August 11, 1821: Britain and the HUAS invades Canada.*

September 1, Beginning of the Brussels Peace Conference

October 11, 1821: Montreal falls. The Canadian government is captured.*

October 15, 1821: Canada's Army surrenders.*

October 30, 1821: Treaty of Brussels signed. France recognizes the legitimacy of the British Republic, New France is ceded to the HUAS.*

May 9, 1823, Act of Territorial Organization of Louisiana and New France is adopted by the Congress. Louisiana is admitted as a state, and the Territory of Mississippi is established. The rest of New France is declared unorganized territory.*

Elections of 1824. Regionalists take control of the HoC, and in 1825 Dietrich Bauer (son of the late Heinrich Bauer) becomes Chancellor.

May 1, 1825, Mexico declares independence from Spain. The HUAS declares neutrality.*

1828: New Bishoprics are added to allow several large Christian sects outside the CNA to be incorporated into the church. This move is not popular with all, however. There is a growing number of people who tire of the church's prominence in politics and want greater religious freedoms.*

April 10, 1829. Cease fire in Mexican war for independence.*

May 12, 1829, Peace Treaty of New Orleans signed. Mexican independence recognized.*

April 19, 1831: the HoC passes the Westward Colonization Act, offering essentially free land to anyone who could homestead in the unorganized territory for three years. This creats a wave of migration west of the Mississippi for the first time.*

December 27, 1831: House of Bishops passes the Non-organized Sect Removal Act, requiring that those members of small unrecognized sects be removed from the eastern seaboard to the unorganized territory. This is followed three days later by the Native Removal Act, moving the Amerindians living in the south *to a specific location in the unorganized territory.*

January 12, 1832: in response to the actions of the HoB, a new political faction forms, the Reformist Faction.*

After the 1832 elections, *the Regionalist remain the largest faction, but the Reformists made a huge showing, followed by the Unionists which suffered many losses.*

March 12, 1833: for the first time ever, no one party has a majority in the HoC. A coalition must be formed. The Regionalists and Reformists make a coalition, headed by Regionalist Mark Grey. *However, the Archbishop of Providence sees the new coalition as a threat to the power of the church and refuses to allow Grey an audience.*

June 9, 1833: after months of waiting for an audience with the Archbishop and not receiving one, Grey announces the dissolution of the coalition with the Regionalists. It is suggested to make a coalition with the unionists, but this is rejected. In the end, Grey announces a minority government, including a few members from Unionists and 1 Reformist Ina minor post. On June 20, Grey is received by the Archbishop and appointed Chancellor.*

July 19, 1833-December 8, 1833: debate to remove the archbishops power requiring his approval of chancellors. A bill is passed in the HoC, but is squashed by the HoB.*

March 4, 1834: formation of the Tejas Colonial Company, by Richard Jackson and Thomas Fulton. Makes agreement with the Mexican government to settle in parts of Tejas that are sparsely populated. Settlers must swear allegiance to Mexico. Original agreement calls for religious tolerance. Catholicism *will not be forced.*

June 9, 1834: in a vision, Gregory Daniels of West Ohio has a vision, claiming to have heard from God a out a "forgotten testament" which is supposedly given to him in a second vision by the "Angel Vestria". Becomes known as the Book of Vestra, central to what would become Vestrianism.*

October 12, 1834: the Vestrians, known popularly as Danielites, are forced to leave West Ohio to the unorganized territory under the NOSR Act. Will ultimately settle at the base of the Rocky Mountains in mid 1835, establishing Daniels Town (now Danielston).*

May 1, 1835: Havensport is recognized as America's first city-state in the Union, with the cities of Havensport, New Jersey, and Manhattan, St. Marks, and New Liverpool, New Albion coming together to form the City-State. The city's administrative center is in Manhattan. Kingston, Kings Island, was also a part of the original plan for the City-State, but voters turned it down.*

Election of 1836. Regionalists regain actual majority (many Reformists who had been elected in 1832 opted not to run and support the Regionalists instead, due to hostility from the Archbishop and the HoB).*

March 7, 1837: Mark Grey reappointed by the HoC as Chancellor. Accepted two days later by the Archbishop.*

June 1, 1837: Mexico's Supreme Councilor, head of the High Council of Governors, decrees that Catholicism will be the only legally recognized religion in the Mexican states.*

August 19, 1837: Mexican government gives ultimatum to the Anglo settlers in Tejas: convert by the end of the year or be evicted from Mexico

December 26, 1837: Richard Jackson, Thomas Fulton, and two dozen other Anglo settlers sign the Tejan Declaration of Independence in Jacksonville (largest settlement).*

February 12, 1838: Battle of Pueblo San Pedro. Mexicans win.*

February 28, 1838: First Battle of Jacksonville. Mexicans take the town.*

March 5-19, 1838: Siege of Fultonsburg. The Anglo settlers are able to survive the siege and push the Mexicans away from the city on the 19th.*

March 29, 1838: the HUAS extends diplomatic recognition to the Republic of Tejas. Officially calls on the United States of Mexico to end the war.*

April 3, 1838: Second Battle of Jacksonville. Mexicans are defeated, fall back to Pueblo San Pedro.*

April 11, 1838: HUAS declares a blockade of all Mexican ports in the Gulf.*

April 19, 1838: Siege of Pueblo San Pedro begins*

April 27, 1838: off the coast of Veracruz, Mexican forces attempt to attack one of the HUAS blockade ships, the UNV William Wallace. 25 sailors are killed.*

May 3, 1838: Battle of San Pedro Fields. Mexican reinforcements arrive, attempting to lift the siege. They are able to break through the Tejan lines and enter the settlement, but are then surrounded. The siege continues.*

May 18, 1838: HUAS declares war on Mexico

May 27, 1838: HUAS troops sail from New Orleans, planning on landing at Veracruz.*

May 30, 1838: Second Battle of San Pedro. Mexican Ar,y breaks out of the settlement, only to be pushed further south back into Mexico.*

June 12, 1838: HUAS troops land at Veracruz, and quickly take the city.*

June 18, 1838: *Battle of San Marcos. Mexican Supreme Councilor is killed in battle. His deputy and two senior generals are captured.*

June 22, 1838: Battle of Veracruz. Americans keep hold of the city, Mexicans are defeated.*

June 24, 1838: Mexican High Council of Governors declares a peace with the HUAS and Tejas

July 21, 1838: Treaty of Veracruz is signed. Mexico recognizes the independence of Tejas, and cedes control of Veracruz to the HUAS for 100 years. Also agrees to pay damages to both countries, mainly Tejas for the destruction of property during the war.*

October 18, 1838: The Tejans approve their constitution. It is such more secular government than that of the HUAS, with an elected president and a bicameral Congress, with a House of Representatives and a House of Clergy (representing all recognized faiths).*

March 3, 1839: Matthew Davidson, of New Providence, Mississippi a pastor of an unrecognized church, "reveals" to his congregation that he is the second son of God, sent to return the Church of Christ to its true teachings. His church congregation grows and grows. .*

July 11, 1839: the Davidite congregation moves out of New Providence and sets up the town of New Zion. Davidites now umber around 3,000

July3 1, 1839: Mississippi Territory applies for statehood. The archbishop tells the territory that before statehood is granted, the Davidite heresy must be stamped out. Davidson has stated that the Archbishop is corrupt, along with the government in providence.*

August 12, 1839: the army arrests Davidson and his six prophets, on charges of heresy and treason.*

August 27, 1839: Davidson is sentenced to death by hanging, his 6 prophets are to be sent to separate prisons back east.*

September 1, 1839: Davidson is executed. Before he dies, he prophesies that the judge, governor of Mississippi, and the archbishop himself will all die within the next year. The citizens of New Zion, some 4500 people, flee west, first to the Danielite region, then on into Mexican Montaña, settling around the Great Salt Lake, where they establish New Bethleham.*

October 1, 1839: Mississippi is granted statehood. The following day, the governor dies in a carriage accident.*

October 19, 1839: The judge who sentenced Davidson to death dies of pneumonia.*

November 1, 1839: the British Federal Parliament passes the Australia Act, establishing an Australian Parliament for all 8 Australian colonies to participate in. Creates a loose federation on the continent.*

January 6, 1840: The Archbishop of Providence dies of a heart attack. This sends shockwaves throughout Mississippi. Thousands of secret Davidites come out of the woodwork. Martial law is declared and hundreds of the Davidites are killed. The rest are driven from the state into the unorganized territories. Some will settle there, but some 6,000 trek to New Bethlehem.*

April 20, 1840: citing the high amount of non recognized sects living in the Unorganized Territory, declares a 10 year moratorium on the establishment of new territories and states from the unorganized territory.*

Election of 1840: the unionists make a huge comeback in this election, but not quite a majority.*

March 12, 1841: *Jethro Richards, head of the unionists, is appointed head of the first official coalition government, made up of Unionists and Regionalists. He is accepted as Chancellor 3 days later by the Archbishop.

July 2, 1841: The British Republic signs a treaty of the Kingdom of Hawaii, along Britain to establish a naval base at Pearl Harbor. King Kamehameha III also invites the British to help modernize his country.*

November 12, 1841: The HUAS and the Republic of Tejas signs the Treaty of Friendship and Union. Tejas is still independent, but the HUAS will establish military bases to help defend against Mexico. Tejas and the HUAS also establish free trade between their two nations. *

March 19, 1842: the HoC passes the Union Police Act, *establishing the Union Police Force, officially aimed at enforcing all national laws. The Archbishop intends to use the UPF to crack down on the unrecognized sects, and Chancellor Richards wants to crack down on the reformists.*

July 18, 1842: with a royal wedding, Bavaria is joined to the Austro-Hungarian Empire, as Austro-Bavaria Hungary.*

February 15, 1843: Gold is discovered in Northern Alta California. This marks the beginning of the Great California Gold Rush. An estimated 250,000 Anglo settlers, mostly from the Unorganized territory, and an additional 100,000 Mexican settlers all pour into the region within the next year. By 1845, it is estimated that more than half a million people had migrated to California to strike it rich.*

Election of 1844: unionists are still the largest single party, but do not have a majority. There is discussion of forming a coalition government between the Regionalists and t Reformists, but this is again quashed by the Archbishop. The previous government is retained.*

May 1, 1846: The Mexican government, in an effort to quickly repay their debt incurred during the Tejan Independence War, passes the California Gold Act, which declares that one half of all Gold mined in California is property of the Mexican government, and that local banks are to make sure the gold is handed over to the authorities.*

September 12, 1846: The Second California Gold Act is passed, closing all existing banks in California and only Authorizing the new Banco Central de California (BCC). The act also orders 2,000 soldiers to San Francisco to help enforce the Gold Laws. *

September 30, 1846: The California Miners Association forms, *consisting of a wide variety of settlers. Plan on organizing protests to then Gold Laws.*

October 17, 1846: first (of many) major protest marches in SF against the Gold Laws. Dispersed by the Army.*

October 22, 1846: The first underground gold bank, Free Bank of San Francisco, opens up.

December 2, 1846: the third and final Gold Law is passed by the Mexican government. States that non-Mexican citizens are no longer allowed to mine for gold in California, and sets a deadline of March 31, 1847, for all non-citizens to become citizens (including convert to Catholicism), or be forcibly evicted and deported from Greater Mexico. Also states that the operation and patronage of the underground banks would be punishable by a lengthy prison sentence. This will spark much outrage among many in California.*

December 15, 1846: The California Miners Association, California Settlers Council, and the Libre de los Colonos de la Asociación Minera all call for a Pan-Californian Congress to meet in the settlement of New Boston, on the far side of San Francisco Bay, on January 20, 1847.*

January 20, 1847: the first meeting of the Pan-Californian Congress meets in New Boston. Elects Manuel Richards as its President.*

January 28, 1847: The PCC issues the New Boston Demands, which calls for a repeal of the California Gold Acts, a removal of the soldiers from San Francisco, and the establishment of a democratic territorial government to represent the people of California.*

February 12, 1847: *Mexican government rejects the New Boston Demands. Sends orders for the troops innSan Francisco to break up the PCC.*

February 27, 1847: New Boston uprising begins. Mexican troops attempt to disperse the PCC. Not expecting resistance they are overwhelmed by local militia resistors. Shots fired. Casualties on both sides.*

March 1, 1847, the Presidio in SF is overrun by local California militia

March 3, 10,000 Mexican troops land at Monterey, and begin to march on SF.

March 9, 1847: The PCC sets up a committee to draft a statement of independence to be considered by the whole congress.*

March 12, 1847: Battle of San Francisco. With heavy casualties, the Mexican army takes the city.*

March 14, 1847: seeing Mexico distracted with events in California, Tejas convinces its ally the HUAS to back an invasion to retake Tejan Lands still ruled by Mexico. *The HUAS agrees.*

March 24, 1847: *the PCC declares that California is an independent Republic, free of Mexican rule.*

Well, tell me what you all think.

The goal is that by the 21st century, California dominates the Pacific coast of north America, and that the HUAS dominates everything east of the Rockies and south of Canada and north of Mexico.
California serves as a contrast to the Theocracy in the HUAS, being a very good example of modern liberal democracy.
The story is going to take place in California, and the main character is the son of the newly appointed HUAS Ambassador to Califorina.

Looking forward to the feedback and input. Thanks!
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