Ind. California joins US post-WW2

Keenir

Banned
One of the things I learned from How the States got their Shapes is that California was permitted to pretty much draw their own borders (claiming the entire gold rush region within the state, for one), because the lawmakers recognized that they needed California (with all its resources) more than California needed them (as DC was so far away).

So what if California remains independent until the end of WW2, and then choses to join the US?
(California spend the War as an Allied nation, if it helps any. Oregon and Washington are the US' Pacific coastline)

Would California have enough leverage to keep its own laws (or at least a chunk of those laws), or have they, by the late 1940s, lost the negotiating advantages they would've had if they'd joined the US pre-War?
 

NomadicSky

Banned
If California has been independent for that long, and fought not one but two world wars. Forget it.

There's no way they'd join the US, to much national pride for one thing.
 

The Vulture

Banned
Correct me if I'm wrong about this (I haven't been here all that long) but wouldn't butterflies from an independent California ensure that WWI and WWII don't happen the way we know them? I.e., different belligerents, theatres, causes, and timeframes?

If I'm totally wrong, I'll shut up.
 

Keenir

Banned
Correct me if I'm wrong about this (I haven't been here all that long) but wouldn't butterflies from an independent California ensure that WWI and WWII don't happen the way we know them? I.e., different belligerents, theatres, causes, and timeframes?

If I'm totally wrong, I'll shut up.

I'm trying to minimize butterflies, if that helps - there's still a certain Balkan assassination sparking WW1; the US ownership of Hawaii still frightens Japan into preemptively attacking (at Pearl Harbor), etc.
 
Then again if California is independent does the US still get Hawaii?? What if California took it?

I doubt an independent California would have butterflies affecting the start of WWI, perhaps the end though.
 

Keenir

Banned
Then again if California is independent does the US still get Hawaii?? What if California took it?

US businessmen made a republic that was brought into the US - just like OTL.
(good point, though)

I doubt an independent California would have butterflies affecting the start of WWI, perhaps the end though.

as I said, I'm keeping as much of history as similar to OTL as possible - I'm focusing on how much leeway California would have in joining the US.
 
I would think that if California has been independent for nigh on a century, and succesfull to, it's unlikely to join the US.
 

Keenir

Banned
I would think that if California has been independent for nigh on a century, and succesfull to, it's unlikely to join the US.

hm...this is the sticking point, yes?

Is there anything that might make unification palatable to the higher-ups in California and DC? (I never said it was a very successful ind. California - just that it was resource-rich)

...the only thing that comes to mind (to me) is a resurgence in DC of Manifest Destiny, making them willing to meet Californian diplomats at the table.
 
Actually, it may not be too hard. If the population of California stays relatively low until a World War comes along, and too many of their young men die in said war and too much of their wealth is spent, they may have to join the US or face collapse. Kinda like Newfoundland and Canada.
 
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