Map Thread XX
- Thread starter Balkanized U.S.A
- Start date
I was actually inspired by a TL that I imagined myself lately, that of an America in the midst of a civil war in the 2020s, comparable to Syria, and where Puerto Ricans settled on the continent are returning to the island, bringing back their fund transfers there, and seeing the situation escalate, the island took the lead and automatically declared its independence. As well as the Northern Marianas through my previous map, as well as the reunification of the Samoas.
I'd imagine whatever junta is running the Navy would be loathe to give up hte Marianas, at the very least
This map was the result of me rewatching CGP Grey's federal lands video probably for the 20th time right after beginning to reread Reds! for I think the third time. And it made me think- how cool would it be to have CGP Grey videos from alternate timelines?
This map is based off of the very beginning of What Is Federal Land?
"The Union of American Socialist Republics is, shockingly, a bunch of socialist republics that form a union. It was just thirteen states to start with, but as time marched on the border moved west, the upper classes were overthrown, bringing us to today and the 44 contiguous republics plus Alaska and Hawaii, usually drawn in these little boxes not to scale because Hawaii is in the middle of a vast ocean of deadly nothingness and Alaska is monstrous.
This map is based off of the very beginning of What Is Federal Land?
"The Union of American Socialist Republics is, shockingly, a bunch of socialist republics that form a union. It was just thirteen states to start with, but as time marched on the border moved west, the upper classes were overthrown, bringing us to today and the 44 contiguous republics plus Alaska and Hawaii, usually drawn in these little boxes not to scale because Hawaii is in the middle of a vast ocean of deadly nothingness and Alaska is monstrous.
Are you sure it is 44 mainland republics, because I can definitely count more primary subdivisions in continental United States of OTL.
A few of those are Autonomous Socialist Republics which function on a different level than the normal republics. The standard SRs are the legal and (mostly) territorial successors to the old pre-Revolution states, while the ASRs were carved out of the old states for one reason or another.
While i admire the shaded relief render you made (seriously thats some stunning relief work), The borders, labeling and general style of the map is atrocious. The borders look like they were drawn by a child and their simplicity contrasts with the detail of the shaded relief. The ornate handwritten font you are using doesn't give of the desired effect i suspect you might've meant it to have, and the giant titlecard is honestly a crime against mapping.
A map I made for @KnightofTempest's SI fic into Louis II of Hungary where the Jagellions manage to defeat the Ottomans saving Hungary from being conquered.
I must reiterate however that the shaded relief is examplary. It's not really presented in a style i personally appreciate as much as other ones, but my point remains.
While using orange in brown is a poor choice and I am iffy on the political borders (partially as I can’t see someone taking control over a virtually penniless king and expanding in such a way), the rest does seem a tad judgmental. Granted, I do tend to nitpick maps to find all the hidden stories behind them down to the pixel, but if a map is visually unappealing or without too much story I usually don’t just comment on it. I am sure this is meant as constructive criticism, but labeling things ‘a crime against’ don’t usually go over well. I think it is already given what reference material from the timeline he probably had. Plus I would say the title card fills in space that would otherwise be very empty.
The borders may be a touch imperfect, but they're not too far from OTL. Calling them "drawn by a child" is just insulting.
I am assuming he meant the actual drawing part due to the thick lines.
For Glasgow, indeed it is a mistake, I corrected. And as for the Union Jack, since it still represents the Commonwealth and which has and is still used by others, Britain has not bothered to change it. Although there is no longer Scotland or Northern Ireland, they preferred to keep the historic flag. It may be nonsense you tell me ...
Nice bit of damning with faint praise.
When Czechoslovakia split, both half’s agreed to not use any national symbols of the country. The Czechs used the flag anyways. I feel that the UK would have had the flag long enough as well as being the rump and majority of the country, so can keep it without complaint. Could use the Cezk excuse of giving flags new interpretations, so claim the flag represents the past history with the Irish, Scots, etc. or just not say anything and keep in as they are. They might use the name United Kingdom of Britain or such, though. Did you have all of Ireland as getting independent at the same time? I am wondering if a bit of the population of Ulster would have headed to Scotland. Presumably not enough to make a major difference in populations though, if everything went along peacefully.
Last edited: