alternatehistory.com

Hello,


I know that American Balkanization scenarios have been done ad naseum, but this isn’t a TL for a TL’s sake. I am working on a heavily modified Victoria 2, with the goal of an interesting Alternate history playthrough being the goal. I find the railroady-style of the base game often makes replays repetitive and expected.


I am toying around with several ideas to make the entirety of North America (not just the US) more balkanized, and more interesting from the 19th-20th century. I have read through a variety of proposals and timelines especially “What Madness is This?” And came to the conclusion that any meaningful balkanization of North America must start with a PoD from between 1786 – 1812.


In my head, the best way to begin balkanizing the early USA is an untimely death of George Washington, the failure of the Constitutional Convention to provide a meaningful/working constitution to unite the states further. A deadlier Quasi-War with France, if not a full-fledged outright war along the Eastern Seaboard/Caribbean would also further the divide between New England and the South. In 1807 the ChesapeakeLeopard affair blows up to a much larger degree causing an earlier style Hartford Convention in New England. Calls for independence for the Carolinas, Georgia are also heard on the other side of the aisle for fears of getting dragged into another New England war. There is no Louisiana Purchase, and a successful Napoleon allows for a Dominican-Louisianan protectorate to remain in North America with a much weakened Britain unable to exert the influence in the region it once had.

Some of the details are obviously hazy, but again the point is to create a series of independent states, and a relatively rump United States. With the TL start date of 1836, I imagine a New England heavily influenced by Great Britain. A Mid-Atlantic based United States with control over the Ohio valley and the NWT up to the Missouri, with a still connect Virginia on the verge of leaving the union for (reasons?). A few republics south of Virginia includes Georgia, the Carolinas, a West Florida Republic, a small off-shoot republic off of the Yazoo river (I was thinking a temporary rebellion – white slavers and Cherokee in a combined state? Probably ASB, but I don’t see Georgia being able to maintain control of the Mississippi in any meaningful way) and a West Florida Republic that has been propped maybe by French interests against Spain and Georgia.

To the north of IOTL Tennessee, I’m picturing a break-off Cumberland Republic. I was thinking that the Cumberland Republic might be an outright rebellion from Virginia (and perhaps a catalyst for Virginia leaving a rump union uwilling or unable to respond?). Issues of geography, culture, economics and French influence from Louisiana.

Louisiana to me is where my real questions start. In this scenario, there is no clear major power on North America. Britain is still very active in the north, but Louisiana’s close connection to France prevents much influence from the Gulf. Louisiana still comparatively has little population compared to its land size, though I do imagine a small boost from the balkanized American republics, and a boost from a victorious France post 1812. I’m imagining a very French south, with a polyglot immigration to the northern Missouri areas, from the American Republics, British Canada, Mexico, and of course French settlers. Post 1836, how would I be able to balkanize this area further? Could Louisiana independent or not release an American-style republic vassel in OTL Iowa/upper Missouri area? If these areas were to be heavily populated by Americans, how would/could western republics form? Without a strong central government offering protection from the natives in the area, could settlers ban together and begin to look towards a more centralized government, such as a Missouri Confederacy?

With Mexico too able to not have to worry about the US, I can imagine them still retaining control of the North, but demographics still don’t seem favorable. Could breakaway republics still be feasible? Smaller versions of Texas anywhere else? Would a mormon exodus still make the St Lake area a Deseret light? Or could they settle elsewhere? Would a heavily British influenced settler population in California seek independence during the Gold Rush?

So through projection to 1880 with a POD of 1807, what is the most balkanized North America possible for the sake of an interesting game? Bonus points if you can find a way to Balkanize Mexico and Canada as well, if even into seperated protectorates of a larger nation.

I should also mention that in the game files, I am able to create unification states, should the rump US wish to act like Prussia to the east coast republics, or should a combined Georgia/Carolina, so long-term existance doesn’t have to be a thing necessarily. I enjoy the players having the options to pursue many different options in their play throughs.

I apologize for so much English is not my first language so it might be nonsense.. I had my spouse check the language the best she could. I do know that this isn’t the most realistic timeline, I’m just looking for some creative input or ideas. The more countries and more wars the more fun in the game! Thank you so much for your time!

I have a rough map idea too I can post later if anyone cares
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