Union of American Realms: A World-Building Exercise

Thanks for the suggestions! Bennet had also asked about some native content, so I'll tackle that first, then I'll cover something in the Balkans if possible!

I'll be making a map of the modern Haudenosaunee Confederacy.

The native stuff sounds very interesting too. Can't wait to find out what's going on with the Haudenosaunee.
 
Misc: Map of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy
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The Haudenosaunee Confederacy is one of 37 constituent realms in the Union of American Realms, and one of the four native confederacies. The confederacy's existence predates the Union by 648 years, making it the oldest realm in the nation. Isaac Fox's political writings of the mid-18th century which inspired the colonists to rebel drew inspiration from various historical sources; the Haudenosaunee included. When the War of Independence came, the confederacy made the decisive decision to side with the colonists in exchange for assurances that autonomy would be respected from the Continental Congress. The alliance helped the war effort considerably, and the confederacy played a crucial role in liberating the northern colonies. On March 26, 1790, the Confederacy came to an agreement on a permanent border and ratified the Constitution of the Union, making it one of the original 18 realms. The Constitution of the Union assured greater autonomy to the Haudenosaunee than to any other realm, including the right to restrict migration into the realm from other parts of the Union.

The confederacy and its neighbors struggled to get along initially. From the start, New York pressed on the confederacy to allow the construction of a canal connecting Lake Erie to the Hudson, but the confederacy refused. The resulting undeclared Erie Conflict (1813-1815) ensued, a period of extreme hostility between New York and the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. The hostility coincided with the first three years of Lord-Governor DeWitt Clinton's term, and the issue of the canal had reached a boiling point as part of his campaign for the position in 1812. Though the period was marked by a number of border skirmishes, the worst of these was the Coregonal Massacre of late 1814 when New York citizens and militias razed the town of Coregonal killing over 300 individuals. Haudenosaunee immediately petitioned the Council of Executives - the only Confederal body it was represented in - but DeWitt had great sway in that body. It wasn't until King Bushrod's Royal Writings on Liberty in 1815, condemning harshly the atrocities committed by New York against the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, that the Council was moved into action. With public opinion turning against DeWitt, New York ended it's hostility against the Haudenosaunee. The demands made by the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the response by the monarchy eventually led to the passage of amendments granting all four native confederacies seats in the Confederal Assembly.

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy began loosening its tight immigration restrictions towards the mid-to-late 19th century. Until at least the 1850s, the number of people allowed to settle in the realm from elsewhere in the Union was limited to minuscule numbers. In the late 19th century, perhaps as a response to the immigration easements, the confederacy adopted a policy of promoting the growth of the population. The Growth Period lasted into the 20th century, and although the programs adopted did increase native population in the realm, non-native populations still reached nearly 50% by 1950. The period was also characterized by reforms meant to "modernize" the confederacy, many of which have been criticized in the present day. The programs were relaxed by the mid-20th century, and a period of attempted integration between the native populations and the non-native populations ensued. Today, 53.7% of the confederacy's population consider themselves to be either full native (23.4%) or mixed-native (30.3%) ancestry, while non-native residents account for the remaining 46.3% - the largest of the three blocks. Although most of the non-native members of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy are white, not all are and there is a noticeable black population as a result of the Haudenosaunee's hardline stance against slavery in the 19th century.

The confederacy's capital and largest city is Onondaga. Nearly 50% of the realm's population lives in the Onondaga Metropolitan Area and the successful creation of a tech hub in the city spurred it's growth in recent decades. The majority of the realms' non-native population live in the northern reaches along the Saint Lawrence River, at the southwestern reaches, or in the capital. Roughly 29% of the realm's territory constitutes the Great Reserve, a protected wilderness area with little to no human population. The majority of the land is used for agricultural purposes.​
 
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This is really good! Like it a lot! Definitely curious as to how Native American cultures would deal with urbanization, and all that. Definitely interesting, thanks!
 
This is really good! Like it a lot! Definitely curious as to how Native American cultures would deal with urbanization, and all that. Definitely interesting, thanks!

I'll try and tackle some of that soon!

Very interesting. Are there other similar autonomous Native regions?

Yes! There are three other ones: the Northwest Confederacy in OTL Indiana and Illinois, the Southern Confederacy in OTL Alabama and Mississippi, and the Calusa Confederacy in OTL South Florida!
 
Confederal Politics: 2017-20 Confederal Assembly
The 2016 Confederal Assembly Elections

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Governing Coalition: (322/500)
- Liberal Alliance for Prosperity: 231
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United Workers Front: 87
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Pan-Realm Centralist Movement: 4

Opposition Groups: (178/500)
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Coalition for the Advancement of Liberty: 95
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Confederalist Coalition: 53
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Socialist Popular Front: 17
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Native American Front: 8
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Pan-Green Alliance: 4
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Democracy Now!: 1
 
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What do the various parties stand for?

Due to the state-specific party systems, what exists at the confederal level are actually alliances of varying parties that have united under common ideals. At this point, the current "alliances" have existed for a few decades and function as parties would. Nonetheless, members maintain allegiance to whatever party they pertain to in their realm and run as such in their elections. Because of this, most confederal alliances are big tents within the subsection of the ideological spectrum they pertain to.

The LAP is a big tent coalition that is largely focused on moderate issues, maintaining the current status quo when it comes to confederal versus realm power, and generally supporting business interests. They are by far the dominant force at the Confederal level, with membership spanning the center-left to center-right on social issues, and generally middle of the road economic positions. The CAL is a union of generally center-left, social democrats and progressive politicians, along with certain minority groups who believe in a stronger hand by the confederal government in ensuring the rights of minorities and the poor are protected at the realm level. The UWF is a coalition of labor groups that started as an alliance between farmers and laborers, and which is typically left-wing on economic issues, socially conservative, supportive of unions and populist. They are the traditional left-wing opposition alliance in the Confederal Assembly. The CC is the alliance for those that believe in a weaker confederal government, stronger realm powers to do as they please, and are typically conservative, though this isn't a rule as their main concern is reducing confederal authority and increasing realm authority. They are realmist, which is this world's word for being nationalist about their respective realms. The Confederalist Coalition's members have varying ideological positions and are simply united in their support of realmism (nationalism for their respective realm) and a weak confederal government. This means members of the Confederalist Coalition often vote very different on matters outside of expanding or limiting the confederal government. Nonetheless, members of the CC tend to inhabit the center-right to far right, and are typically populist. The SPF is what you'd think, the left to far left group - they generally support radical economic policies and radical reform of the government; this includes the dissolution of "executives-for-life" and the monarchy, at times. They have seldom won support at the confederal levels, but they enjoy some degree of strength in Aegyptania and Michigan. Their detractors claim that the SPF is funded by the Union of Almajlis Socialist Republics. The NAF is the alliance of the members of the Confederal Assembly representing parties tied to Native American issues. While alliance members oftentimes vote in different ways, when it comes to native matters the NAF is a united bloc. The PRCM is a semi-single issue party who's goal is the advancement of the confederal government and centralization of Union affairs away from the hands of individual realms; aside from this they're typically in line with the LAP and oftentimes join them in government. The PGA is a center-left to far left party with a focus on green politics, or ecopolitics. DN! might as well be just a party since there currently is only one member in the alliance. The DN! alliance has existed in some form since the establishment of the nation, though has seldom been close to power. The alliance's sole platform is the reformation of Union to a more centralized, republican system where regularly-elected officials control all aspects of government.
 
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Since making the Haudenosaunee map, I've been stuck with an urge to flesh out the lore of the Haudenosaunee further. I am currently working on an extensive report on the Growth Period mentioned in the write-up that accompanied the Haudenosaunee map. Just a warning, it will be heavy on the writing side compared to some of my other works, and I don't know what graphic, if any, I will make to accompany this particular update. Nonetheless, I hope y'all enjoy it!
 
Realm History: Essay on the Haudenosaunee Growth Period
An Overview of the Growth Period:
The Transformation of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy

The Growth Period (1880s-1940s), also known as Sagonaquade’s Reformation, known refers to a roughly 60-year period where the Haudenosaunee government both loosened immigration standards and adopted various programs to encourage the growth of the native population of the realm. In addition, the period was marked by a push toward "modernization" by the Haudenosaunee government, including a push toward industrialization and urbanization - issues the confederacy tackled in a unique way. Abortion became not just formally outlawed, but punitive measures were adopted. Additionally, non-native families were restricted in how many children they could have during this period. Realm-sponsored segregation was also enforced in order to promote native communities. The period coincided with major institutional reforms for the confederacy, including the adoption of a "borderless nation" policy, which radically shifted Haudenosaunee society. The period and the reforms associated with it were controversial at the time of their adoption and remain controversial to this day. Regardless of whether one stands in support or opposition of the Growth Period, it is unquestionable that the period was truly transformative. High Chief Sagonaquade, whose tenure spanned the years 1879 through 1909, would initiate the era

I. Background Information

The Haudenosaunee Confederacy was admitted into the Union of American Realms as one of the original 18 realms on March 26, 1790, after allying with the colonists in their efforts against the British Empire. As a result of the alliance, the then 648-year-old confederacy became the first native realm in the Union. It's inclusion in the Union set the groundwork for the latter admittance of native realms. The inclusion of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy also established hard border protections for the Haudenosaunee along with the greatest guarantees of autonomy afford to any of the other realms in the Union. These protections came at a cost; namely, the Haudenosaunee were only granted representation in the Council of Executives by way of their High Chief, yet were not granted seats in the Confederal Assembly. This would later be remedied following the Erie Conflict with New York and the adoption of a confederal amendment granting all native realms delegations at the Confederal Assembly. Of course, the greater autonomy given to the Haudenosaunee Confederacy also caused great animosity between the non-native realms and the native realms.

Despite this, the autonomy was widely supported in the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. Though the final treaty admitting them into the Union saw the loss of sizable portions of land (mostly affecting the Mohawk) the move was ultimately supported as the best way of ensuring protection of remaining land from further loss. This proved rather true - New York failed to force the Haudenosaunee to cede land for the construction of an Erie Canal, and the strict immigration standards the confederacy was able to adopt also ensured limited non-native settlement in the territory of the confederacy. In fact, settlement by non-native citizens of the Union was the biggest concern of the confederacy in the early half of the 19th century. This resulted in extremely strict standards that saw very few non-native individuals being allowed to settle within the confederacies borders - at least legally. In this fashion, the confederacy was able to maintain its society, particularly its government and culture, much as it was prior to joining the Union.

Of course, these strict policies had their drawbacks. By the middle of the 19th century, the confederacy's population had fallen behind all of the other realms save the Mayaimi Confederacy, also a native realm. The confederacy's economy was also stalled behind all of its neighbors, which had begun to industrialize and urbanize. With non-native investors beginning to lobby the Haudenosaunee leadership, the realm began loosening its immigration restrictions significantly. Additionally, the realm had taken a hard stance at the confederal level against slavery, a growing issue throughout the 19th century. As a result, the confederacy had opened its borders to a small number of freedmen a year. By 1850, a railway was being constructed to connect the center of Haudenosaunee government and of the Onondaga nation, to the growing border town of Tonawanda in the southwest, and the Saint Lawrence River to the north. The opening up of the Haudenosaunee, however, presented real concerns for the Confederacy on a number of fronts from the lack of industrialization and urbanization in the realm to the low population of Native Americans as opposed to the possibility of non-native immigrants, and even to issues of governmental structure the confederacy had maintained since its inception.

In 1879, Sagonaquade (also known as Albert Cusick) managed to become Chief Todaharo (High Chief) of the Confederacy. Having portrayed himself as a small reformer in his bid to become High Chief, Sagonaquade would instead pursue radical reforms during his tenure as the head of the Confederacy. It would be under Sagonaquade that the Growth Period would formally begin.

II. General Note on Population

Sagonaquade was an astute politician, oftentimes proclaiming moderate convictions, yet executing radical reforms. One of the major planks of Sagonaquade's tenure as High Chief revolved around growing concerns over the immigration easements. Sagonaquade related with those that feared the erosion of the confederacy. The way the confederacy was organized, non-native members would have no representation whatsoever in the Grand Council. The fear was that if the non-native population grew in numbers, it would agitate for the creation of their own separate government that would – given time – overtake the realm. Those who feared this outcome the most agitated for a reversal of the immigration easements and a return to the initial confederacy policy of restricting entry into the realm by non-natives.

But Sagonaquade also saw the growth that the easements had allowed to occur. The seat of power, what is now known as the city of Onondaga, outside investment had spurred growth. The railway had also spurred economic activity within the confederacy, and it had much to do with non-native investors. It was true, whether ideal or not, that keeping the confederacy closed and secluded, like a recluse, would harm it in the long run.

So Sagonaquade argued for and maintained the immigration easements, but anticipating rebuke from hardliners, he announced his Plan for Haudenosaunee Growth. It would outline an official policy, to be adopted by all six nations, of supporting to the highest degree possible, the expansion of the native population. The plan included the establishment of an official, confederacy-wide school system, where pro-growth propaganda could be disseminated for future generations. The confederacy was to adopt stricter taxes on non-native populations, particularly investors, in order to fund stipends to be given to families who had more children. This entire process, in fact, led to the formalization of the bureaucracy of Haudenosaunee government.

It is estimated that by 1890, the average native Haudenosaunee couple had 6.7 children. By the end of Sagonaquade’s 30-year tenure, the native population of the confederacy had increased to 204,385 from ~88,500 at the start of his tenure, an increase of 235% in three decades. Nonetheless, the non-native population had grown considerably as well due to immigration into the realm. Sagonaquade’s successor maintained and expanded the programs, but as Onondaga grew and urbanized, the efforts were less successful. Still, the programs are considered a success by many in the realm. By the end of the Growth Period in the 1950s, the native population of Haudenosaunee numbered over three times what it did in 1910.

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The programs adopted by the Grand Council drew considerable criticism from various sectors of Haudenosaunee society, and those criticisms continue to this day. The Growth Period is considered to have worsened the social role of women by putting an emphasis on larger families and more children. The confederacy also took a hardline against abortion in the 20thcentury that continues to be prevalent in Haudenosaunee culture. In conjunction with other reforms during the period, detractors consider the era a dark one for Haudenosaunee traditionalism.

Nonetheless, the native population did, in fact, grow considerably during the period. The native population grew seven times over during the Growth Period. In the most recent census (2020), the population of native residents of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy stood at 893,840. This total includes individuals who claim full and mixed-native ancestry.

III. The Reform Crisis

The structure of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy meant that most of the realm was divided into six distinct nations. The nations were organized under the Grand Council of Chiefs, with 49 chiefs (traditionally) and one High Chief. The 49 chiefs that sat at the Grand Council were divided in unequal portions amongst five of the six nations: the Onondaga, the Mohawk and the Seneca are considered the Elder Brothers and had the most chiefs, while the Oneida and the Cayuga are considered the Younger Brothers. The sixth nation, the Tuscarora, did not have chiefs at the Grand Council and could only speak on matters that benefitted all the nations for most of the confederacy’s history. This was the result of the Tuscarora joining the confederacy in the late 17th century after immigrating from their homeland in the southeast.

There were inherent issues with this system as the nation modernized during the period. Onondaga was becoming the center of the population, regardless of tribal descent. Plus, with growing numbers of non-native residents, a clearer legal system to govern over them was necessary. Moreover, the Tuscarora members of the confederacy had been agitating for greater representation. Sagonaquade knew that the current situation was rather untenable. Additionally, the growing non-native business interests were vital to the growing economy of the realm, but wanted greater protections.

So Sagonaquade proposed the reformation of the Haudenosaunee government by recognizing two new nations: the Tuscarora Nation and a miscellaneous Non-Native Nation. Moreover, the nations would have no real boundary, but would rather be determined by ancestry and lineage through the mother's line. The Grand Council would be expanded to 98 chiefs, not including the High Chief, to be divided according to each Nation's population with one major caveat. The Non-Native Nation would be restricted to 1 representative to the Grand Council, who would not be considered a chief, but who would have equal voice.

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The resulting proposal by Sagonaquade in 1898 nearly tore the realm apart. Large segments of Haudenosaunee government felt that these changes were far too radical, and deviated from the intentions of the founders of the confederacy. In particular, the existing Clan Mothers who selected the various chiefs of each Nation, voiced the largest concern. The opposition seemed to reach a fever point by the Winter of 1898 and there were many indications that Sagonaquade's reforms would either not pass or cause a civil conflict.

Then Sagonaquade made a grand tour of the confederacy, stopping in nearly every settlement and making his case over the course of the next year. The High Chief was deliberate and did not rush the process, and when he finished, a great portion of the populace had come to back his reform efforts. He had also succeeded in convincing a number of chiefs on the proposals, which in turn caused a number of Clan Mothers to warn and even remove the antlers of certain chiefs. If a Clan Mother issues an edict removing the antlers of a chief, that chief loses his title.

The practice was considered a traditional check on unruly chiefs. However, it had never been used on such a scale as in 1899. The Clan Mothers in opposition to the reforms saw nearly 17 chiefs stripped of their power. In their pursuit to maintain tradition, they had actually weaponized and changed it themselves. And they may have bit far too much than they could chew. The 17 chiefs removed by the Clan Mothers in 1899 amounted to 35% of the Grand Council - and certainly all 17 were not truly unruly individuals, at least not in the eyes of many residents of Haudenosaunee.

The remaining chiefs either opposed Sagonaquade's proposals from the start or did so now under fear of removal. The actions of the Clan Mothers only ostracized the political and social climate further. As the selection of new chiefs to replace those removed neared, talks began circulating of the potential ouster of Sagonaquade. His selection as High Chief had been unprecedented considering he was just 33 years old in 1879, and to his detractors, he had soured the atmosphere of the confederacy. Then, as spring broke over the region in March of 1900, Sagonaquade called for the Grand Council and the Clan Mothers, then promptly had them detained.

IV. The Constitution of 1900

Sagonaquade's detainment of the Grand Council and the Clan Mother's on March 17th, 1900, was hardly popular. The High Chief knew he had to act quickly and decisively. With a cult of personality following his year long tour of the realm and support from an array of interests (including non-native business interests) Sagonaquade began disseminating his plans to the realm en masse. The young members of the confederacy, now having been a whole generation under the public school system, drew to the appeal of the proposals Sagonaquade laid out.

He kept the Grand Council and the Clan Mother's for a week, during which he attended them near constantly claiming it was an extended session on the crisis of government. The Tuscarora came out in support of the High Chief, though they had no chiefs on the council themselves. After a week, the High Chief called his "meeting" to a close, asking the chiefs and Clan Mother's to put his proposals to a vote. The Clan Mother's intended to orchestrate the removal of Sagonaquade, and yet...

Throughout the towns and settlements of the Haudenosaunee, support for the High Chief's proposals had risen exponentially. Protests began occurring, the tide of public opinion turning in favor of the High Chief. Some chiefs and Clan Mothers began wavering. That summer, a Seneca chief held a vote asking his constituents whether they wished to proceed with reforms under the High Chief and the results were an overwhelming vote in favor. As cracks began to form, Sagonaquade called forth a new council to meet in Onondaga and delegates arrived in the late summer.

With many Clan Mothers and chiefs remaining in opposition, the Reform Council was composed largely of loyalists to the High Chief. Over the month of August, the High Chief and the Reform Council drafted what is known as the Constitution of 1900. It radically reformed the Haudenosaunee government in more ways than the High Chief's original proposal in 1898, though it did adopt those positions as well. The Constitution recognized the creation of a Non-Native Nation, to be represented by a delegate not a chief, and also assigned chiefs to the Tuscarora. The Constitution restructured the Grand Council into 98 hayoneh (chiefs), one non-native delegate, and the High Chief. Moreover, the hayoneh would be divided into those selected by Clan Mothers and popularly elected Pine Tree Chiefs for each incorporated town. The Constitution also implemented Sagonaquade's borderless nation idea by eliminating the official recognition of the borders of the Six Nations. Together, the new Constitution divided the chiefs into two classes - those selected and delegated to the Clan Mothers, and those elected by settlements themselves.

A short struggle occurred in implementing the new Constitution, known as the Haudenosaunee Civil War (1900-1902), but Sagonaquade came out victorious. Detractors called the Constitution the Angry Story, in contrast to their traditional basis for organization, the Peacemaker's Story. The new Constitution was widely supported in other parts of the Union of American Realms.

V. Land Reform & Urbanization

By way of the borderless nations policy, Sagonaquade's new Constitution also adopted a system for incorporating settlements and delegating hayoneh seats to them. It radically shifted land rights in the realm towards a western tilt which was heavily criticized at the time and to this day. The document created a allotments of land to be distributed to family groups in equal portions throughout incorporated communities. The majority of the agricultural land would be held by the confederacy as a whole, though other industries were largely opened to privatization. Land that was unused was assorted into either wilderness area or unincorporated areas which could be sold or developed by the realm on a supermajority vote of the Grand Council.

The land reforms were a significant driver in the resulting Haudenosaunee Civil War and radically changed Haudenosaunee society. Nonetheless, the land reforms and town system coincided with the boom in population the realm was experiencing during the Growth Period. By Sagonaquade's death eight years later, the settlements across the nation began seeing urbanization and factories existed across certain areas. The capital, Onondaga, had grown more so than any other city.

Before his death, Sagonaquade supported the opening of gambling operations in Tonawanda as a means of increasing revenue. Though this didn't come to pass by the time Sagonaquade passed, his successor, Deganawidah, oversaw such measures. Becoming the first gambling town in the Midwest, Tonawanda would go on to attract large numbers of tourists. It's location near Niagara Falls made it a prime tourist location.

Under the Constitution, non-native residents of the confederacy could buy allotments in the incorporated communities, but they need the approval of the Grand Council to purchase or development land outside of them. Since the 1900 Constitution gives non-native residents only a single voice, the odds were stacked against non-native proposals. Moreover, under Deganawidah, strict segregation was enforced everywhere, but in towns with the highest non-native populations. This wouldn't change until the end of the Growth Period.

As populations surpassed 1M people towards the end of the 1950s, many of the incorporated communities largely resembled towns and cities across the nation. The drop in population growth by the time of Deganawidah's death coincided with large scale moves to urban areas from unincorporated agricultural communities. With the mechanization of agricultural maintenance, many people moved to the cities - Onondaga in particular.

VI. Cultural Impact

The Growth Period caused as many cultural changes as structural ones. It's two faces, High Chiefs Sagonaquade and Deganawidah, came to adopt cults of personalities all their own. The policies and programs they implemented throughout their tenures changed Haudenosaunee traditions dating back to the founding of the confederacy. Both leaders heavy handed approach to governance has been compared in modern times to Western authoritarians.

The role of women became a subject of controversy during the period. With a heightened focus on expanding the native population, women were delegated to a more customarily European position in society, which flew in the face of Haudenosaunee tradition. The mandatory public schooling was meant to alleviate this by relieving mothers of their children for most of the day, but the policies and heavy handed push toward women having children is a dark moment in the confederacy's history. By the end of the period, the government's efforts to encourage population growth had largely come to a halt. The rise of urbanization in the 20th century led to more women living in cities and having less children.

By way of the public school system, Sagonaquade began the development of a common language for all the nations to use (alongside English). Under Deganawidah, the teaching of this Haudenosaunee language became mandatory at primary schools across the nation alongside English and the native dialect of their respective Nation. In the modern day, this Haudenosaunee language is spoken by nearly all residents, along with English. The loss of native dialects amongst the youth has been associated with the creation of the common Haudenosaunee language.

The Growth Period also saw heightened racial tensions. The enforced segregation of non-natives caused lasting impressions on the confederacy's society. Nonetheless, in many occasions, these segregated non-natives tended to have a decent amount of wealth. Non-native residents of the confederacy quickly began bringing native residents onto boards for development projects, and in this way could get their plans through the Grand Council. The growth of Tonawanda and non-native settlements along the Saint Lawrence and in Onondaga also led to the easing of segregationist support. The segregationist policies created minor degrees animosity towards mixed-native residents of the confederacy, which can occasionally be seen today. By Deganawidah's 80th birthday shortly before his death, segregation was largely condemned across the realm.​
 
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That's amazing! I've seen a lot of TLs with the Haudenausaunee having their own nation to the modern day, but few actually address important issues like industrialization. One thing though: in most Latin transcriptions of Iroquoisan languages, the sound made by the letter G when spoken is spelled with a letter K. (Though I suppose that could be different ITTL)

Great work!
 
That's amazing! I've seen a lot of TLs with the Haudenausaunee having their own nation to the modern day, but few actually address important issues like industrialization. One thing though: in most Latin transcriptions of Iroquoisan languages, the sound made by the letter G when spoken is spelled with a letter K. (Though I suppose that could be different ITTL)

Great work!

Thank you for this feedback!

So, for example, Sagonaquade would more likely be spelled Sakonaquade? Or places like Ganandogan would instead be spelled Kanandokan? What about words like Onondaga, which retain the g in the modern era.

I would love any resources regarding this subject! I'm updating the map of the Haudenosaunee as we speak!
 
Thank you for this feedback!

So, for example, Sagonaquade would more likely be spelled Sakonaquade? Or places like Ganandogan would instead be spelled Kanandokan? What about words like Onondaga, which retain the g in the modern era.

I would love any resources regarding this subject! I'm updating the map of the Haudenosaunee as we speak!
Yes, exactly!
As for the difference between the usage of K and G, I'm not entirely sure, but I think that it's the difference between a hard sound and a soft sound. So like, the G in "Gram" vs the G in "Gentlemen", and I think that the K is used for the former.
 
Yes, exactly!
As for the difference between the usage of K and G, I'm not entirely sure, but I think that it's the difference between a hard sound and a soft sound. So like, the G in "Gram" vs the G in "Gentlemen", and I think that the K is used for the former.
That's not the case, actually. The languages of the Iroquois don't make a distinction between the K and hard G sounds (nor between T and D), and so their official writing systems often don't either. When they do, they're reflecting a difference in pronunciation that is present but not distinctive, like how the P in "pit" is pronounced with a puff of air but the one in "spit" isn't, but English speakers still consider them to be the same sound.
 
Here are the Americas in 1777ish, on the eve of the American Independence War

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That being said, I'm working out Worldas detailing the world in various stages of TTLs history, starting with the mid-17th century. Initially, I was going to heavily waive butterflies, but I've had a change of heart. That being said, a lot of borders that have been shown in prior maps (including the "main map" threadmarked on page 5) are no longer canon! Although the maps depicting modern American nations remain canon as of now! There still is no solid POD, but I've determined the 17th century as a loose point for divergence. Butterfly nets, however, still exist when it comes to using OTL figures, which I plan to continue doing (I've also been using fictional figures where appropriate).
 
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World History: Maps of the World between 1650 and 1816
Some prior history for ya, in the form of worldas:

1650
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This depicts the world at the height of the Iberian Dissolution, where the Iberian Union came to an end when Portugal, Aragon, the Basque Country and Galicia revolted against the central government of the Iberian Union. In OTL, the revolts were lesser than ITTL, and Spain only lost Portugal. In TTL, the various other regions revolted in greater numbers.

1702
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The Treaty of Lisbon saw Spain officially recognize the independence of Portugal, Aragon and the Netherlands. The Treaty also dealt with matters involving the connected, but distinct, Portuguese-Dutch conflict with the Netherlands annexing Amazonia. France conquered then cemented control over Hispaniola and East Florida with the signing of the Treaty of Valencia in 1702. The Hapsburgs were also forced from the throne of Spain; shortly thereafter, Spain would concede it's remaining Italian and Low Country holdings to Austria. England unifies the isles and forms Great Britain.

1715
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France and Great Britain come to a pseudo-agreement on New World borders, known as the Florida Agreement, but this doesn't last. Dutch and Portuguese colonists in Brazil and Amazonia extend past Spain's claimed boundaries.

1747
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The state of the world one year before the start of the Six Years War. The Florida Agreement collapsed relatively quickly and both Britain and France crossed claims once more. Rather than go to war with Portugal or the Netherlands, Spain signed a new treaty with both nations marking new boundaries in South America. The Six Years War would come to be known as the first global war by later historians. Aragon collapsed in 1703 and rejoined Spain in 1707.

1777
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The world just prior to the American Independence War. The Six Years War (1748-1754) ended in an odd draw. Great Britain gained France's Nouvelle-France Florida colonies, along with the Netherland's cape colony. Portugal also gained, primarily in the form of colonial outposts in the East Indies. The continental part of the war went in France and the Netherland's favor, however, along with their allies Bavaria and Prussia. Both France and Great Britain, along with most of the rest of Europe, suffered severe economic downturns following the war. This downturn spurred greater taxes which in turn spurred discontent. This discontent is what led to the American Independence War.

1816
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The above map is set 39 years after the last one. The American Independence War (1777-85) resulted in the independence of the entirety of Great Britain's North American colonies in the first successful example of a colony breaking from it's motherland. The initial government, known as the Articles of Union for its binding document, created a hyper-centralized government that infuriated the respective realms. The Articles of Union government fell out of favor by late 1787 and under the threat of complete dissolution, a convention was called in 1788. There, the writings of Isaac Fox were broken down and reworked into what was formally titled The Constitution of the Realms United in Confederation, but which is more commonly referred to as the Union Constitution or the Confederal Constitution.

The First Great European War began in 1803, shortly after the Flight of the Republicans from France after Henry V's victory in the French Civil War (1788-91). It was sparked when Henry V invaded the Rhineland and Savoy, with dreams of creating a grand empire over Europe under his hegemony. The war ended up expanding until it had dragged nearly the entire continent into conflict. Louisiana, which had gained considerable autonomy and a rise in population as a result of the Flight of the Republicans, refused to meet France's draft requirements starting the Louisianan Independence War (1804-09) and the American-Louisianan War (1814-20). The war has left many of Europe's powers economically pained. The war also saw the collapse of the Holy Roman Empire and the growth of both Prussia and Austria. France was able to last until the end and, although faced with a number of economic penalties, was able to get out of the war mostly unscathed. Nonetheless, with the country gaining practically nothing in a war that cost it so much, anger against Henry V and the monarchy has reached a new high not seen since the French Civil War.

Spain's colonies have begun to rebel across the New World.​
 
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Misc: List of New York Counties
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New York Provinces by Date Formed
  1. Albany (1683): Named after James II of England who held the title of Duke of Albany. (Colonial)
  2. Bergen (1683): Named after Bergen, a settlement of the former Dutch colony of New Netherland. (Colonial)
  3. Essex (1683): Named after the county of Essex in England. (Colonial)
  4. Middlesex (1683): Named after the county of Middlesex in England. (Colonial)
  5. Monmouth (1683): Named after the county of Monmouth in Wales. (Colonial)
  6. Dutchess (1683): Named after Lady Anne Hyde, Duchess of New York. (Colonial)
  7. York (1683): Originally this province was known as New York Province. Renamed following the consolidation of New York City in 1907. Named after James II of England who held the title of Duke of York. (Colonial; renamed under Frederick II)
  8. Orange (1683): Named after William of Orange-Nassau, who became King of England. (Colonial)
  9. Richmond (1683): Named after Charles Lennox, 1st Duke of Richmond. (Colonial)
  10. Ulster (1683): Named after the Irish province of Ulster, then an earldom of James II. (Colonial)
  11. Westchester (1683): Named after the English city of Chester. (Colonial)
  12. Somerset (1688): Named after the county of Somerset in England. (Colonial)
  13. Hunterdon (1712): Named after Robert Hunter, colonial governor of New York at the time. (Colonial)
  14. Cosby (1736): Named after William Cosby, colonial governor of New York at the time. (Colonial)
  15. Sussex (1757): Named after the county of Sussex in England. (Colonial)
  16. Montgomery (1772): Originally this province was known as Tryon. Renamed after American Independence War general Richard Montgomery in 1784. (Colonial)
  17. Washington (1772): Originally this province was known as Charlotte. Renamed after American Independence War general George Washington in 1784. (Colonial)
  18. Van Buren (1786): Originally this province was known as Columbia. Renamed after the Van Buren family of Kinderhook in 1832. (AoU govt.; renamed under Martin)
  19. Frelinghuysen (1786): Named after the Frelinghuysen family. (AoU govt.)
  20. Clinton (1788): Named after Lord-Governor George I, who was Governor of New York at the time. (AoU govt.)
  21. George (1791): Named after George Clinton, first Lord-Governor of New York. (George I)
  22. Cornelia (1791): Originally this province was known as Otsego. Renamed after Lady Cornelia Tappen Genet, née Clinton, daughter of Lord-Governor Clinton I and cousin of Lord-Governor DeWitt, in 1816 following the Erie Conflict with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (George I; renamed under DeWitt)
  23. Rensselaer (1791): Named after the Rensselaer family of New York. (George I)
  24. Charles (1791): Originally this province was known as Saratoga. Renamed after Sir Charles Alexander Clinton, son of Lord-Governor DeWitt, in 1816 following the Erie Conflict with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (George I; renamed under DeWitt)
  25. Tappen (1791): Originally this province was known as Tioga. Renamed after First Lady Sarah Clinton, née Tappen, wife of Lord-Governor George I, in 1816 following the Erie Conflict with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (George I; renamed under DeWitt)
  26. James (1795): Named after Sir James Clinton, brother of Lord-Governor George I and general in the American Independence War. (George I)
  27. Steuben (1797): Named for Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, the Prussian general who assisted the Continental Army during the American Independence War.* (George I)
  28. Williams (1798): Originally this province was known as Chenago. Renamed after Sir George William Clinton, son of Lord-Governor DeWitt, in 1816 following the Erie Conflict with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (George I; renamed under DeWitt)
  29. Rockland (1798): Named from early settlers describing that region as "rocky land." (George I)
  30. Wayne (1798): Named after American Independence War general Anthony Wayne. (George I)
  31. Fox (1799): Named after famed American writer, philosopher and political theorist Isaac Fox. (George I)
  32. French (1799): Named after William French, the New York judge appointed over what is now the Green Mountain Republic who was killed in the Westminster Massacre. (George I)
  33. McDougall (1800): Named after American Independence War general Alexander McDougall. (George I)
  34. Lewis (1806): Named after Morgan Lewis, third Lieutenant-Governor to George I and the realm's second Prime Minister. (George I)
  35. Schuyler (1806): Named after American Independence War general Phillip Schuyler, who notably ran against George I in the first lordship election. (George I)
  36. Catherine (1808): Named after Lady Catherine Cortlandt, née Clinton, daughter of Lord-Governor George I. (George I)
  37. Franklin (1808): Named after Benjamin Franklin. (George I)
  38. Scott (1809): Named after American Independence War militia leader John Morris Scott. (George I)
  39. Tompkins (1810): Named after Daniel Tompkins, fourth and final Lieutenant-Governor to George I. (George I)
  40. Julia (1810): Originally this province was known as Susquehanna. Renamed after Lady Julia Catherine Jacobs, née Clinton, daughter of Lord-Governor DeWitt, in 1816 following the Erie Conflict with the Haudenosaunee Confederacy. (George I)
  41. Alexander (1812): Named after American War of Independence hero and soldier William Alexander. (DeWitt)
  42. DeWitt (1813): Named after DeWitt Clinton, second Lord-Governor of New York. (DeWitt)
  43. Maria (1816): Named after First Lady Maria Clinton, née Franklin, first wife of Lord-Governor DeWitt. (DeWitt)
  44. Pitcher (1814): Named after Sir Nathaniel Pitcher, first Lieutenant-Governor to DeWitt. (DeWitt)
  45. Tallmadge (1823): Named for Sir James Talmadge, second Lieutenant-Governor to DeWitt. (DeWitt)
  46. Graham (1824): Named for Sir James Graham Clinton, half-brother of DeWitt. (DeWitt)
  47. Maarten (1834): Named for Martin Van Buren, fourth Lord-Governor of New York. (Martin)
  48. Mitchill (1837): Named for Samuel Mitchill, third Lord-Governor of New York. (Martin)
  49. Mercer (1838): Named for Hugh Mercer, who died at the Battle of Princeton. (Martin)
  50. Hudson (1840): Named after the Hudson River. (Martin)
  51. Marcy (1842): Named after Sir William Marcy, first Lieutenant-Governor to Martin and Prime Minister. (Martin)
  52. Hoes (1850): Named after Hannah Van Buren, née Hoes, Lord-Governor Martin's late wife. (Martin)
  53. Abraham (1857): Named for Sir Abraham Van Buren, son of Martin. (Martin)
  54. Dumont (1878): Named for Mary Dumont, mother of Lord-Governor Frederick I. (Frederick I)
  55. Palisades (1907): Named after the palisades on the eastern shore of the Hudson River. (Frederick II)
  56. Bronx (1907): Named after early Dutch settler Jonas Bronck. (Frederick II)
 
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I had the complete county-by-county results for the 2019 New York lordship election - this included the exact number of votes each candidate received in every single New York county, their margin of victory, etc.... And then I deleted the spreadsheet like the fool that I am. I still have the map done, so I know the general margin of victories for each county - but it will take me some time to redo all the exact results. Might get that done sometime this weekend, but if not expect the map at the very least and a write up. That being said:



BREAKING NEWS: EARL THOMAS KEAN JR. (YORKER) AND ASSEMBLYMAN SCOTT STRINGER (CHANGE!) MAKE LORDSHIP RUN-OFF​
 
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Realm Politics: NY lordship election of 2019 Infobox
Ended up leaving town for the weekend, but here's a wikibox for the election!

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Realm Politics: MI lordship election of 2019
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Michigan elects it's lord-governor by way of an electoral college. The electoral college is composed of 200 members divided amongst eight electoral districts coinciding with the eight legislative districts of Michigan's Chamber of Delegates. The eight electoral districts are redrawn every 50 years, but their electoral vote total in any given year depends on the most recent census. The electoral map has had the above divisions since 1955 (the 2005 convention resulted in the same boundaries). On Election Day, the citizens of Michigan vote for their preferred candidate in a winner-take-all format ballot. The winner of the district, whether by plurality or outright majority, takes all of the district's electoral votes because delegates to the electoral college are bound to vote for the winner. Originally, voters were simply selecting the delegates to the electoral college, who then could vote freely - this was changed after the adopted of the 2nd Amendment to the Constitution of Michigan. For a candidate to win the election outright, they must win 50%+1 of the electoral votes. There are 200 electoral votes, meaning a candidate must receive at least 101 electoral votes to win the election.

The Michigan legislature is a bicameral institution divided between the Chamber of Delegates, the popularly elected lower chamber, and the Chamber of Earls, the semi-popularly elected upper chamber. Michigan is subdivided into 68 earldoms (akin to an OTL county) and each popularly elects one earl for life. Each earl oversees both the municipalities within their respective earldom, and the legislative functions associated with the Chamber of Earls. When no candidate wins at least 101 electoral votes, the top two candidates based on electoral votes proceed to a second election conducted by the Chamber of Earls. A candidate must receive 60% of the vote in order win, and the Chamber has three ballots to ensure that a Lord-Governor-elect is selected. Although rather archaic and heavily criticized, the unique electoral is entrenched.

The Conservative-Reform Party nominated Speaker of the Chamber Jennifer Amash, known for her hard fiscally liberal platform; the Radical Peoples Party nominated CD Michael Morrison, a member of the party's hardline establishment; the Farmer-Labor Party nominated Joseph Mueller, 7th Earl of Ogemaw; lastly, the Social-Reform Party nominated Erika Meadows, President of the University of Michigan - Ravena. The Speaker had overseen a resurgence for the Conservative-Reform Party following the 2015 general elections, and was hoping that would translate into an outright victory on Election Day. Otherwise, she'd have to cut significant deals to get the Chamber of Earls to elect her. The Chamber of Earls retains significant membership from before the CFP resurgence, including a significant number of RPP earls from the 1990s.

Unfortunately for the Speaker, she did not win an electoral majority on election. Speaker Amash won three of the electoral districts and took 82 electoral votes to match a ~27% realm-wide showing. She would lead in both electoral and popular vote, but she remained 19 shy of an outright victory. In second place came Michael Morrison who won 63 electoral votes, despite having less than 100,000 more votes than fourth place finisher Erika Meadows. Meadows would receive only 24 electoral votes, despite receiving the third most votes realm wide, behind Earl Mueller's 32 electoral vote showing on just 15% of the vote.

Party leader Morrison and the Radical Peoples Party immediately sought an alliance with the Social-Reform Party and the Farmer-Labor Party. The Social-Reform Party agreed on the grounds that they'd get to select the Attorney General on a guaranteed term of at least 4 years. The FLP was not swayed, however, particularly considering Morrison's history for anti-religious remarks. The FLP did not formally endorse either of the second rounders, it's leadership encouraging party members to vote their conscience. However, the FLP was a major factor in the second round. The area encompassing the two districts the FLP candidate won sits atop nearly half of the earldoms, despite representing less than 20% of the Michigan's population. In fact, that fall of 2019, the Chamber of Earls was made up of 27 FLP Earls, 21 CRP Earls, 11 RPP, and 9 SRP Earls. That meant Speaker Amash had 21 votes locked in to Morrison's had 20. The vote of the FLP became critical as to which of two futures Michigan would follow: one that continues the reign of a Radical Peoples executive after the historic victory of the late Lord-Governor Charles (RPP - 1989-2019); or one that would usher back the Conservative-Reformists after a long absence from power.

Because the Chamber of Earls was a body that changed in composition very infrequently, the CRP had predicted a situation just like this years ago. For that reason the party had pushed into a molding a socially rightwing, liberal populist branch that would target the old industrial communities and other areas of western Michigan. This was a longstanding plan to build up support in traditional strongholds of the FLP and it worked to surprising degree. In fact, it was largely the reason for the resurgence the CRP rode to leadership in the 2015 general elections. Speaker Amash and the CRP certainly appealed to the largely Columbian-adherents of the FLP more-so than DC Morrison who has a history of scandalous remarks and hedonism. Of course, the FLP was also economically left wing and the late Lord-Governor Charles' victory in 1989 was the result of the FLP earls joining a wide-ranging leftwing alliance between the RPP, the FLP and the SRP.

On the first ballot, the vote was 34 Amash and 34 Morrison, a tie, a bad omen for the Morrison camp. On the second ballot a day later, the results came in 36 Amash and 32 Morrison, indicating little progress had been made by either camp to convince the swing Earls, or worse, that there were no swing Earls. The Michigan Constitution gave the Chamber of Earls three ballots to select a candidate with 60% of the Earls in favor. If the Chamber failed to do so, a new lordship election would have to be called altogether, leaving the executive branch of the realm in limbo for months to come. It had never happened in the realms past, and it wouldn't happen in 2019. In the early morning hours of the third day of balloting, reports began circulating that the Amash camp had reached an agreement with the SRP. #SRPTraitors, #LordGovernorElectAmash, and #SRPFlips were the three highest hashtags in Michigan on social networking platform Chirpnet just thirty minutes before the Earls voted one final time.

The third and final ballot was 44 Amash - 24 Morrison, the reports were proven true, and Speaker Amash became the first woman elected Lord-Governor in Michigan's history. Her election marks the first Conservative-Reformist administration since the mid-20th Century. It also marks the conclusion of the Radical Peoples Party's first ever control of the executive branch after 30 years in power.​
 
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