Disputed Western Territories
Go to each Western nation, find a map, and you will see a different border for the Disputed Territories. The former states of Nevada, Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming splintered with the nation, leaving flinders of government scattered across their lands.
Utah claims the whole of the State of Idaho up to the Canadian border, and a large section of western Montana; the locals largely disagree, and no serious attempt to enforce this claim above southern Idaho has succeeded, although Utah colonists press on into Idaho territory.
The Lakota Territory carved itself out of sections of the Dakotas and eastern Montana, and no one really wants the area enough to dispute their claim.
The bulk of Nevada is desert, not even worth the effort of laying claim to. Most of the inhabitants southeast of the Sierra Nevadas are desert air pirates, scrub ranchers, and rattlesnakes. The Nevada mountain towns seem willing to claim allegiance to either Hollywood or Pacifica, whichever can keep the desert pirates off.
Empire State
Empire State
The Empire State was formed almost immediately after Texas’ secession in 1930. Led by popular President Fiorello La Guardia , the Empire State has rapidly become the focus of political and economic power in North America (which has led to a fierce rivalry with the Industrial States of America). The Empire State covets the ISA's industrial capacity, while the ISA would love to have New York's status as the North American continent's leading political power and chief trading center.
The mutual rivalry between the Empire State and the ISA can only lead to further conflict, especially considering President La Guardia's recent alliance with the notorious sky pirate, the Black Swan; she and her band will certainly find targets of opportunity westward of the Empire State. When challenged about the Black Swan, La Guardia points out that the Red Skull Legion has been based in the ISA for years and is almost certainly "encouraged" by the ISA's government.
This economic rivalry is exceeded only by the clash between the Empire State and the Nation of Hollywood. Each claims to be the center of culture in North America, contentions that have created tension between the two nations. These tensions were exacerbated by a botched trade negotiation between them; Hollywood responded by threatening an embargo of entertainment properties (movies, radio shows and so on). Since that incident, Hollywood has treated the Empire State with suspicion, and neither side shows any signs of backing down.
Free Colorado State
Free Colorado State
Like the Republic of Texas, the Free Colorado State doesn't much care who it upsets. Where Texas deliberately antagonizes other nations, Free Colorado is simply too freewheeling to notice. With its mountain-based cities, Free Colorado is a pirate's paradise. Currently, the pirate-controlled city of Boulder and the "free city" of Denver are the leading political capitals, though it is difficult to say which has the real power.
Surrounded by dry nations, Boulder's primary interest lies in running alcohol into those areas, along with the occasional raid of resources. In addition, a thriving outlaw mechanic industry has formed in Colorado, with scores of machinists and aircraft experts performing illegal and dangerous modifications on pirate craft.
French Louisiana
French Louisiana
The first state to split with the new Confederacy of Dixie was Louisiana, which maintains cultural ties to France. Louisiana was the wettest of the Confederate states, with a large French-speaking population, Napoleonic law, and large Catholic population. The Louisiana-Confederacy match was doomed, and divorce quick (and the Confederacy could hardly complain: state independence is part of the Confederate creed).
Since then, French Louisiana has leaned heavily on the Mother Country and other Francophone nations, mainly Haiti and Quebec, for support and trade. A poor nation surrounded by hostile—or at best, neutral—nations, dependent on trade, Louisiana floats its economy on legal and illegal alcohol trade.Agriculture, salt exports, Gulf Fishing, and Mississippi River trade are the backbone of Louisiana's economy. The state is defended by wily "Swamp-Bat" militia pilots and a French Foreign Legion division (mainly against aggressive Texas Air Rangers), but also on guard against renewed Alabama agression.
Kingdom of Hawaii
Like the other native nations formerly under the U.S. government, the Hawaiian, Philippine and other territorial Islands saw the disintegration of the U.S.A. as the death of an overlord. No tears were shed for the loss of Federal government, and Unionism is virtually unheard-of in the former territories.
While the Lakota and Navajo nations are regarded on the continent as the only Native-ruled states to come out of the dissolution of the U.S., this attitude ignores the rise of the Kingdom of Hawaii and the re-emergent sovereign states among the various former US territories. Hawaii lacks heavy industry, but thrives on sugar cane exports and port services, providing the only real island port in the central Pacific.
Hawaii’s leader, King Jonah Kuhio Kalaniana ‘ole, wisely realized his kingdom could profit from the destabilization of North America. While outwardly neutral, King Jonah has met with many heads of state from around the globe, hoping to strike trade and defense pacts that would benefit Hawaii. Hollywood, White and Red Russians, and Imperial Japan have ongoing diplomatic missions to Hawaii, since whoever controls Hawaii controls the Pacific.
Industrial States of America
The manufacturing giant of the continent, the Industrial States of America has more industrial capacity than its two closest competitors combined. The I.S.A. produces airplanes, zeppelins, automobiles, engines, weapons, appliances, tools, and virtually anything else that can be fabricated. It is also blessed with a large and varied agricultural base, producing enough food to feed its own citizens and export surplus to foreign markets. It retains an impressive internal road and rail network, serving the logistical needs of the six Industrial States well.
The only thing the ISA really lacks is access to markets: the ISA is surrounded by rivals and enemies, none of whom make it easy to get to market. All waterborne shipping into and out of the Great Lakes region is either subject to heavy tariff or refused passage by the Empire State. Ontario's neutrality allows a small loophole, though the ISA finds Ontario's handling fees only marginally more acceptable. Quebec's tariffs are just as bad as Ontario's and the other Canadian alternatives. French Louisiana is more affordable, but shipping down the Mississippi requires small but additive handling fees for Arkansas, Missouri, and Mississippi, and from Appalachia. The ISA can hardly complain; the Confederation of Dixie states make up a large percentage of the ISA's continental market. Zeppelin air cargo is cheaper per shipment, but air freight continues to be expensive in bulk, and is subject to air piracy.
The Child of the 80's and above
