by Esin » Thu Nov 07, 2013 11:57 am
It seems unlikely that all 50 states would declare and maintain war on all other states simultaneously so it's likely you would quickly see pacts forming around the strongest states (mainly the ones you mentioned) as they ally with or conquer nearby states. You may even see certain states split apart. I could very easily see Southern Florida splitting away from Northern Florida during a war against a group of southern states (like GA/Al who would likely ally together due to fairly close cultural differences and to maximize resource usage.) Southern Florida might in turn ally with some of the northeastern states since neither really would pose much of a threat to the other and they also have a lot of cultural and economic ties, and FL would provide a good staging ground for the northern states to invade a southern block (probably clustered around GA). Other states might try to stay neutral. Nevada would be a good candidate for that since it has a small population with almost no industrial production and therefore no way to wage war against its bigger neighbors. Otherwise it would ally with California.
Basically my prediction is that groups of states would quickly establish themselves through conquest or alliance as follows:
A north eastern group centered around NY with DC an affiliated but not subjugated Jr. Partner. Southern Florida would likely either be affiliated with this group or would declare neutrality protected by 3 sides by water and bordered on the north by a fairly depopulated region of GA that would be far more distracted fighting a larger threat to its North.
A southern block consisting centered around GA, AL, SC, TN, KY, MS, LA, and maybe AR. This group would be primarily focus on its war with the Northeast and would establish friendly relations with the Texas Bloc.
South Western Bloc - Centered around TX it would include OK MO KS (CO?) NM. AZ is a toss up along with CO which could just as easily go to an East Coast Bloc. Some of those states would willingly affiliate themselves with TX such as AR and OK. Others like NM would likely be invaded and brought into the alliance through force.
The northern mountain states would have no natural population base to establish an independent region and would likely try to remain neutral. However because of their strategic/resource value the larger powers that surround it would likely not respect the neutrality and would either forcibly incorporate the mountain region into their bloc or the bloc will affiliate itself with one of the larger powers as an autonomous jr member. If the mountain states are able to produce a capable leader they might be able to stay independent by playing off various powers against each other or by allying itself with Canada.
The northern Mid West would probably cluster around Chicago/Illinois which might either affiliate itself with the Northeast or remain neutral and try to affiliate itself with the mountain states combining the Mid Wests population with the Mountain Regions plentiful natural resources.
The Pacific Region would form a bloc based around California which would likely include NV WA OR UT (maybe CO & AZ).
These blocs would likely each have one or two main opponents based on geography, culture, resources and history. They would also likely maintain friendly relationships with other blocs. So for example, one could easily imagine the Southern Bloc allying with the Texan Bloc against the Northeastern Bloc which would likely form friendly relations with the Mid Western Bloc based around Chicago. The Texas bloc would likely engage both Californian bloc and the New York bloc but would concentrate on CA on its doorstep but support the Southern Bloc by providing resources such as fuel and food.
The northeast would have an large advantage with regards to both general population and $$$ but it would be disadvantaged with both natural resources (such as fuel) and military equipment which are more heavily centered in southern and regions further to the west.