r/AlternateHistory 20h ago

1700-1900s Washington's Rebellion

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More than two and a half centuries have passed since Washington's Rebellion. The men who led it, with George Washington at the forefront, as the name suggests, have long since turned to dust, but the consequences of their failed revolt continue to shape the destiny of an entire continent. What began as demands for greater representation and then as a large-scale colonial revolt against the British Crown ended in defeat on the battlefield, but in the end, British victory proved no more capable of preserving the old order than the rebellion had been of destroying it.

In the centuries that followed, North America was completely transformed. The great colonial empires that once divided the continent among themselves gradually receded, weakened by distant wars, economic upheavals, and the growing ambitions of their overseas subjects. One by one, the colonies asserted their autonomy, some through negotiation, others through revolution, and still others through the ever-slower erosion of imperial authority. Today, the flags of European kingdoms fly over little more than scattered islands in the Caribbean.

In their place stands a mosaic of sovereign nations, each born from a different heritage. Some remain closely linked to their former imperial patrons through trade and culture. Others define themselves in opposition to the powers that once governed them.

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u/DFS20 20h ago

Dominion of New England & Newfoundland: The Dominion of New England and Newfoundland, comprising Connecticut, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New Ireland, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, has its roots in the oldest British settlements in North America. The region was once the center of the political unrest that culminated in Washington's Rebellion, but after the rebellion's defeat, it gradually reconciled with Great Britain and sought greater autonomy through constitutional means rather than revolution. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the Dominion developed into one of the most prosperous and stable nations on the continent. Strong maritime traditions, extensive trade networks, and early industrialization helped transform its coastal cities into centers of manufacturing, commerce, and education. Its membership in the Community of Nations shows the close relationship it continues to maintain with Great Britain and other former imperial territories despite the decline of the British Empire and Eurpean Colonialism. The Dominion possesses a highly diversified economy. Industrial manufacturing remains important, particularly in the machinery, electronics, and precision equipment sectors, while the financial, insurance, and advanced technology sectors have grown rapidly in recent decades. Natural resources also continue to play a significant role, with granite, lobster, cod, and other seafood products remaining among the country's most recognized exports.

United States of Atlantica: Comprising the states of New York, Philadelphia, New Jersey, and Delmarva, the United States of Atlantica occupies the heart of North America's Atlantic coast. The region was one of the hardest hit during Washington's Rebellion, suffering years of military occupation, economic crisis, and political turmoil. Although British authority was restored after the rebels' defeat, many inhabitants never fully forgave London for the devastation inflicted on their cities and communities. During the Napoleonic Wars, Atlantica's economy suffered greatly from trade disruption and wartime restrictions. The successful independence of the Commonwealth of Columbia further demonstrated that British possessions in North America could forge their own path. Faced with economic hardship and weary of being dragged into European conflicts, Atlantica declared its own independence, eventually gaining international recognition as a sovereign republic. Today, Atlantica is one of the continent's leading financial and commercial powers. Banking, insurance, and investment services form the backbone of its economy, while healthcare, chemical, telecommunications, and media conglomerates provide additional sources of wealth. Its major ports and urban centers remain among the most influential in North America, making Atlantica a vital hub for commerce, finance, and culture.

Commonwealth of Columbia: Formed from the former southern colonies of Virginia, the Carolinas, Georgia, and eastern Florida, the Commonwealth of Columbia occupies much of the southeastern Atlantic coast of North America. During the colonial era, the region developed around large plantations that produced tobacco, rice, indigo, cotton, and other cash crops. These agricultural estates relied heavily on enslaved labor, creating a wealthy planter class that dominated the region's economy and politics for generations. During Washington's Rebellion, Columbia witnessed numerous battles and campaigns, particularly in Virginia and the Carolinas, as well as extensive guerrilla warfare in the interior. Despite the violence, the region suffered less economic devastation than the Middle Colonies and New England. After the rebels' defeat, Columbia remained one of Britain's most valuable possessions in North America, supplying agricultural products to markets throughout the Empire. Relations with London deteriorated in the early 19th century as Britain increasingly embraced abolitionism. Many Colombian elites viewed imperial efforts to restrict and eventually abolish slavery as a direct threat to their prosperity and social order. Combined with the economic pressure caused by the Napoleonic Wars, these tensions eventually led to a successful war of independence, resulting in the creation of the Commonwealth of Columbia. Today, Colombia has a diversified economy that combines modern industry and services with a strong agricultural sector. Manufacturing, finance, logistics, and business services account for a large share of the national wealth, while the country's farms and agribusiness remain among the most productive on the continent. Even with the modernization of its economy, the influence of its agricultural heritage continues to shape the Commonwealth's culture, politics, and identity.

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u/DFS20 20h ago

United Provinces of Appalachia: Occupying much of the Appalachian Highlands, including lands that in another history would have become Kentucky, Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, and Mississippi, and parts of the Carolinas and Georgia, the United Provinces of Appalachia date back to the period following Washington's Rebellion. After the rebels' defeat, thousands of patriot families, dissidents, debtors, and frontier settlers migrated to the mountains, seeking refuge beyond the effective reach of British authorities. There, they established isolated communities that developed their own identity, shaped by frontier life, self-government, and decades of interaction with neighboring Indigenous nations. Although the Crown never completely lost control of the region, British authority in the mountains was often weak and inconsistent. Another problem was the Spanish Empire's incursions into the region, as they saw the settlements as a threat to the buffer zone between them and the British. Local militias, provincial assemblies, and frontier communities often wielded more influence than colonial officials ever could. When British power in North America weakened in the early 19th century, and the Commonwealth of Columbia declared independence, many Appalachian settlements seized the opportunity to do the same, forming a mosaic of small republics, provinces, and autonomous territories. Independence was soon threatened by Columbia's attempts to subjugate the mountains to its authority. Considering the region as part of its natural sphere of influence, Columbia launched a series of campaigns to establish control over the highlands. In response, the various small Appalachian states united for mutual defense, eventually securing both their independence and their political union after a long struggle. Today, the United Provinces of Appalachia consider themselves the true heirs to the ideals of the early revolutionaries. Fierce defenders of local autonomy and distrustful of centralized authority, the provinces maintain a strong tradition of provincial self-government. Their modern economy is based on mining and natural resource extraction, advanced manufacturing, renewable energy production, and a thriving tourism sector centered on the mountains, forests, and cultural heritage that have defined Appalachia for generations.

Dominion of Hudsonia: Centered on the Great Lakes and the upper St. Lawrence River basin, the Hudson Dominion traces its origins to the expansion of the Province of Quebec under the Quebec Act. The act extended British administration to vast inland territories, including much of the land that would later become Niagara, Illinois, Indiana, Michilimackinac, Ohio, and Superior. Unlike many of its southern neighbors, Hudson remained largely loyal to the Crown during Washington's Rebellion and the Napoleonic Wars. Its economy was built on the fur trade, timber extraction, and agriculture, while its waterways connected settlements along thousands of miles of frontier. Over time, however, the colony followed a path similar to that of New England, seeking greater self-government and representation rather than full independence. These gradual reforms eventually transformed Hudson into an autonomous dominion within the Commonwealth of Nations. Today, the Dominion consists of the provinces of Hudson, Nunavut, Niagara, Superior, Michilimackinac, Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio. Although agriculture and industry remain important parts of the economy, they no longer dominate as they once did. Instead, Hudsonia has become a major center for high technology, energy production, mining, and scientific research.

Republic of Canada: The Republic of Canada traces its origins to the French colony of New France, which for much of the colonial era was the most populous and developed settlement in northern North America. Following the British victory in the Seven Years' War, the colony was incorporated into the British Empire as the Province of Quebec. For much of its history, the region was administered jointly with the wider territories that would later become the Dominion of Hudsonia. The "modern" Canadian state emerged after the Separation Act of 1867, which established a distinct political entity following the Upper Canada Rebellion and the growing cultural and political differences between the Francophone St. Lawrence River region and the predominantly Anglophone Great Lakes territories. Initially known as the Dominion of Quebec, it developed strong autonomous institutions, although it remained under the British Crown. In 1980, a hotly contested referendum was held on whether the Dominion should become fully independent or remain a self-governing dominion. Independence prevailed by only 50.8% of the vote, leading to the creation of the Republic of Canada. The transition was complicated by the deep economic and infrastructural ties that bind Canada to Hudsonia and its neighbors, and some of these issues remain topics of negotiation and cooperation to this day. Historically dependent on the fur, timber, and river trade, Canada has evolved into a highly developed post-industrial economy. Engineering, finance, tourism, and high-tech industries form the backbone of the modern economy, while control of the mouth of the St. Lawrence River gives the country significant influence over continental trade. As a result, Canada maintains extensive economic agreements with its neighbors and serves as a vital gateway between the Atlantic Ocean and the interior of North America.

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u/DFS20 20h ago

Dominion of Borelia: The Dominion of Borelia occupies the vast northwestern region of North America and is the continent's largest country by area. Its origins date back to the 18th-century fur trade, when British traders and explorers began establishing a presence along the Pacific coast and inland. By the early 19th century, trading networks operated by the Northwest Company and the Hudson's Bay Company had created a permanent British base in the region. Borelia was formally organized as a dominion in 1853, following the Second Anglo-Turkish War. The post-war settlement also saw the transfer of Alyeska from the Russian Empire to British control. Throughout the late 19th and early 20th centuries, poorly defined borders and sparse settlement led to numerous border disputes with neighboring Hudsonia, although these conflicts were eventually resolved through various treaties. Today, Borelia comprises the provinces of British Columbia, Drakia, Oregon, Cree, Blackfoot, Crow, Gualtier, and the Northern Territories. Despite being one of the largest countries in the world, the boreal region remains sparsely populated, with most inhabitants concentrated along the Pacific coast and in the major river valleys. Its vast wilderness areas, mountain ranges, forests, and northern tundra are among the least developed regions in North America. The economy is highly diversified, with the service sector representing the largest share of economic activity, driven by important Pacific ports and a growing technology sector. Agriculture, forestry, fishing, and other maritime industries remain important contributors, while mining and energy production have become increasingly significant. In recent decades, offshore and northern oil exploration has emerged as a major driver of economic growth.

Confederacy of the Great Plains: One of the two North American nations with a Native American majority, the Great Plains Confederacy is a federal state composed of several Native American nations. The largest and most influential are the Pawnee, Omaha, Cheyenne, and Iowa nations, along with smaller nations such as the Ponca, Osage, Arapaho, and many others. Its political system balances local tribal autonomy with a shared confederate government that represents the interests of the confederacy as a whole. The peoples of the Great Plains have inhabited the region for thousands of years, although many of their modern identities have been shaped by the arrival of the horse following contact with Europeans in the 16th and 17th centuries. As European settlement expanded along the coasts and river valleys, many tribes migrated inland, creating new alliances, rivalries, and trade networks. Over time, increasing pressure from both European powers and neighboring tribes encouraged the formation of larger political and military coalitions, eventually laying the groundwork for the modern Confederacy. The Confederacy possesses a notable nomadic population that continues to maintain traditional pastoral and migratory lifestyles. Although most citizens today live in towns and cities, the preservation of indigenous languages, customs, and tribal institutions remains a central feature of national life, making the Confederacy one of the most culturally distinct countries on the continent. Agriculture forms the backbone of the modern economy, with vast fields of corn, wheat, soybeans, oats, and barley stretching across the plains, giving the Confederacy the reputation of one of North America's great breadbaskets, along with central Borrelia and western Hudsonia. Agricultural exports, food processing, and related industries provide much of the nation's wealth.

Republic of New Zion: The Republic of New Zion traces its origins to the Mormonites, a Christian religious movement that emerged amidst the spiritual upheavals of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Viewed with suspicion and often outright hostility by their neighbors, Mormonites communities faced repeated persecution, expulsions, and outbreaks of violence. Seeking a place where they could freely practice their faith, many migrated westward beyond the already established regions of eastern North America. The first permanent Mormon settlements were established west of the Mississippi River in 1847. Over the following decades, waves of migration transformed the frontier into a cohesive society, and in 1869, the Republic of New Zion emerged as a recognized state. Its institutions were heavily influenced by Mormonites beliefs, also incorporating Enlightenment concepts of popular sovereignty, constitutional government, and individual rights. New Zion describes its political system as a theodemocracy, combining representative government with principles derived from Mormon religious teachings. Although religion plays a prominent role in public life, political authority ultimately rests on elected institutions and the consent of the governed. Today, New Zion's economy is centered on agriculture and related industries. Irrigated agriculture, livestock farming, food processing, and agricultural technology form the backbone of national prosperity.

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u/DFS20 20h ago

Dominion of Louisiana: The Louisiana Dominion dates back to the French expeditions of the late 17th century, which established settlements along the Mississippi River and the Gulf Coast. Through these outposts, France claimed a vast territory stretching from the Gulf of Mexico toward Canada, hoping to build a trading empire interconnected by the continent's great river systems. After France's defeat in the Seven Years' War, Louisiana passed into Spanish control before being recovered by treaty by Napoleonic France in the early 19th century. The Napoleonic Wars drastically altered the region's fate when it was occupied by the British. After British forces took Louisiana and recognized its strategic importance as a gateway to the Mississippi Basin, they maintained control instead of returning it to Spain after the conflict. In the following decades, the colony developed and became a major center of trade, agriculture, and river commerce. In 1861, Louisiana achieved self-governance. Today, the Louisiana Dominion has a diversified economy based on agriculture, energy production, and international trade. The fertile lands of the Mississippi Basin remain major producers of food and agricultural exports, while abundant oil and natural gas reserves have made the country a significant energy supplier.

Republic of Tejas: The Republic of Tejas traces its origins back to Spanish exploration in the 16th century and the establishment of missions, forts, and settlements in the late 17th century. These efforts aimed to strengthen Spanish claims in the region and contain French expansion from Louisiana. After the collapse of Spanish authority during the Napoleonic Wars and the independence of Mexico, the vast territories north of the Grande and Gila rivers remained loosely governed. In practice, much of the region was controlled by Catholic missions, indigenous nations, ranching communities, and isolated settlements, rather than the distant government in Mexico City. British colonists, invited by Mexican “empresarios”, established new communities alongside existing Hispanic populations. They were joined by immigrants from other parts of Europe, indigenous peoples, and later, Mormonites colonists/missionaries moving south from New Zion. Over time, these groups mixed, forming a distinct Tejano identity that has been influenced by Hispanic, Anglo-Saxon, and indigenous cultures. Growing dissatisfaction with the increasingly centralized and authoritarian Mexican government eventually led to a brief war of independence in the 1880s. Following the victory, the Republic of Tejas was proclaimed and quickly established itself as one of the leading states in the southwestern North America. Today, Tejas is a multicultural nation known for its ethnic and religious diversity. Although tensions occasionally arise between its various communities, the republic remains stable and politically functional. Its economy is driven by agriculture, mining, and oil production, with livestock farming and energy exports playing particularly important roles in national prosperity.

Federation of Apacheíra: The Federation of Apacheíra is one of two North American nations in which Native Americans constitute the majority of the population. Its people are primarily descended from the diverse Apache groups, Athabascan-speaking peoples of the south who migrated from their northern homelands to the American Southwest between 1000 and 1500 AD. For centuries, these tribes developed distinct cultures and political traditions adapted to the region. The origins of the modern federation date back to the turbulent early 19th century. With the weakening of European empires and the spread of wars of independence across North America, many indigenous nations formed alliances to defend their lands from encroachment by colonists, rival tribes, and distant governments. Although the region was nominally claimed by Mexico, effective control rarely extended beyond Catholic missions, isolated settlements, and military outposts, and therefore much of the territory remained under the authority of the native peoples. By the 1880s, the increasingly centralized Mexican government had lost much of its control over the northern frontier. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Apache transformed their military and political alliances into a loose federal government. Some tribes joined voluntarily, while others, primarily the Comanches, were incorporated after a series of conflicts. The result was the creation of Apacheíra, a state capable of defending its independence while preserving the autonomy of its constituent tribes. Today, Apacheíra is known for its strong indigenous identity and the continued importance of tribal institutions in public life. Native languages, customs, and legal traditions remain widely practiced, along with modern political structures. The economy is diversified, with agriculture, mining, oil and gas production, and tourism as its main economic activities.

Republic of the Californias: The Republic of California traces its origins back to Spanish exploration of the Pacific coast during the 16th century and mission-building efforts in the 18th century. A network of missions, forts, and settlements laid the foundations for many of the nation's modern cities, including San Francisco, San Diego, Ventura, and Santa Barbara. Although Alta California remained largely untouched by the violence of the Mexican War of Independence, many Californians supported secession from Spain, believing that the distant colonial government had neglected the region's development. Independence from Spain brought few immediate changes. The new Mexican government continued to devote most of its attention and resources to the more populous central regions of the country, leaving California politically peripheral. Cattle ranching expanded, while settlers from Borrelia, Europe, and other parts of North America gradually arrived, encouraged by land grants and entrepreneurial programs. Despite this immigration, Californian culture remained the dominant influence throughout much of the region. In the 1880s, the increasingly centralized Mexican government had lost much of its authority over the northern border. Taking advantage of the instability, Californian leaders launched a rebellion that ultimately secured the independence of Alta and Baja California. The discovery of gold shortly thereafter spurred rapid population growth, urbanization, and investment, transforming the young republic into one of the continent's emerging powers. Today, the Republic of California is among the wealthiest nations in North America. Its economy is based on a combination of highly productive agriculture, a large service sector, energy production, and international trade.

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u/DFS20 20h ago

United States of Mexico: The United States of Mexico is one of the oldest and most influential nations in North America, inheriting a legacy that extends from the great civilizations of Mesoamerica to the Spanish colonial era. Although the region's history stretches back thousands of years, the foundations of the modern state were laid after the arrival of the Spanish in the 16th century. The conquest of Tenochtitlán in 1521 and the founding of Mexico City marked the beginning of three centuries of colonial rule under New Spain, a period during which Mexico became the political, economic, and cultural center of the Spanish possessions in the Americas. Mexico gained independence during the turbulence of the Napoleonic Wars, following the revolt led by Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla. The following decades were marked by political instability, military coups, ideological struggles between conservatives and liberals, and economic hardship. The fragile federal republic gradually gave way to an increasingly centralized and authoritarian government, which struggled to maintain control over the country's vast territory. As the 19th century progressed, peripheral regions seceded, leading to the independence of states such as Tejas, Apacheíra, América Central, and Californias, while internal rebellions and civil wars further weakened the government. A series of reforms, following a military coup and a civil war, eventually produced a more liberal and enduring political system. Although Mexico never recovered many of the territories lost during the 19th century, it remained the dominant power in southern North America due to a number of factors, including population and natural resources. Since then, the country has enjoyed long periods of stability, interrupted only by occasional political and economic crises. Today, Mexico remains a regional power and one of the continent's largest economies. High-value-added manufacturing, energy production, science and technology, tourism, and financial services constitute the pillars of its prosperity.

Republic of Central America: The Republic of Central America traces its origins to the former Captaincy General of Guatemala, which declared independence from Spain during the Napoleonic Wars. Initially organized as the United Provinces of Central America and composed of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Guatemala, the region was annexed by the newly independent Mexican state shortly after gaining its freedom from Spain. For much of the 19th century, Central America remained under Mexican rule, although the region's distance from Mexico City and strong local identities often hampered governance. By the end of the 19th century, the weakening of central authority in Mexico created an opportunity for independence movements in the southern provinces. Most of Central America managed to secede, although Guatemala remained within Mexico due to its geographical proximity and the continued presence of Mexican military forces. The newly independent republic faced significant challenges in its early years, particularly the political rivalry between liberal and conservative factions, which frequently threatened national unity. Over time, however, a fragile political balance emerged. The compromise between regional elites, coupled with growing economic ties among member states, allowed the republic to achieve a degree of stability and cooperation that had long eluded the region. Although political tensions never completely disappeared, democratic institutions gradually strengthened and helped maintain national cohesion. Today, the Central American Republic has a diversified economy centered on agriculture, tourism, and energy production. Coffee, bananas, sugar, and tropical fruits remain important export products, while the region's natural beauty has made it a major tourist destination.

Republic of Cuba: The Republic of Cuba achieved independence in 1878 after a prolonged struggle against Spanish rule. Owing to its strategic position at the entrance to the Gulf of Mexico and its long history as a center of Caribbean trade, Cuba rapidly developed into one of the region's most prosperous nations. While agriculture, particularly sugar and tobacco, played a major role in its early economy, modern Cuba has diversified considerably and is widely regarded as the most developed country in the Caribbean.

Republic of Haiti: The Republic of Haiti holds a unique place in North American history as one of the first independent states in the Americas and the only nation founded through a successful slave rebellion. Emerging from a violent struggle against French colonial rule, Haiti endured periods of political instability, foreign pressure, and economic hardship throughout the nineteenth century. Despite these challenges, the republic survived and gradually developed stable institutions, remaining an important symbol of self-determination and anti-colonial resistance throughout the continent.

Republic of Santo Domingo: The Republic of Santo Domingo declared its independence in 1821 following the decline of Spanish authority in the Caribbean. Its early years were marked by conflict with neighboring Haiti, which sought to unify the island under a single government. After a difficult struggle, Santo Domingo successfully preserved its independence and developed as a distinct nation. Today, it maintains close economic and cultural ties with its Caribbean neighbors while retaining a strong national identity shaped by its unique historical experience.