Red, White and Blue, But Mostly Red

A new maps I've created, because hey, it's been more than long enough. Among other things in this world:


The American Labor movement got strangled in its cradle. There were many reasons for this, but one of the biggest reasons was the assassination of Theodore Roosevelt shortly fairly early into his presidency. As a result progressive reforms never came about and class tents ion continued to strain. Things finally came to a head follow the 1929 stock market crash. Communist and socialist movements had been growing for years, and revolution soon engulfed the nation like wild fire. Eventually, the capitalist government was overthrown and the United States of America ceased to exist. From the ashes rose a new nation: the United American Workers Republic. The first few years of the new nation's existence with a tumultuous and trying time, but eventually law and order were reestablished. Reforms were put into places to make the lives of workers fairer and equality was guaranteed regardless of race, gender or (in time) sexuality.

In Russia, Czar Alexander II survived his assassination attempt and managed to bring democratic reforms to Russia. Czar Alexander also increased Russia's ties with its fellow Orthodox nation Ethiopia, and in time the royal families would go on to intermarry and unite the two nations. Thanks to Alexander's reforms Russia was set on a path toward becoming a great nation and never fell to communism.

America's fall to communism shocked more than a few nations in Europe, but all the same, they were more than happy to receive American support when World War II broke out. Following the war the world became dominated by three great powers: the United American Workers Republic, the Russian Empire and the Franco-British Union. Following the end of the war the British and French combined their empires and governments to form an stronger nation than they could be individually. America was the first nation to develop atomic bombs, but it wasn't long before Russia and the Franco-British developed their own bombs as well.

During the war America allowed millions of European Jews to temporarily settle in Alaska. As a result only two million Jews were killed in the Holocaust. What to do now is a bit of a hotly debated topic. Resettlement in Franco-British Palestine and Trans-Jordan has been suggested by some, but it isn't considered a serious option. More feasible options include accepting the settlements as their own state, incorporating the settlements into Alaska or turning the settlements into something akin to Native Reservations.

The United American Workers Republic had maintained good relationships with its Latin American and Caribbean neighbors since its founding. Said good relations also include funding more than a few socialist and communist movements. The nations of Latin America have seen quite a bit of prosperity, are all rather fond of their Tio Samuel and are among America's closest allies. Iran is also a close ally of America due to America's support of the 1954 Revolution. Thanks to the success of the revolution Iran is a successful secular social democracy that never fell to Islamic fundamentalism. Turkey has traditionally been Russia's ally, but lately it has been warming up to America. This is partially due to how, even though they claimed they'd give it back, Russia has been occupying Istanbul, or rather Constantinople, since the end of the war.

Following the war America reformed Japan along socialist lines. The imperial family abdicated the throne, and the Workers Republic of Japan was born. The Korean peninsula was divided America and Russia; America helped set up socialist government in the south, while Russia established a constitutional monarchy in the north. Russia also established a constitutional monarchy in Manchuria, and America established a socialist government on the island of Taiwan. Mainland China, despite Russia's best efforts, ultimately decided to become a representative democracy; though the two nations remain close allies.

Things also changed in Europe after the war. Germany and Italy were divided with the hopes of preventing another war, new nations were born and existing nations had their boarders redrawn. Russia, with the hope of preventing another world war, established an economic union of European nations. The founding members included Russia, Poland, Bulgaria, Romania, Yugoslavia, Czechoslovakia and East Germany. Over the years Greece, Austria, South Italy, the Nordic Nations and even Turkey joined the Union of European Nations. The Franco-British established their own union, know as the Western European Alliance, to counter the UEN. The Alliance includes Spain, Portugal, North Italy, the Benelux nations and of course the Franco-British.

All three of the major powers have space programs and have gotten involved in a space race. America dominated the first half of the race launching the first satellite, animal, man, woman, person of color and eventually landing on the Moon. The second half, featuring atomic powered crafts constructed in orbit, was a bit more evenly matched. America still made it to Mars first, but it wasn't quite the landslide victory the Moon Race was. The next step is a mission to the Jovian Moons, with Europa being a prime candidate. However, finding a way to deal with Jupiter's radiation belts is proving a bit of an issue, but many are still convinced that solutions will be found.


Tensions between the three great powers are beginning to ease as of lately. America and Russia have historically been fairly liberal, and the Franco-British have started to loosen up as well. Speaking of the Franco-British, their empire is increasingly becoming more of a federation and citizens of all races are enjoying greater rights. Granted this is mostly as a means of preventing socialist uprisings, but everyone agrees it's a step in the right direction. America and its allies are frequently stereotyped as being communist, but in reality their a lot closer to democratic socialists. Korea has been peacefully reunited as a representative democracy. Germany and Italy remain divided, their halves beginning to develop destructive identities; however, this might not necessarily be a bad thing.

The three great powers still have something of a competition, but they've become frenemies rather than outright rivals. Even at their worst the competition was never really that bad. On the whole this world isn't exactly better or worse than ours, though it is rather different

The Dustbin of History

My latest map set in an alternate 1990s were among other things:


Following the assassination of Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1933 the United States suffered a second civil war which ultimately tore the nation apart. The Northeast became the communist United American Commune, the Mid-Atlantic and Upland South there about became a fascist military dictatorship, the black belt states became the socialist-leaning Republic of New Afrika and Texas is once again a republic with fascist leanings. Something of a rump United States exists in the upper Mid-West, but it's been many years since elections were last held and its increasingly falling under socialist influences. Meanwhile, most of the West Coast states were conquered by the Japanese during World War II.

Speaking of World War II, it dragged one for a few years longer, but ultimately ended in an Allied Victory, albeit with considerably more dead Soviets. Following the war the Soviets were able to bargain for a bigger piece of the post-war pie thanks to their added contributions to the war effort. Before long Germany, Greece, Turkey, Austria, Finland and large portions of Italy and France fell to Soviet occupation. The nations of Western Europe banded together, but in a very Finlandization kind of way.

Meanwhile, the Japanese Empire emerged from the war stronger than ever. Their East Asian Co-Prosperity Sphere has become more of a Pan-Pacific Co-Prosperity Sphere with the addition of the American territories. The Japanese are the primary rivals of the Soviets and have funded several right-wing juntas to combat Soviet expansionism.

Alaska is a bit of buffer territory between the Soviet Union and Japanese North America. Over the years it has become homeland for the Jews. Skirmishes with Native Alaskans and old settler Americans are still common occurrences, and the threat of invasion remains an ever present possibility. Still, for many Jews having a place to call home make all of that worth it.

As decolonization moved forward during the 50s and 60s it created several new trading partners for the Soviets. Prominent African socialists include the United States of Latin Africa and the East African Federation. Destalinization occurred much more smoothly, Soviet republics were given greater autonomy and non-Russians were able to move up the ranks of allowed to ascend to positions of authority. The Soviet Union also emphasis infrastructure and consumer goods; adding to the overall quality of life for the average citizen.

Meanwhile, Japan also experienced reforms and changes to its empire. Japanese society began to liberalize and the rights of non-Japanese citizens were expanded. Japan also focused on building up its infrastructure and consumer goods. Japan lent aid to the right wing juntas of Brazil, Argentina and Chile after much of Latin America formed the Soviet sponsored Republic of Latin American Socialists. Support was also provided to South Africa to counter the Soviet Union's African allies.

Pan-Arabism is in full bloom. Egypt, Sudan, Palestine, Lebanon, Syria and Iraq has formed the United Arab Republic. The UAR was originally a close Soviet ally, but in recent years has begun to move away and form a Third Party power block. Islam still plays a major role in daily life, but the UAR is much more laid back and liberal than in our world.

The few non-communist nations of Europe banded together into a European Union-esque organization. However, as the years went on these nations failed to compete with the Soviet Union economically. By the 1980s several popular fronts were established throughout Western Europe and communist governments were soon established. Many of these now communist nations are now considering merging with the Soviet Union. The British, Dutch and French governments have fled to their holdings in South America.

By the 1990s the Cold War is more or less over. As far as the Western world is concerned the Soviet Union has emerged as the clear winner. Communism is triumphant while democracy and capitalism have been sentenced to the dustbin of history. Economist throughout the world are scratching their heads as to how the Soviets managed to solve their economic woes, but clearly they did something right.

Still, all isn't entirely lost. The Japanese, and their sphere of influence still provide plenty of competition for the Soviets. Slowly but surely the fascist nations are beginning to liberalize and granting more rights to their citizens. Perhaps one day democracy will see a revival. For now, everyone is looking towards the skies. Following the Japanese victory in the Moon Race it is now Mars that is next great target. Meanwhile, Soviet and Japanese orbital stations and lunar bases are being constructed with increasing frequency.