The Hall Proposal

Mckay Hall writes in with this proposal:

The red is "Indian Land" named after the indians who originally inhabitated the area.
The dark blue is called "United Wealth States" due to the other nations inhabitants visited often.
The light green is called "Four Corners" named after the fact that the four corners is there, even though they don't share much cultural heritage together other then they were originally part of mexico.
The dark green is called "Central Plains of America" due to the great plains being there.
The sky blue is called "Texas" since it saw no point of changing a perfectly good name.
The blue is called "Florida" for the same reason as texas has it's name.
The tan is called "United Colonies of America" due to the 13 original colonies being there.
The yellow is called "Hawaii" and some of it's inhabitants have reverted to basic village life to honor their ancestors.
The pink is called "The Mariner's Alaska" due to them controlling the sea for miles around.
Criticize as you see fit.

I'm a little unclear on the meaning of some of this, but there's room for everybody in EUP.

The Switzerland Proposal

Michael Weaver writes in with his own very thorough analysis of his own map!

This map is based on the (debatable and politically incorrect) premise that the United States may be too culturally diverse to hold itself together: ethnically diverse nations either stay together because one group forcefully subdues the others (as in the USSR), because different groups assimilate into a common culture (as in Brazil), or because different groups have been separated by clear geographical boundaries, as in Switzerland.

By this theory, the United States may have been held together earlier by domination, but without that, we have no secure bond. Our diverse groups aren't likely to become a true melting pot the way Brazil has. If we want to avoid an eventual Yugoslavia-style breakup, that leaves imitating Switzerland; marking off clear boundaries for the major cultural, ethnic, and language groups in the United States. This can theoretically be done by looking at current demographics and accenting them even more, giving people some kind of incentive to move to where their group is predominant. Over time, (unlike in Switzerland) these regions would gradually become sovereign countries with homogenous, clearly defined cultures, which tend to be the most stable countries.

Of course some people wouldn't want to move, but it should be a consolation that so many groups will have their own piece of land. African Americans get a broad swath of the South, where many already live. Hispanics, likewise, get much of the Southwest, where they have lived for centuries. The remainder of Texas that is not already dominated by Hispanics becomes the Republic of Texas, to satisfy the push for independence that is sure to arise there. To the South of the "Black Belt" is a small portion of the Deep South dominated by whites, which becomes sort of a de facto new Confederacy. Further south yet, the remainder of Florida joins with southern Louisiana to make a nation with a Creole flavor. The north continental US is split into four parts: the liberal West Coast; the conservative Heartland; the moderate Great Lakes and Mid-Atlantic, and New England, which may join with Canada's Maritime Provinces. Alaska and Hawaii also become independent.

Since my concern was making culturally homogenous nations, I didn't respect current state boundaries much. I also didn't pay much attention to county lines, transportation routes, or rivers. I mostly went by current demographics, and even my knowledge of that is far from exhaustive, so the map is very much open to criticism (as is the premise behind it). Still, should the need arise, I think it would be a good starting point to make a plan for the United States to go out with dignity, and leave behind stable, secure states in its place.

LJ's Division

Our first official submission from outside the US! LJ Thiara writes in from Canada with his proposal. LJ brings up a good question in his notes - if the US divided, would Canada hold? We here at Ex Unum, Pluribus have no ill wishes for our neighbors to the North, and would hope that they share our principle of self-determination.

I think the "Undecided States" are pretty good - they're so independent down there it doesn't seem likely that they'd band together as anything. And they'd still retain the USA initials!

The Neely Proposal

Joey Neely has helpfully included his map legend here:

Light pink is the Great Pacific Nation. Capital Is Seattle.
Gray Is the Rocky Mountains. There Capital is Boulder.
Yellow Is the Great Plain States. Capital St. Louis
Brown Is Mexamerica. Capital Dallas.
Dark Blue is The Gulf States. Capital New Orleans.
Red is the United Confederacy of America. Capital Atlanta.
Light Green. Great States Of The Lakes. Capital Cleveland.
Green is Appalachia States Of America. Capital Charleston.
Pink is the Atlantic states of America. Capital Washington.
Light Blue Is the Northeast. Capital Boston.
Maine goes to Canada.
Hawaii Is Independent.

We here at EUP think there are some wise choices going on here, specifically independence for Hawaii as well as an independent Appalachia. Well done, Mr. Neely!

The Party Nation

Sarah is fed up with all the political squabbling and bickering between political parties - and so she's devised a way to divide the nation into rival party factions. Sure, they're a little more diverse than the usual red state / blue state analysis, but that's the way Ex Unum, Pluribus! should be.

My two favorites are the outliers: Hawaii, which actually had a queen as recently as 1893, has become the Constitutional Monarchy State. Alaska, which was always a little too close to Russia for my comfort, is now the Communist Party State, and Anchorage has changed its name to New Moscow.

The American Union

Brad Hengehold has a plan, modeled somewhat on the EU: The American Union. We've got a pretty straight-forward division here, dividing mostly along state lines (Idaho is an exception). We hear at EUP are pretty fascinated by the new nation name 'Creolbean,' which has a wonderful ring to it as soon as you can work out a pronunciation. Our guess: Like Creole + Caribbean, not Creole + Red Beans and Rice.

The Fantasy Nations

Brad Beasley chimes in with the Fantasy USA. Beasley's division is a more focused on Lord-of-the-Rings-type spheres of influence than national borders. Who's to say where the Black Valley ends and the Magician's Fortress begins?

Clearly, however, we do know that Canada and Mexico are densely wooded, and effectively off the map. Here there be Yeti.

Dan Daly proposes a new division.

Daly has a clever division here - notable decisions include separating Boston from New York City (wise), and the creation of Viceland, including LA and Vegas.

The River Division

Andy Pollak divides the territories along its rivers.



Calling it "America like Europe", Pollak divides the territories along its rivers - its natural boundaries - creating more than thirty new nations.

Chad Krizan proposes the USNFL.

Chad's got a clever grouping here. Can I draft in Idaho?

This Land is . . .

Amber Stewart knocks it out of the park with her proposal, taking inspiration from Woody Guthrie.

Go ahead, just TRY to read this map without singing to yourself. It's impossible!

The Roy Proposal

Amanda Roy writes in with her proposal - titled, Formerly Yours, The United States.



We here at Ex Unum, Pluribus! love the evocative name, "Shallowlands" for the southeast. Nice work, Amanda.

The Ten Nations

This new, anonymous submission suggests an orderly division of ten new nations.



Particularly nice is the new nation NIKO - made up of the former Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas and Oklahoma. Wouldn't it be lovely to hail from Topeka, Niko? That's got a great ring to it.

The Phillips Proposal

Joshua Phillips writes in with his proposal - the American Union.



Be sure to read the notes in black below the map. Particularly nice here are the nations of Atlanta and Pacifica, which group nicely for their geographic as well as cultural characteristics. Don't miss the lovely alternate name for Minnesconsa: Glacia.

The Original Proposal

The original proposal put forth sixteen new nations. Read about each one below.

The Boundary Waters

Formally known as: Minnesota, Wisconsin, Michigan
Capital: St. Paul
Population: 20,511,362
Fun facts: Revolutionary sentiment in "The Mitten," as its citizens prefer to call it, is growing. Only time will tell if the Boundary Waters can hold together as a nation.

Calivada

Formally known as: California, Nevada
Capital: Sacramento
Population: 37,289,524
Fun facts: After the dissolution of the US, Calivada will hold title to the world's second largest economy.

The Confederate States of the Atlantic

Formally known as: Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina,
most of Virginia
Capital: Columbus
Population: 33,739,318
Fun facts: The CSA is expected to adopt the Stars & Bars as a national flag at their first Confederation Conference.

Cote D'Atlantique

Formally known as: Maine
Capital: L'Amherst
Population: 1,294,464
Fun facts: When the New Nations are born, Cote D'Atlantique (formerly Maine) plans to ally herself with Canada, eventually opting for voluntary annexation. Official language: French.

Dakota

Formally known as: North and South Dakota
Capital: Dakota City
Population: 1,395,173
Fun fact: With their share of the spoils of the defunct federal government, Dakotans plan to build a shining example of a well-planned capital. Dakota City will host 85% of the national population.
Fun fact: Dakotans have proposed a revolutionary new system for their currency. Paper denominations of the 'dakot' will be numbered according to the primes (D1, D2, D3, D5, D7, D11, etc.), and coins (one hundred 'iotas' equal a 'dakot') will follow the fibonacci sequence (1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21, etc.). Math skills are expected to skyrocket as a result.

Designs are still being accepted for both coin and paper currency - send in your submissions > here.

Four Corners

Formally known as: Utah, Colorado, New Mexico, Arizona
Capital: Four Corners
Population: 14,134,310
Fun facts: Once construction is completed, the Parlia-Dome of the Four Corners Capitol building will sit exactly at the juncture of its component states. Members will be able to sit through an entire session of parliament without actually leaving their state's territory.

Ha'awaska

Jersey

Formally known as: Pennsylvania, New Jersey (except areas near NYC), eastern Maryland, Delaware
Capital: New Jersey City
Population: 22,303,674
Fun facts: Still smarting from losing Jersey City to the new nation of New York, Jerseyans plan to rebuild it - and call their new capital New Jersey City.

The Magic Kingdom of Florida

Formally known as: Florida
Capital: Walt Disney World
Population: 16,713,149
Fun facts: Somewhat astonishingly, the Kingdom plans to squeeze the entire executive brance of government inside Cinderella's castle on the grounds of Walt Disney World.

New New England

Formally known as: New York (not including NYC), Vermont, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Rhode Island
Capital: Montpelier
Population: 20,007,209
Fun facts: New England expects to experience tense international relationships with its neighbors: New York, Jersey, and Cote D'Atlantique.

New New York

Formally known as: New York City and surrounding areas
Capital: New York City
Population: 12,231,564
Fun facts: New Yorkers have neither the space nor the temperment for agriculture, and must import all foodstuffs.

Northwest Territories

Formally known as: Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming
Capital: Olympia
Population: 12,339,798
Fun facts: Only in theory will Olympia's governmental powers reach past the Sierra Nevada. Most of the eastern high plains will most likely be controlled (peacably) by independent militias.

The Peoples Republic of the Plains

Formally known as: Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Missouri, Illinois, Iowa
Capital: Uses a dual-capital system to protect the interest of two very different lifestyles: Chicago & Branson
Population: 31,858,816
Fun facts: The PRP expects to dominate the annual IAFA (International American Football Association) championship tournament.

El Republico de Tejas

Formally known as: Texas
Capital: Waco
Population: 20,511,362
Fun facts: Tejanos originally fought the proposals to dissolve the US, arguing they were never really part of the Union anyway.

Soggy Bottom

Formally known as: Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama
Capital: New Orleans
Population: 11,840,936
Fun facts: Soggy Bottom will lead the new nations in consumption of grits.

West Kendiano

Formally known as: Indiana, Ohio, West Virginia, western Maryland, Kentucky, Tennessee, and the western tip of Virginia
Capital: Cincinnati
Population: 29,272,388
Fun facts: While most citizens assume that their new name is an amalgamation of its components, West Kendiano actually refers to the now-extinct Kendiano Native Americans who originally occupied this territory.