Politics

[bloodymage]

Well, the Shattered Frontier might be called the "Fractured Frontier" given the alternate history KenzerCo has advanced for the region. As can be seen by the map and a short synopsis of the history here, one can see that this isn't your grandfather's Old West. There are so many political elements and factions that trouble is apt to brew just about anywhere.

The Texicans own the land, but Mexico ain't happy about it, though most Mexican families in the region try to live quiet lives. Of course there's the vaqueros and banditos, one group proud, the other criminal, both sure to cause dispute in some circles. Then again, the land was originally stolen from the Indians, though they have no concept of "land ownership." All they want are their hunting grounds or planting fields and the lands they hold sacred. Those of European descent mostly have no regard for Injuns and have very definitive notions concerning land titles. The Injuns have grown understandably resentful and often launch raids against the white man and his doings. One notable exception to this is the Sequoyah nation. This entity, established through turmoils, trials and treaties maintain economic ties with the United States and Texas and have no current international disputes, but the Confederacy is viewed with suspicion by them. The agrarian nature of the tribes that make up the nation, Cherokee, Chickasaw Choctaw, Creek and Seminole set them apart from other tribes and allowed the establishment of a nation in the fashion of the white man.

The lives of those in The Cauldron aren't really affected by the policies out of Washington, Texas since the region is situated in the San Juan Mountains of Nuevo México, a rough and tumble region far from the administration of La Ciudad de México. The Confederate States of America have claimed Nuevo México as Confederate territory and has caused diplomatic tension with both the United States and Texas, both of which covet the region as their own. The region is near Deseret and extends into the Arapahoe Territory. Geographically, it's bound by the northern Rio Grande and San Juan rivers. And far from the civilized tribes of Sequoyah, Apache and Comanche Indians launch frequent raids against the settlers here. Most of the residents in The Cauldron are either too busy surviving or to busy making money to pay much heed to the doings of the nations about them, but there are certain forward-looking speculators that keep a finger on the pulse of the continent. What follows is an encapsulation of the powers extant in North America.

United States
Government: Federal Republic
Capital: New York City
Nationality: American
Chief of State: President Schuyler Colfax
Exports: Manufactured goods and equipment, cereal grains, processed meats, textiles
Currency US Dollars
Disputes: Simmering tensions with the CSA and France, claims all pre-war territory of Maryland, Delaware and District of Columbia, dispute with Deseret over infringing claims in Oregon Territory, dispute with Texas over ownership and demarcation of Santa Fe Trail. Periodic conflict with the Native Peoples of the territories.
Alliances: Aligned with Russia against France, non-belligerency pact with Britain.

Confederate States
Government: Confederacy
Capital: Richmond
Nationality: Confederate
Chief of State: President Zebulon Vance
Exports: Cotton, tobacco, sugar, rice
Currency: Confederate Dollars
Disputes: The CSA claims ownership of all pre-war territory belonging to Arkansas and Tennessee, cavalier attitude towards Mexican sovereignty has raised the threat of war.
Alliances: Aligned with France

Texas
Government: Republic
Capital: Washington (nearly named Houston)
Nationality: Texican
Chief of State: President Richard Coke
Exports: Beef, cotton, rice
Currency: Texican Dolares
Disputes: Official demarcation and ownership of The Santa Fe Trail remains an open issue with the United States. Texas has allowed its Rangers to operate as lawmen within Nuevo México due to its general lawlessness. Mexico strongly disputes their authority but is powerless to contend their presence or properly administer the district.
Alliances: Texas relies on the United Kingdom to maintain neutrality in the Gulf.

México
Government: Monarchy
Capital: La Ciudad de México
Nationality: Mexican
Chief of State: Maximilian I, Emperor of México
Exports: Silver
Currency: Peso, older Reals in circulation
Disputes: México considers Deseret territorial claims to be illegal and its residents outlaw squatters, likewise Texas, numerous towns within Alta California and Nuevo México that claim allegiance to the United States, the Confederate States are considered renegade and the claim of Nuevo México territory is regarded with outright hostility.
Alliances: The Emperor is strongly allied to France, with alliances to Britain and Spain to a lesser degree.

Deseret
Government: Representative Democracy (Theocracy)
Capital: Great Salt Lake City
Nationality: Mormon
Chief of State: President Brigham Young
Exports: Salt
Currency: Mormon Dollar
Disputes: Deseret asserts a territorial claim to broad stretches of land principally within the Mexican District of Alta California but also overlapping the United States' Oregon Territory. Neither nation recognizes such claims nor the legitimacy of Deseret.
Alliances: Deseret is recognized as a sovereign nation by the CSA. Diplomatic missions have been exchanged and a mutually beneficial exchange of arms for hard currency exists.

Sequoya
Government: Tribal Democracy
Capital: New Echoa
Nationality: Sequoyahn or by tribal identity
Chief of State: None
Exports: Cotton
Currency: None
Disputes: None
Alliances: Sequoyah disavows any political or military alliances though it has strong economic ties and linkages with both the US and Texas. The Confederacy is still viewed with suspicion though current borders and economic conditions result in little interaction between the two.

New Orleans
Government: Democracy
Capital: New Orleans
Nationality: N'orleaner
Chief of State: Mayor Philippe Martin
Exports: rice, fish, freshwater pearls
Currency: Francs
Disputes: The mayor is careful not to be overly enthusiastic with the home government's international policies, suspicious of resentful parties in the CSA over the cessation of western Louisiana to Texas and the partitioning off of New Orleans as a French city-state.
Alliances: Aligned with México

Dominion of Canada
Government: Parliamentary
Capital: Ottowa
Nationality: Canadian
Chief of State: Prime Minister Niles Bedford
Exports: timber, furs, fish, processed meats
Currency: Pounds Sterling
Disputes: None, though some animosity remains between the New England states and the Dominion
Alliances: Observes alliances of the United Kingdom

British Territories
Government: Territorial
Capital: None
Nationality: Canuck or by tribal identity
Chief of State: None
Exports: timber, furs, fish
Disputes: None
Alliances: None

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