United States (Quebec Independence)

The United States of America (USA), commonly known as the United States, America, or the Union, is a large federal republic located in North America. It is bordered by Quebec, Canada, and Alyeska to the north, the Confederate States of America and Mexico to the south, and Pacfica to the west. On the east it is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the west it is bordered by the Pacific.

The United States is one of most prosperous nations in the world. It became independent from Great Britain in 1783 after the American Revolutionary War, which was the first successful revolution against a European colonial empire. The Constitution is the oldest and shortest constitution, and guarantees many civil rights and freedoms. Driven by the desire of Manifest Destiny, the United States attempted to expand across North America during the 19th century, results in conflict between America, Britain, and other nations in North America. The American Civil War resulted in the independence of the Confederacy. World Wars I and II cemented America's role as a global military and economic power. Today, America is a global leader in culture, economics, military, technology, and science.

Colony and Independence
The United States was growing prosperous and restless. The British, angered at the loss of its colonies, looked for anyway to halt American expansionism, while the War Hawks hoped for war with Great Britain and dominance of America on the continent. Following several incidents including skirmishes between the two nations' navies and Native Americans, the United States, under James Madison, declared war on Great Britain, beginning the War of 1812. The war had mixed results; on the positive, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia were added to the nation; on the downside, Indian and British raids had devastated western America, the British blockaded the coastline, grinding the economy to a halt, and in one terrible incident, the White House and other government buildings were torched. Still, Americans were satisifed with the results, resulting in the decline of the Federalist Party and the Era of Good Feelings.

Madison's successors, James Monroe and John Quincy Adams, enacted the Monroe Plan, which encouraged the growth of the economy, industry, and infrastructure. All across the north, factories sprung up, new mines and schools were built, and roads connected the major cities. The first railroad system in the Americas connected Washington with New York. Railroads, along with new canals, increased the trade and productivity of the nation. James Monroe issued the Monroe, which forbid European powers from creating new colonies in the Americas. However, America lacked a navy to back these claims up, and the European nations soon looked to South America to increase the size of their empires.

Expansion and Division
War hero Andrew Jackson was elected President in 1828 for the Nationalist Party, and promoted the expansion of America and the decentralization of the American government. Jackson kept ties with Quebec and strengthened the two nations alliance. Jackson also promoted the removal of Native Americans to Indian territories near Texas, known as the Trail of Tears. Jackson's successor, Martin van Buren, would continue his policies, though the Panic of 1837 cost him re-election. At this time, Nationalists, who believed in the expansion of America across the continent. The goal was known as the Manifest Destiny. Nationalist candidate James K. Polk led the successful Mexican War of 1846, bringing Texas in the United States, and helped support the Republic of Pacifica. However, the Nationalists were opposed by the abolitionists, who feared that southern states would soon have greater power than the north because of the newly acquired Mexican territory. To counterbalance the Nationalists, the Republican Party was formed.

However, the ties between North and South were breaking, due to the "peculiar institution" of slavery, and states' rights. Arguments broke out between the industrial abolitionists of the north and the agrarian plantation owners of the south. President Millard Fillmore, after assuming the role when Zachary Taylor died, die little to defuse the situation. His Compromise of 1850 only managed to delay the fight. The Nationalist Party continued to promote expansion and industrialization, while free states and slaves argued. In 1856, the North managed to elect Republican John C. Fremont, a staunch abolitionist. Fremont failed to end the feud and relieve tensions and put pressure on the south to end slavery. Angered, the southern states seceed in late 1858, forming the Confederate States of America. Fremont declared secession illegal, and sent the army to put the rebellion down. But by that point, many officers had moved to the south to support the Confederacy, with thousands of southerners raising arms. In early 1860, the Confederates bombarded Fort Sumter, beginning the American Civil War.

Civil War
Despite the best efforts of the Union, the Confederacy managed the gain independence. Though they were outnumbered, outmanned and lacked in industry, the south made up for it with great generals such as Robert E. Lee and Thomas "Stonewall" Jackson, better soldiers, and the fact they only had to defend their territory and wait for a nation to recognize it. The Union managed to blockade the Confederacy, who needed to import materials and equipment. Fremont promises a quick end to the war, which led to re-election in 1860. However, the war soon became a stalemate, until Confederate troops managed to win a series of decisive victories in the north. This, coupled with rising tensions between the US and Canada and Pacifica, resulted in them declaring their support for the Confederacy. The Royal Navy broke up the blockade, and Fremont was forced to call for peace and recognize the independence of the south in 1862.

Rebuilding
Fremont left the White House in disgrace in 1864, when the Nationalists, led by Andrew Johnson, came to power. Johnson's goal was to mend relations and appease the Confederacy and Great Britain, which met some success. Horatio Seymour continued his policies, with many of the country's citizens noticing his gentleness and appealing nature. However, this angered some citizens, who wished to have revenge on the Confederacy. In 1878, Congress became divided between the Republicans and Nationalists. In 1880, James G. Blaine defeated Samuel Tilden to become president. Blaine promoted a hardline approach to dealing with the Confederacy and England. Tensions boiled between the United States and England over the Oregon Territory, which the British claimed to govern.