Lincoln (1983: Doomsday)

Lincoln is a state of the Provisional United States of America, formed out of the ten northern (panhandle) counties of the former state of Idaho, USA. It was formed as

a result of the destruction of the government in Boise, Idaho, on September 25, 1983. Historically, however, the area had a closer afinity to the peoples of northeast Washington state to its west.

History
The northern ten counties of the panhandle of the former state of Idaho has been occupied in prehistoric times by the Nimi-ipuu ("Real People" -- misnamed "Nez Perce" by a French interpreter). Later, from perhaps 500 BC on, the Schitsh'umsh (Skitswish) tribe began to utilize the lush prairies, hills and mountains, with their lakes and rivers, to gather a rich variety of fish and game. The name they called themselves simply meant "the people who are found here." The French fur-traders called them the Coeur d'Alene -- "Heart of an awl" -- perportedly for their shrews trading skills.

As part of the Oregon Territory, the area was claimed by both the United States and the British until 1946 when the US took sole possession of the territory. In 1849, when Oregon became a state, Idaho was excluded, becoming a part of the Washington Territory. In 1863, the Idaho Territory was formed out of parts of what would become Idaho, Montana and Wyoming. The first permanent settlement by Americans was Lewiston, incorporated in 1861. It was the territorial capital until the capita was moved to Boise in 1864. At that time it was proposed that the panhandle be designated a separate state, but the proposal failed to gain traction.

By 1870, the territory of the indigenous Skitswish people was reduced from over four million acres (in parts of three states) to a mere 600,000 acres (15% of the original territory). By the twentieth century, after Idaho had became a state in 1890, the Coeur d'Alene Indian Reservation had been cut to 345,000 acres (539 sq mi) near Plummer, south of Coeur d'Alene. The proud Nimi-ipuu, once occupying the vast Columbia River Plateau, fared better 1,195.1 square miles (3,095 km2)

In 1901, some in Congress wanted to form a state called "Lincoln" to incorporate Eastern Washington and the panhandle. At the same time, a proposal was being floated to combine the panhandle and northwest Montana into the state of Koontenai. And then, in the late 1920's it was proposed that the name "Lincoln" be given to a state stretching from mid-Washington to the continental divide. It was not until after 1983 that both Lincoln and Kootenai would become states in their own right.

In the twentieth century, Idaho becomes known as a state with an independent spirit. Early on, it embraced a progressive, forward-thinking attitude. In the first decade, Idaho became the home of a network of national forests coverning half the state. In 1914, Moses Alexander became the first Jewish governor in the United States. And in 1917 the state's constitution was amended to prohibit the consumption of alcoholic beverages almost three years before the US constitution was so amended. In 1918, the Non-partisan League replaced the Democratic Party, staging a take-over of local politics by a "third party" much like the one that Theodore Roosevelt had represented on his second run for the presidency. In 1919 fifty-one state departments were consolidated into only nine, affectively streamlining and, arguably, simplifying government.

The next twenty years found Idaho modernizing at a steady rate, adding railroads and a state highway system. Additionally, a system of Junior (or Community) colleges was developed, starting with North Idaho College, started in 1933. Prohibition, having started before the national law, lasted longer as well, ending in 1935. Meanwhile, in politics, primaries were opened to all voters without need to declare affiliation. Also, non-partisan election of judges began. Having seen local "martial law" declarations in the 30's, the state established the Idaho State Police in 1939.

Idaho was a center of controversy in the war years and beyond. Interment camps for Japanese-Americans were set up near Hunt, and Nuclear testing was done near Arco. The nuclear testing, though, was not for bombs, but rather for power generation, proving to many that the force of the need not be used only for destructive purposes. On the labor front, riots were curtailed somewhat as voters defeated measures by business to establish "right to work" laws aimed at busting unions.

In the final years as a united state, Idaho sees the end of passenger train service in 1966, and political uncertainty plagues the state. Further advances in enviromental concern bring big changes. Nature itself, seems to turn against the state, sending volcanic ash to blanket the panhandle in 1980. Feeling the uncertainty of the times, voters pass a record eight constitutional ammendments in 1982, and the governor cuts the work week of government employees to four-days for months to try to balance the budget. As a sales tax increase is imposed to cover the deficit, the local governments in the panhandle passed resolutions to succeed from Idaho.

Section heading
Write the second section of your article here.