Talk:Pennsylvania (13 Fallen Stars)

Columbia: the unification of Maryland and Pennsylvania

 * DO NOT EDIT THIS SECTION! --NuclearVacuum (Talk) 01:17, July 6, 2012 (UTC)

and (not to mention Delaware) would find themselves in a tight situation, lying between the growing powers of  to the north and  to the south. Prior to 1800, there were talks between Pennsylvania and New York on a potential union (which died after the Vermont War), and Maryland was already being culturally divided based on the slavery issue and more ties with Virginia (not to mention Delaware being re-annexed into Pennsylvania shortly after the collapse of the confederation).

The best way to describe the two regions is that they are the Paraguays of North America. Despite having the infamous dividing them, there would exist a genuine interest to unite. Pennsylvania would gain [more] access to the Atlantic Ocean, while Maryland would gain access to Pennsylvania's natural resources. With the potential inclusion of the, this new nation would be even bigger. While it would be nowhere near its neighbors, it would be better than two separate nations.

For this new nation, I have chosen the name "Columbia." Initially a temporary name, I have grown on this name being a really good one because:


 * 1) There is no ' or ', leaving the name unique.
 * 2)  is a personification of the Americas. While any of the colonies could identify themselves with Columbia, Pennsylvania and Maryland strike out as the best candidates. Pennsylvania is an open colony of many ideas, and Maryland is literally called "America in Miniature."
 * 3) The  would be within the country.

Connecticut joins twice?
With no confederation able to prevent conflict within the newly independent colonies, the Connecticut settlers in the Wyoming Valley reemerge as a problem for Pennsylvania. While it was unsure as to what would come of the situation, it became clear to the New England government that it would be a tragedy to loose Pennsylvania as an enemy. Since gaining independence, the New England states have gone into three wars. First the Revolutionary War, then the with New York, and finally the  with Virginia. While winning all three (and even gaining British support for the later two), New England would be in a real pickle if war were to break out with Pennsylvania. In both the Vermont War and the Northwest War, Pennsylvania remained neutral. But, it was unclear if they would remain neutral any longer. There was growing support within New Netherland and Virginia towards a Pennsylvania ally, and Pennsylvania was goring anti-New England as the conflict with Connecticut settlers grows bigger.

It was feared that a future war with a tripartite pact between New Netherland, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; could be an end to New England control over the Northwest Territory (not to mention potential loss of New Englander territory itself). To prevent war, New England offers negotiations on the issue. What comes out is seen as a major step in the formation of Columbia, and alleviating the tensions in the region. Westmoreland (the state established by the Connecticut settlers) would gain provisional status, and the people would retain the rights to their land; but only on the grounds that they swear their allegiance to Pennsylvania. In the same agreement, the Western Reserve (held by Connecticut) was offered for Pennsylvania to purchase. After loosing their access to Lake Erie (with the Erie Triangle remaining in New York), Pennsylvania jumped at the offer. The reserve would become the Erie Territory.

Despite the New England-Pennsylvania relations becoming better, it would not save the Northwest Territory. While the region was under joint administration with Great Britain, New England's access was limited. Tensions with New Netherland and Virginia prevented land access. With the completion of the Erie Canal by New Netherland, New England would be greatly limited to use it due to bad relations. By the 1820s, it would become too costly to keep the region. As a means to gain definitive access to land that they could settle, New England agrees to sell their claim to Great Britain, in exchange for GB recognizing NE's border to with Nova Scotia and Quebec (i.e., the Aroostook border). Ironically, Great Britain would also loose the region after the Canadian revolution.

Unification
By the late 1820s, tensions between Maryland and Virginia would hit a high. To prevent war, Maryland would grow closer to Pennsylvania. In 1829, a proposal for unification would become a reality, as both states unite. Delaware would be granted state status shortly after the formation. Issues between Westmoreland and the western regions of Pennsylvania would eventually lead to the state being divided into three: Allegheny, Pennsylvania, and Wyoming. Erie would be admitted years later, and Chesapeake would split off from Maryland shortly after that.

Maryland would retain slavery, only to peacefully abolish it decades later.

States

 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)
 * (formerly Westmoreland)