Timeline (50 States of Freedom)

8 November
Donald Trump wins the presidential election, however he fails to win the popular vote, which goes to Hillary Clinton. Many Americans, especially those living in large metropolitan areas are unhappy with the result. The Canadian immigration website crashes due to high demand.

23 November
Leader of the Green Party Jill Stein demands a recount in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania and Michigan, insisting that those states had been tampered with.

6 December
Colorado voters attempt to file a lawsuit in federal court to have the state law binding them to the electoral calendar overturned. This was the start of the unity problems.

12 December
US District Judge Paul Diamond rejects Jill Stein's recount proposal in Pennsylvania and Michigan, claiming that outside interference "borders on irrational."

6 January
Days before he leaves office, Barack Obama concludes that the Russian government interfered with the elections.The government's intelligence agencies begin investigating the matter further.

10 January
*Point of Divergence*

A bill reaches Congress from and unknown sender, which has made its way through a committee. The bill allows any state to hold a referendum if they wish to secede from the country. The bill also states that a simple majority is not enough, at least 55% of the people must vote to leave for the bill to take affect.

11 January
After a day of debating, the bill is passed through Congress by a margin of 220 out of 435. It is sent to the senate for a final reviewing.

12 January
The Senate narrowly approves the bill, Garnering support in Democratic voting states, Texas and Florida. Many republican senators are angered by this and resign out of protest. However many do not as those in states like Louisiana and Alabama "Refuse to leave a position of the government over something so pointless."

13 January
The conference committee begins working on the details of the bill, now dubbed the "Exit Bill."

17 January
The conference committee agrees on the final draft for the bill. It is sent back to the House and the Senate. It receives approval, as many edits have been made to appease the Republican senators and Congressmen.

18 January
Barack Obama receives the bill, however declares he "needs a day to think." President Obama is is a tough position, as he doesn't want to be remembered as the man who broke up the United States, however he understands the importance of the bill based on the election's results.

19 January
One day before he leaves office, Barack Obama signs the Exit Bill.