Alternative History
Republic of Kanawha
Timeline: The Pandemic

OTL equivalent: West Virginia, portions of surrounding states
Flag Seal
Flag Seal
Location of Kanawha
Map of Kanawha
Motto
Montani semper liberi (Latin)
("Mountaineers Are Always Free")
Anthem "Take Me Home, Country Roads"
Capital Charleston
Largest city Charleston
Other cities Huntington, Morgantown, Parkersburg, Wheeling
Language English
Religion Christianity
Demonym Kanawhan
Population 745,295 (2020 estimate)

734,780 (2017 census) 

Established September 22, 2007
Currency Kanawhan dollar
Time Zone UTC-5
  summer UTC-4
Driving Side Right
Calling Code +65
Internet TLD .ka

Kanawha, officially the Republic of Kanawha, is a survivor community that encompasses the entirety of the former American state of West Virginia, one of only three states that retained a functioning state government following the Great Pandemic, and surrounding areas. It is primarily situated within the Appalachian Mountains of eastern North America, and borders four other survivor states: Roanoke to the south and east, the Tri-Cities Union to the southeast, Pennsylvania to the northeast, and Kentucky to the west. Charleston serves as both its capital and most populous city, and the nation is home to approximately 734,000 residents.

West Virginia was admitted to the Union following the 1861 Wheeling Convention, held shortly after the beginning of the American Civil War, in which delegates from the region that at the time composed the northwestern portion of Virginia assembled in an attempt to repeal the Ordinance of Secession. Unsuccessful, they formed a restored state government of Virginia, and were soon granted statehood.

During the Grand Pandemic, the state fared quite well in comparison to many of its neighbors. Approximately 81% of its population was infected with Pandemic H5N1/04, and 59% died -- a significantly lower mortality rate than the majority of the world. It is thought that a less lethal strain of the virus was more prevalent in West Virginia. The state government remained functional even after the collapse of the American government, and West Virginia became one of the first survivor communities in North America to declare itself an independent nation during the 2007 Charleston Convention. The following year, a referendum would change the nation's name to Kanawha.

The nation contains some degree of geographic and geologic diversity, with landscapes ranging from the ancient Blue Ridge and Allegheny Mountains to the deeply dissected Allegheny Plateau and the Ohio River Valley. The majority of the state has a humid subtropical climate, while oceanic and warm-summer humid continental climates prevail in the eastern highland regions.

History[]

Pre-Great Pandemic[]

Archaeological evidence indicates that present-day Kanawha was inhabited by mound builder cultures beginning several thousand years ago. These societies had a tribal trade system that crafted and utilized cold-worked copper pieces. Later in the state’s history, it was inhabited by the Siouan-speaking peoples. During the Beaver Wars, they were driven out of the region by the powerful Iroquois Confederacy, who aimed to secure the Ohio River Valley as a hunting ground.

During the 18th century, the region became contested territory between the British colonies of Virginia and Pennsylvania. Several speculative land corporations, such as the Vandalia, Ohio, and Indiana Companies, unsuccessfully attempted to legitimize claims to portions of West Virginia and Kentucky, but following the American Revolutionary War, the region was annexed by Virginia and became the state’s Trans-Allegheny Region. 

Many residents of the region vehemently disagreed with Virginia’s decision to secede from the Union and join the Confederate States. Under Francis Pierrepont, residents of Trans-Allegheny Virginia set up a separate government. Most of its members voted to separate from Virginia, and the region rejoined the Union as the state of West Virginia in 1863.

From the late 19th century to the mid-20th century, the economy of West Virginia heavily relied on mineral resources -- which were extremely plentiful within its borders. Potassium nitrate was used for munitions, limestone rock was used to produce industrial lime, and coal was used in power plants. Railroads would also soon become an integral part of West Virginia's economy, and it was somewhat of an industrial powerhouse during the mid-20th century.

The Great Pandemic[]

West Virginia was infected fairly late compared to the rest of the United States. Its first case of Pandemic H5N1/04 was confirmed in a 59-year-old man from Morgantown on February 13, 2005. The man died of pneumonia approximately a week after his case was confirmed, and it was later estimated that he may have personally infected more than 150 individuals.

The availability of lab tests and other medical supplies such as ventilators and face masks would prove to be a major problem for the state of West Virginia during the Great Pandemic. It is estimated that as many as 70% of healthcare workers who tended to the infected would become infected themselves, and hospitals across the state were rapidly overwhelmed. Employees handcrafted their own face masks, hospital corridors and even parking lots were converted into ICUs, and medical equipment was sanitized with unsafe products.

It is estimated that approximately 81% of West Virginia's population was infected with Pandemic H5N1/04, and of those, approximately 59% died. The state had a much lower fatality rate that its neighbors. It is unknown why this was the case, although it is presumed that a less lethal strain of the virus was the most prevalent in West Virginia.

Post-Pandemic and Establishment[]

West Virginia, along with the states of Wyoming, North Dakota, and Alaska, was one of only four American states that retained a functional state government following the pandemic. This put the region at an advantage following the collapse of the federal government in Washington.

Demographics[]

Economy[]

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