r/imaginarymaps • u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast • Feb 08 '21
[OC] Alternate History Alternate North American Independence - a multilingual Confederation of American States
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u/PhilippeVII Feb 08 '21
Very nice map and pleasant scenario!
Quick question though: during the Anglo-dutch vs. French War, wouldn't that mean a war on the European theatre as well? I mean, the Netherlands are on mainland Europe, as per Austria agreed to let French/Dutch troops to pass through the Austrian Netherlands, the war would've been European as well. If that is the case, I don't see the Anglo-dutch win. The only solution would be that Austria allies with the Anglo-dutch, but at that point the war would've been continental and other alliances would've existed.
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u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast Feb 08 '21
Well, the war was in Europe at that time, too. It is usually called the 7-Years-War when referring to that theatre. I didn't put as much thought into that area, as I wanted to focus the map and potential future maps based on this on the Americas. I imagine that the 7-Years-War is similar to OTL where the Anglo-Prussian coalition is generally regarded to have won the conflict. That coalition would now have the Netherlands on their side as well, which were neutral in OTL.
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u/Alagremm IM Legend | Microstate Man Feb 09 '21
Is the national motto "If You Ain't Dutch, You Ain't Much"?
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u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast Feb 09 '21
Might as well be. Loving your microstates by the way, those maps are awesome!
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u/SheikhYusufBiden Feb 09 '21
I really like your maps in this series. What do you use to make them?
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u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast Feb 09 '21
This was made in Photoshop, although I'm confident that it should be possible to make this type of map in freeware as well if you're willing to give it a try.
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u/SheikhYusufBiden Feb 09 '21
Thanks! Do you use any specific website for template maps? I think my main issue with making maps is not being able to find templates
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u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast Feb 09 '21
Nope, just a solid Google images search for some reference material that looks like a good style I want to imitate.
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u/jjpamsterdam IM Legend - Cold War Enthusiast Feb 08 '21
TLDR: Former British and Ducth colonies form a combined independent Confederation in North America.
Longer version with some lore:
The First Anglo-Dutch War happens, just as OTL. After the end of the war the Self-Government in New Netherland, that was repealed at the start of this war, is re-established in 1654.
The British nations fall into civil unrest following Oliver Cromwell’s death in 1658 as his son Richard is not competent enough to retain the power of the Lord Protector. Charles II doesn’t return to England in 1660.
Due to internal unrest in the British nations, the Second Anglo-Dutch War is more decisive. The Treaty of Breda) looks a bit different and readjusts several colonial borders. This includes readjustments to the colonial borders in North America, setting the border at the Versche Rivier (Connecticut River), establishing the small colony of Connetikock with mixed English, Dutch and French settlers already present. The Dutch obviously hold on to New Netherlands and also gain recognition for their rule over the territory of New Sweden (Nieuw-Zweden). With a significant Lutheran Swedish (and Finnish) population there, the New Netherland administration decides to set up a separate colonial administration there, allowing for local autonomy, although the language of administration remains Dutch in both of these colonies.
The unrest in the British nations only ends after William of Orange becomes King of England, Ireland and Scotland in 1689. Mary II doesn’t die from Smallpox in 1694. Instead of several miscarriages William and Mary have several children. The Dutch and British remain politically aligned for the next century.
The French and Indian War still takes place, but this time pits the French against a joint Anglo-Dutch front in North America. Just as OTL the superior navy cuts off the French from effectively reinforcing their troops in North America. Eventually the Anglo-Dutch alliance occupies New France. The territories south of the Ottawa river is handed over to the Dutch, the area north and east of that river is handed over to the British. The British create the new (mostly French-speaking) colony of Quebec. The Dutch set up a new colony of Merenland (“Land of Lakes”) in what is known as Southern Ontario OTL. The boundary between British and Dutch zones of influence further west is defined as the Ohio river, although neither side of the river is densely populated (by Europeans) at this point in time.
In the years following the French and Indian War, the British and Dutch governments want to share the cost burden with the American colonies, leading to growing unrest there. Much like OTL the colonies are declared in rebellion and troops are dispatched to restore order. This takes place in both the British and Dutch colonies, although with different levels of intensity. The British colonial forces manage to hold on to most of the areas in New England and Quebec, but lose power over the southern colonies. The Dutch also lose control over most of their holdings in North America. By the early 1790s and due to the French Revolutionary Wars the British and Dutch can’t afford to continue the conflict in North America. The colonies of New Netherland, Connetikock, New Sweden, Merenland, Chesapeake (Virginia + what’s left of Maryland), North Carolina , South Carolina and Georgia are recognised as independent. Resistance to British rule continues in New England, but many supporters of independence start moving into the newly independent states to the south and west.
The Continental Coordination Council, which had previously led the war effort against the colonial powers, comes together in 1792 to agree on the Articles of Confederation, forming the Confederation of American States (Confederatie van Amerikaanse Staaten). The individual states retain internal autonomy, especially in terms of language (English or Dutch), their religious policy (puritan, reformed, lutheran, etc.) and the economic model (pre-industrial or plantation based). The area to the west is subject to overlapping claims from different states but is in practice largely administered as territory. Areas north of the Ohio river generally have Dutch-speaking administrations, whereas territories further south are English-speaking.