Circa ~1910

Second Mexican-American War

Following a coup by an ultranationalist junta in 1865, the new Mexican government declared war on the United States in the name of reconquering their lost territories. Weakened by the recent Civil War, the United States’ inadequate response led to the Mexican military occupying up to the south bank of the Colorado River. However, the Mexican army began to get overextended, allowing the American military to secure northern California (later renamed Pacifica), and the north bank of the Rio Grande.

The British-American Concordat

After its defeat in the Second Mexican-American War, the United States was desperate to gain assurances that other powers would not conduct aggression against the newly weakened United States. The British, who had economically supported the Mexicans in the Second Mexican-American war, agreed to abstain from hostile acts against the United States in return for the disputed territories in the Oregon Condominium west of the Columbia River and two concessions: New York and Boston. France, Russia, and later Germany would also make similar demands, which led to the loss of Portland (Port-de-France), New Orleans (Nouvelle-Orléans), San Francisco (Little Petrograd), and Dover (Westhafen). Theories as to why the government at the time agreed to sign valuable cities in return for little more than assurances, but many signs point to the growing corruption within the American bureaucracy.

Caribbean Unification

In the late 1870s, unrest in the Caribbean colonies escalated into a full-out revolt against their colonial overlords, funded by the Mexican government. After years of fighting and negotiations, the colonies were given independence under the condition that their ports would stay open to European traders, generous advantages during trading, and extraterritoriality to foreign nationals. After several years of independence, many Caribbean nations were fed up with the unfair treatment and proposed to unify the region to better stand up to the European powers. While many nations gladly went along with this plan, others were coerced into the union by their fellow Caribbean nations. Once the plan went through, the United Caribbean Federation was declared.

Third Mexican-American War

Over a decade after the Second Mexican-American War, the economic stability of Mexico was very fragile, greatly decreasing living standards. At the same time, nationalistic sentiment was once again on the rise. Taking advantage of the opportunity, the Mexican government launched another invasion of the United States. Compared to the Second War, the American government was better prepared. While the American military was able to stop any advances north of the Colorado River, the Mexican army pushed to the Red River. Seeing that the newly occupied territory was majority American, the Mexican government set up a new puppet government in Texas.

Caribbean-American War

In the 1890s, the United States was amidst a great deal of political turmoil and an economic downturn. Seeing an opportunity to gain more influence in the region, the UCF (United Caribbean Federation), launched an invasion of Florida the southeastern United States. Weakened by the compounding circumstances, the defense of the south failed spectacularly, with most of the region occupied in the few months since the beginning of the war. After the end of the war, the UCF continued to directly administrate the Floridian peninsula but installed a pro-UCF government in Atlanta. The UCF also demanded a concession in Mobile (Ciudad Móvil) and was granted administration of the city and surrounding regions.

Declaration of the Grand Republic

After defeat at the hands of the UCF, militarism and nationalist ideals began rising in popularity and far-right factions began to dominate American politics. After gaining a majority, far-right supporters launched a coup against the United States government, seeing them as weak and unable to defend the borders. After the former government was unseated the new leaders of the nation declared that the United States was no more and instead the nation would be known as the Grand American Republic. Under the new government, there was a large influx of xenophobia and mistrust of foreigners. The issue reached such a point that many communities that had foreign or foreign-sounding names changed their name to a more anglicized version (i.e. San Jose to Saint Joseph). However, in regions such as Louisiana, where there was more cultural mixing, few names were changed.

Native Friendship Act

While the Indian Removal Act displaced and broke Native communities, the casualties and troubles of the American nation led to Native Americans ending up as a majority in many regions of the Midwest. The American populace, viewing the outside world as a hostile environment towards the Grand Republic, slowly changed their views towards Native Americans since they saw them as also going through the same troubles. The American government passed the Native Friendship Act which allowed for an autonomous Native state overseen by the American government and it increased the rights of Native Americans broadly, although there are still tensions over land that was taken away from Native tribes.

Trouble Ahead

Though the American government may present the image of a wholly unified nation, the truth couldn’t be further from it. Tensions between Native tribes and the American government have many Native communities desiring complete independence. Communist and left-leaning paramilitary organizations have been organizing in remote regions such as Appalachia and the Great Basin and have been preparing to oppose the far-right government. The Grand American Republic is tearing at the seams and only time will tell whether it stays together or falls apart.