American Synthesis

'''June 17th, 2092: Much of the United States had collapsed by 2037 following decades of economic stagnation and internal revolution. Following the collapse of the United States and large parts of the environment, powers would fight for power in the American Southwest. This is their story. This is American Synthesis.'''

California
California, officially the California Worker's Republic, is a Marxist-Leninist state located in the Southwestern United States. Founded in 2047 by Communist revolutionaries, the nation would prove to be a viable force against the Cascadian militias of the North. California would remain the dominant power of the Southwest until the conquests of Zion in the early 2050s. Following the expansion of ZIon in the 2050s and the loss of Davis in 2074, California has been experiencing a brief economic decline.

California's weakened economy has put them into a position where they are reliant on the People's Republic of China for material goods. Many farmers in the eastern part of the state were absorbed into Zion while Cascadia took over large hunting grounds and resource rich lands in the North. Secretary-General Jose Zaldivar has made efforts to revitalize the Californian Economy in a Five Year Plan which began in 2080, though the immediate effects of this plan have raised production of electronics and some urban farming, the long term effects of this project has led to slow yet consistent economic growth, with a full recovery expected by 2095.

Cascadia
The Union of Cascadia is a nation in the former American Northwest. It is made up of former US states like Oregon, Washington, Northern Idaho, Northern California, and Northwestern Nevada. The country itself is a union of loosely tied states and republics that are only unified to prevent conquest by Zion, Canada, or the Californian Communists. There are over 24 states and republics within Cascadia which have all their specific laws on governance and the economy, though their autonomy is limited by the unified Cascadian military. Despite no strong central government, the Cascadian Congress acts as a forum for the Republics within Cascadia to discuss national issues. Each republic sends 5 delegates, whether they are elected or selected is detemined by local Republic constitutions. The current speaker of the Congress is Xavier Johnson from the Republic of Tacoma.

Aztlán
The Liberated Commune of Aztlán (Spanish: Comuna liberada de Aztlán) is a libertarian socialist commune located in the former states of Arizona, New Mexico, and western Texas. The nation came into existence after decades of Hispanic persecution and poverty within American society. Despite Hispanics making up more and more of the population in the American southwest, they were still at an economic disadvantage compared to their White American counterparts. It was this poverty and inequality which would lead to the Chicano revolution in 2038 and the eventual establishment of Aztlán in 2041. There are anarchist elements which go into the governance including decentralized local governments and mutual aid programs. Currency has largely been abolished in smaller homstead communities but still plays a roll in major cities such as Phoenix and El Paso. Despite its communal nature, Aztlán has a strong central military due to the presence of Zion to the north. The commander-in-chief of Aztlán's military is Tezcacoatl Hernandez, who is liked by many for repelling Zion but is disliked by the many anarchists of Aztlán's population.

As Aztlán prepares for another attack from Zion, General Hernandez and his military have only gained more power since the 2080s onward. Many fear that Henandez will betray the Libertarian Socialist principles of Aztlán and threaten self-determination for the Hispanic and Latino population of the region.

Boise
Boise, officially the State of Boise, is a city-state nation based throughout the remnants of Southern Idaho and the northern portions of Utah and Wyoming. Boise's govenrment was the remnants of the government of Idaho following the collapse of the United States in the 2030s/2040s. Unlike Cascadia and Montana, Boise's government is an authoritarian one-party state. At the time of its formation, the Republican Party already had a supermajority within Idaho's legislature but a Democratic Governor. On June 18th, 2042; Governor Paulette Jordan would be murdered in a coup by the legislature; exiling Democrats and other domestic enemies in the state. The nation is now an Oligarchy with the Republican Party holding a stranglehold on the government in a military junta. Everyone in Boise is required to serve at least 2 years in the military, this is due to the threat Zion poses ever since Zion conquered Salt Lake City in 2055.

Montana
Montana, officially the United States of Montana, is a Constitutional Republic in the American North which claims to be the rightful successors of the United States government. Montana's territory consists of the entire former State of Montana as well as northern Idaho and parts of Wyoming. The flat and cold terrain of Montana has protected the country, making it an undesirable target for more powerful nations such as Zion and Cascadia. Montana's military largely consists of local militias and civilian gun-owners. Montana's geography has allowed for it to remain neutral in the greater conflicts between Zion and California.

Zion
Zion is a religious theocracy based in Zion Canyon and occupying large swaths of territory in the American Southwest. Formed in 2046 by canyon settlers and park rangers fleeing the collapse of the United States, the settlers in Zion would soon unify under the leadership of a man named Zion, a scholar from east of the Mississippi who would unify the unorganized settlers of Zion by 2046 and would lead Zion on a conquest that would oversee the conquest of several city-states, small nations, states, and Native American reservations. After a desicive victory over the Californian forces in the Battle of Las Vegas in 2060 would solidify Zion as a regional power whilst also breaking Californian hegemony in the region.

Zion was able to expand from a small village in the Zion Canyon was Zion's ability to recruit poor people who were disenfranchised by the collapse of the Federal government. Native American tribes like the Southern Paiute people were quick to join as they faced severe poverty and starvation. Recruitment of tribes and missionaries would strengthen Zion to a point where it was able to conquer neighboring regions and integrate the populations. While they have won their conflict in California, Zion continues to struggle to control their borders with California and Aztlán.