Posted on 11/29/2012 5:27:14 PM PST by djf
This question originally appeared on Quora. It was taken from Quora's "hypothetical battles" topic, where readers "can ask questions and get answer on fighting that wouldn't likely or ever happen in real life."
Answer by Jon Davis, veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, sergeant in the U.S. Marine Corps:
These are the accounts of the Second American Civil War, also known as the Wars of Reunification and the American Warring States Period. ... Here are the states that held the greatest strategic value from day one. They have the ability to be self-sufficient, economic strength, military strength, the will to fight, and the population to support a powerful war machine.
California Texas New York
Others that have many of the qualities that gave them an advantage are also listed.
Washington Colorado Illinois Virginia Florida Georgia
Excerpted... read the rest at link!
(Excerpt) Read more at slate.com ...
I think three Trident subs are based at Bangor.
Each has what, 24 MIRV’d missiles?
Do you really want to argue firepower?
” but what happens when a bunch of Texans starts shooting at them?”
They’d cry.
Call me homesick.
You think that snow driving is a problem.
In Southern California, people don’t know how to drive when it is cloudy.
If there was a CW II Texas would be the focus of the Rebellion But Others states would join her—Louisiana (weak but they know how to party and make great food—they also have a great port city) Oklahoma (Lots of tough people, farmlands and oil)
Mississippi (Lots of southern Tradition and farms) New Mexico, Lots of tradition, Arizona, (The stand alone state) Many illegals would join up in the new Nation at the promises of Citizenship in the Constitutionalist States of America. Maybe more of old Dixie would join save Florida and Virginia. Who would be the First President of the New CSA? I say Newt G. or Ron Paul! I think Alaska will join as an independent ally —Sarah Palin as President of the Alaskan Republic. Maybe join Canada! or seek help from Russia.
Wow, this thread’s already degenerating into “my state can kick your state’s ass”...
I”m thinking if a civil war breaks out in the US, the illegals will more than likely stay home (in Mexico)
And John Bell Hood was the worst general in the Confederacy.
He single handed destroyed a large portion of the Confederacy’s Armies.
I think Nathan Bedford Forrest said something like he would have killed Hood if he knew what he was going to do at Nashville.
“California was doing well, relatively speaking. Though there was damage done to the major cities, they enjoyed a good deal of time to rebuild. Their troops were stationed along the divide. Border tensions began to build until a small town skirmish in Wyoming escalated the war to its peak.”
Just blather. Once the lights went out, the urban leeches would shatter most CA cities in a week. Two at most. (Would suck for me because I live near CA.)
“California was doing well, relatively speaking. Though there was damage done to the major cities, they enjoyed a good deal of time to rebuild. Their troops were stationed along the divide. Border tensions began to build until a small town skirmish in Wyoming escalated the war to its peak.”
Just blather. Once the lights went out, the urban leeches would shatter most CA cities in a week. Two at most. (Would suck for me because I live near CA.)
Texas. It has the resources, zeal and population.
Degenerating? Isn’t that part of the fun?
Sounds like you've selected the Castro as your objective. Lock & load!
“Call me homesick. “
______________________________
Well, I can be homesick for Tennessee, but not for the USSA.
I do not see ever returning, as I am in a new life.
California would disintegrate into internal civil war over the necessity for off shore drilling.
“In Southern California, people don’t know how to drive when it is cloudy.”
I can attest to that. When I lived in SoCal, the newcast on every station in LA was broadcasting the “Storm Watch!” every time the area got a tenth of an inch of rain.
Reading it again, I have a few observations. First, I am actually impressed by the detail and will be digging up the Quora source to read the entire thing. However, I think there are some variables not accounted for that could shift their results.
1. It accounts for the fighting forces being just military population when accounting for power balances. States like Texas are blessed with both a large military population and an armed civilian population, but there are some states like Pennsylvania that are being underestimated due to the percentage of the civilian population armed. (Hunting culture).
2. I believe alliances would build a lot faster than estimated here. I think with Texas, for example, you would have an almost immediate alliance with Oklahoma (assumed in this article) as well as Arkansas and Louisiana. Oklahoma would also then domino to alliances with Nebraska and Kansas. A Louisiana alliance would quickly bring in Mississippi. There would be less fighting to establish this central Republic.
3. There is an over-estimation of people’s state loyalties. Not every state has populations willing to fight under their State’s flag. You would find loyal populations to their State in Texas, New York, Alaska, Tennessee, and a few others, but I doubt that as many would be willing to fight for their State in places like Oregon. You also would have quick divisions in States where there is a cultural divide with high density population centers and rural areas. California would be quickly split as would New York and Michigan. The agriculture and production areas won’t be as willing to support the high density population areas that aren’t contributing back.
4. Texas stand-alone power grid. It will quickly bring in more alliances.
5. Lack of accounting for international involvement. Assuming other countries wouldn’t be involved is a mistake. Many countries are dependent on the US and will want a quick stake in who they suppose will be the victor. The Texas Republic that would include much of the heartland and the nation’s agriculture exports, would quickly gain alliances from Central and South America as well as, of all places, Africa, where it supplies a large amount of grain. California would have Asia support, probably to a less extent than Texas would have from the rest of the Americas though. Much of Europe would ally with the North East States except Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic which would surprisingly ally with Texas. (from personal observations regarding of how the people there view Texans). Canada would probably split along with the US, allying with States of whom they have strong economic ties.
6. Middle Eastern nations may become involved to try to secure ports and infrastructure so they can continue to sell oil. They will also be involved in destabilizing other areas. I can see Saudi Arabia possibly providing some support to Virginia, California, and Texas. They would probably quickly sell resource support to the highest bidder and cut off the others.
7. Texas doesn’t just have her own oil fields and access to the Gulf (a lot of States have oil fields) but what we have is a lot more exploration and production companies based here. That may be another deciding factor in greater alliances from States who don’t have their own energy infrastructure.
8. The Mississippi and other river-ways may also provide more strategic influence and create more allies than is estimated here. The Mississippi doesn’t do much good to the South if St. Louis finds a way to dam her and redirect much of her flow.
9. Loyalties to corporations may over-ride some State loyalties, especially for corporations that supply national communications infrastructure. States may be bidding for corporate loyalty to keep some of these services flowing. Verizon could become the next Umbrella Corporation.
I can probably think of a lot more... I’m sure this will be an epic thread.
He asked about ordnance!
I answered!
l-)
I disagree.
That would be SF and LA proper but not the rest of the state.
The perception of CA is based on SF and LA proper, it is not the state as a whole.
Driving falls apart when it gets cloudy in So. Cal., but if it actually rains, then it is best just to stay home and lock the doors.
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